Earth Science is definitely not my strength. My UGH attitude about it has been turned around quite a bit through the explorations we have journeyed through during this course. One of my least favorite parts about Earth science is rocks; yet, I chose to do my modeling lesson on the rock cycle. My model was edible using ingredients such as evaporated milk to represent silt, vanilla to represent crude oil, and walnuts for sediments and erosion. Additional ingredients included marshmallows, sugar, and chocolate. The process of heating and stirring were the change in temperature and pressure. Everything gets mixed together and finally cools creating a new "rock".
I like the lesson I developed. I reviewed the rock cycle, had graphic models, and even found some animations. The problem was I presented my lesson to a group of summer school students entering grades 5 through 8. Some of them had the prior knowledge necessary, but most did not. I struggled with content because it was really difficult to have all students at the level I would have expected if teaching this in a regular classroom. It was also difficult because this was outside the context of the reading remediation class in which the students were enrolled. It was definitely not the success I was hoping for.
I did modify the lesson and use more guided instruction than I had originally planned. The students were able to retrieve some important information and did make some connections to what I was attempting to represent with my edible rock cycle model. They were happy because they had a treat at the end. I was satisfied with what I learned about the rock cycle and the resources that I may need for future use. It has been tricky to teach other lessons for the coursework out of sequence within my own classroom. This was a much bigger challenge than that. I would definitely be willing to use this lesson at another time.
I too had difficulty with being outside my classroom. All my supplies are there. I couldn't even go in because they are waxing the floors and the building is off limits for the next couple of weeks. It is hard to do a "real" lesson when the students aren't yours and you show up "out of the blue" to them to conduct a lesson. It seems unrealistic to ask us to implement a viable lesson during the summer when we may not have access to students at all! I was lucky to get a bunch of neighborhood kiddos with nothing else to do and a promise of ice cream.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteWith a mixed group of students in terms of both age and ability, would it have been possible to have the more advanced students help the others? This is just a thought - I think that this technique can vary greatly depending on the group of students. Amy
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI had a similar dilemma when I tried to implement my lesson plan. I agree with Amy. Grouping older students with younger student made the lesson move smoother. I have found that student learn well from other students.