Context:

I created a lesson plan on plants in their environment. I created this lesson plan for my CI-3543 (Methods of Elementary Science Teaching for Scientific Literacy) in Block II. I taught this lesson at Mountain View Elementary to a third grade class. I first introduced the lima bean seed to the students to start the lesson. They observed and wrote down in their science journals what they noticed. Their science journals were used throughout the weeks. The second part of the lesson students planted their lima bean seeds in groups in different environments such as in the dark, depth of seeds was different, different amount of soil, amount of water, and so on. They all had a window plant to compare it with their plant in the different environment.  Students watered, measured, and observed their plants about every two days writing in their science journals. We did this for about three weeks and then did the last part of the lesson. Students made their last observations, were given charts with measurements of their plants, we made a line graph with these measurements, and then they wrote a letter explaining what they learned. We did this entire lesson over a three week period and lastly students got to take their plants home with them.

Impact:

This assignment better prepared me to teach science in the classroom. I had never taught it before this lesson. I learned there is a lot of work behind experiments like the one I did with the students, but it was a great learning experience for the students and me.  The students were excited from the beginning about planting lima bean seeds. They learned how to make accurate and careful observations. They also learned how to measure using centimeters which they had never done before this experiment. Students learned how to take care of plants and what lima plants needed in order to stay alive. They also learned how to use a science journal which was never done before. The students really enjoyed seeing their plants after three weeks and the amazing growth that occurred making them think of questions and conclusions on why some plants grew and why some did not grow. They also learned to responsible for taking care of plant and they will continue to do so when they take their plants home trying to put them in the best environment.

Alignment:

I met, Standard 7, Indicator 1, by using the North Carolina curriculum in science for third grade.

I met Standard 7, Indicator 2, by researching the internet about lima bean plants to learn more about the plants and used Word Excel to chart growth of plants.

I met Standard 7, Indicator 4, by having student's do science journals, line graphs to represent data, charts to represent data, and having students write letters.

I met Standard 7, Indicator 7, by assessing their journals with a rubric, assessing their letters with a rubric, looking over measurements they made for plant, and by asking questions about their plants.

I met Standard 10, by having students predict what would happen to their plants, students measured in centimeters the growth of plants, the plants for classified as lima bean plants, they made conclusions with data, interpreted data with line graphs, and analyzed their results.

I met Standard 15, Indicator 1, by calling on students who were not participating as much, applying the plants to a real world situation with the story of Sarah, and each person maintaining leadership sharing ideas with each other.