USF Elementary Education Lesson Plan Template (S 2014) Name: __Gabrielle

Schwarz__________________________________
Grade Level Being Subject/Content: Science Group Date of Lesson: February
Taught: Fourth Size: 27th, 2017
Whole

What Standards (national
or state) relate to this
lesson?
(You should include ALL
applicable standards. Rarely
do teachers use just one:
theyd never get through
them all.)
Lesson Content
SC.4.L.16.2: Explain that although characteristics of plants and animals are inherited,
come characteristics can be affected by the environment
SC.4.L.17.4: Recognize ways plants and animals, including humans, can impact the
environment
SC.4.N.3.1: Explain that models can be three dimensional, two dimensional, an
explanation in your mind, or a computer model (Hillsborough County School District.
Alien Zoo).

Essential Understanding How could we build an enclosure to meet the needs of an animal based upon
(What is the big idea or characteristics? (Hillsborough County School District. Alien Zoo).
essential question that you
want students to come away
with? In other words, what,
aside from the standard and
our objective, will students
understand when they finish
this lesson?)

Objectives- What are you

teaching? SWBAT apply what they know about animal characters to design, construct, and
(Student-centered: What will evaluate an enclosure to meet the animals physical needs
students know and be able to
do after this lesson? Include
the ABCDs of objectives:
action, behavior, condition,
USF Elementary Education Lesson Plan Template (S 2014) Name: __Gabrielle
Schwarz__________________________________
Grade Level Being Subject/Content: Science Group Date of Lesson: February
Taught: Fourth Size: 27th, 2017
Whole

and degree of mastery, i.e., (Hillsborough County School District. Alien Zoo).
"C: Given a sentence written
in the past or present tense,
A: the student B: will be able
to re-write the sentence in
future tense D: with no errors
in tense or tense contradiction
(i.e., I will see her
yesterday.)."
Note: Degree of mastery does
not need to be a percentage.)

Rationale
Address the following
questions:
Why are you teaching this
objective?
Where does this lesson fit
within a larger plan?
Why are you teaching it
this way?
Why is it important for
students to learn this
concept?
I am teaching this objective because not only does it match up with the current science
standards and curriculum for fourth grade but also allows my students incorporate STEM
into their learning and more abstract thinking. The students have learned a lot about
animals and life science throughout third grade, and we are currently re-entering the
realm of life science this upcoming week, so this is a sort of engage for my students.
Teaching the lesson this way helps to form my students critical thinking skills further and
gets them prepared for the heavy STEM curriculum ahead of them in middle and high
school.

Evaluation Plan- How will

you know students have
mastered your objectives?
Address the following:
What formative evidence
will you use to document
student learning during
Formative Assessment:
Anecdotal notes on student discussion
Student plans on enclosure
Responses to Questions
Summative Assessment:
Student Enclosure
USF Elementary Education Lesson Plan Template (S 2014) Name: __Gabrielle
Schwarz__________________________________
Grade Level Being Subject/Content: Science Group Date of Lesson: February
Taught: Fourth Size: 27th, 2017
Whole

this lesson?
What summative evidence
will you collect, either
during this lesson or in
upcoming lessons?

What Content Knowledge There must be general knowledge on different animal species and habitats, as well as the
is necessary for a teacher scientific method.
to teach this material?

What background I will have rich discussion with my students in order to grasp their prior knowledge on
knowledge is necessary for the subject area and will also take a sticky note in which they write any prior experiences
a student to successfully they have with animals and animal habitats.
meet these objectives?
The majority of my students are gifted (AGP), need to be challenged, and have a high
How will you ensure interest in science.
students have this
previous knowledge? Based on my knowledge of my students I feel as though they are ready for this content
Who are your learners? and it will provide them the challenge necessary to enrich their educational experience.
What do you know about
them?
What do you know about
their readiness for this
content?
USF Elementary Education Lesson Plan Template (S 2014) Name: __Gabrielle
Schwarz__________________________________
Grade Level Being Subject/Content: Science Group Date of Lesson: February
Taught: Fourth Size: 27th, 2017
Whole

What misconceptions
might students have about Students may confuse the different animal families (Ex. Amphibians and Reptiles)
this content?

