SCIENCE JOURNAL BLOG

STEM Strategies Lesson Plan – Week #2

 My first science journal blog is allowing me reflect on my STEM strategies lesson plan that I created for my, “Nature of Science” class (SCIE-6660), at Walden University.

 I thought the planning process (Instructional Plan Template) was very thorough, including areas I know that I think about but do not list when creating lesson plans.  I have to admit that I do not use a lesson plan format when I plan my lessons, like I did when I was in college.   I only had two administrators that requested weekly copies of my lesson plans; one of them was during my first year of teaching.  I am a firm believer in creating lesson plans throughout the year, and I do not have a problem with having someone verify its effectiveness, someone who is specialized in the same field of study.

My lesson had students investigating traits for six human characteristics beginning with a warm-up question and then a discussion of human variation and heredity.  Students then explored six characteristics; eye color, tongue rolling, double-joined fingers, PTC tasting, and height and arm span.  Students worked in groups (lab partners) completing a chart.  We then shared data as a class, students creating a bar graph of one selected characteristic.   We followed up with additional questions that highlighted variations among humans and identifying patterns from the different characteristics.  

 I can see how the Instructional Plan Template can make me a better teacher.  I like how I can reflect back on what I did and what I would change to make it better.  It takes a lot of time thinking about how to answer each part, making sure each area is used to its fullest.  I can see this process becoming easier with use; I can see educators becoming so familiar with this process it would make them more aware of what resources to use for a variety of learners.  I thought the 5 E’s Strategy was very helpful!  I first heard of it a couple of years ago while I was attending professional development in my district.  Elkhart has a science facility that supports its schools, it is called, Ethos, and it stands for “Education Through Hands on Science.”  We get help with our book adoptions, materials, lesson planning, and professional development and it is totally funded through donations and grant money.  The 5 E’s Strategy is similar to other lesson plan formats that ask for the objectives, anticipatory set, activity, assessment, and reflection on the lesson after it is completed.  I like the how all the words begin with the letter “E” and how they describe each part of the lesson.  I could see using the 5 E’s as a template for creating a lesson plan in most educational settings that do not have a lot of time for preparation.  My school does not have teaming and we meet after school 3 days a week.  I have 6 classes (2 preps) and I teach from 7:30 until 3:00 pm.    

 The lesson I created is part of the standards and benchmarks for the state of Indiana.  I planned it for an upcoming lesson and feel that I have made it practical and logical for my students.  I have all of the materials for its lab and the topic is grade level specific, allowing students to use their prior knowledge to continue building their skills.  Is it silly to say that I feel better prepared using it after teaching for ten years?

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