Lesson Implementation
Teaching Methods Direct Instruction
(What teaching method(s) will Group work
you use during this lesson? Collaborative learning
Examples include guided
release, 5 Es, direct
instruction, lecture,
demonstration, partner word,
etc.)

Step-by-Step Plan Time
(What exactly do you plan to
do in teaching this lesson? Be
thorough. Act as if you needed
a substitute to carry out the 10
Who is Each content area may require a different step-by-step format. Use
responsibl whichever plan is appropriate for the content taught in this lesson.
e (Teacher For example, in science, you would detail the 5 Es here
or (Engage/Encountering the Idea; Exploring the Idea;
Students)? Explanation/Organizing the Idea; Extend/Applying the Idea;
USF Elementary Education Lesson Plan Template (S 2014) Name: __Gabrielle
Schwarz__________________________________
Grade Level Being Subject/Content: Science Group Date of Lesson: February
Taught: Fourth Size: 27th, 2017
Whole

lesson for you.) min Student Evaluation).

Write on sticky note prior knowledge regarding habitats and
Where applicable, be sure to 5 min Teacher animals. Put Sticky notes on chart paper and review.
address the following:
What Higher Order Introduce prompt to students: NASA astronauts have just returned
Thinking (H.O.T.) questions from a trip outside of our solar system. They have brought back two
will you ask? animals found on an alien planet. These animals have specific
How will materials be characteristics and specific needs. The astronauts will be delivering
distributed? 10 Teacher/St the animals to the Alien Zoo. Mr. Rodriguez from the Alien Zoo needs
Who will work together in min udent designs for enclosures to meet the animals needs
groups and how will you
determine the grouping? Teacher/St Introduce civil engineering to students/put in notebook
How will students 15 udent
transition between min
activities? Teacher/St Introduce idea of research, have students brainstorm in their table
What will you as the udents groups how they could research and what they should research in
teacher do? 20 order to build an enclosure
What will the students do? min
What student data will be Books/Video and discussion
collected during each
phase?
(Hillsborough County School District. Alien Zoo).
What are other adults in
the room doing? How are
they supporting students
learning?
What model of co-teaching
are you using?
What will you do if a student struggles with the content?
Provide that student a buddy, scaffold the student towards the critical points
through discussion
USF Elementary Education Lesson Plan Template (S 2014) Name: __Gabrielle
Schwarz__________________________________
Grade Level Being Subject/Content: Science Group Date of Lesson: February
Taught: Fourth Size: 27th, 2017
Whole

What will you do if a student masters the content quickly?

Allow the students to do more research or become a Peer Leader where they
go around and help to guide other students.

Meeting your students If applicable, how does this lesson connect to the interests and cultural
needs as people and as backgrounds of your students?
learners
I chose this design challenge because I thought my students would be
interested and engaged in it, we have class pets and the students love the
animals. I think the students will love the connection to animals.

If applicable, how does this lesson connect to/reflect the local community?
The area surrounding our school is full of nature and wildlife, growing the
students knowledge on different animals and habitats helps to increase
awareness of the world around them.

How will you differentiate instruction for students who need additional
challenge during this lesson (enrichment)?

Research an actual animal on earth that has similar traits to the animals
presented.

How will you differentiate instruction for students who need additional
language support?

I will read directions and provide more visual aids, while also emphasizing
group work.
USF Elementary Education Lesson Plan Template (S 2014) Name: __Gabrielle
Schwarz__________________________________
Grade Level Being Subject/Content: Science Group Date of Lesson: February
Taught: Fourth Size: 27th, 2017
Whole

Accommodations (If
needed) Student O may need more reminders and cues to stay on task. Will have moments that
(What students need specific she displays behavior that is below the maturity level of a fourth grader.
accommodation? List
individual students (initials),
and then explain the
accommodation(s) you will
implement for these unique
learners.)

Materials Hillsborough County Design Challenge: Animals-Alien Zoo, computer, science notebooks,
(What materials will you use? copies of civil engineer handouts, Books on animals and habitats, Myon, video links
Why did you choose these
materials? Include any
resources you used. This can
also include people!)

Lesson From:
Hillsborough County STEM Design Challenge: Alien Zoo