Lesson Plan

Esmeralda Colon

Grade Level: 1^st

Subject: Science and Language Arts (Lifecycle of a pumpkin)

Objectives:

§  Actively listen to “It’s Pumpkin Time!” by Zoë Hall during whole class instruction, during the read aloud.

§  Cooperatively work together in a whole-class setting to explain the lifecycle of a pumpkin after listening to “It’s Pumpkin Time!”

§  Independently complete a stage sequence book on the lifecycle of a pumpkin with 100% accuracy.

NYS Standards Addressed:

Science- Standard 4 (The Living Environment)
Students will: understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science. 

§  Explore how living things change over their lifetime

§  Observe that differences within a species may give individuals an advantage in surviving

§  Observe the major stages in the life cycles of selected plants and animals.

Language Arts - Standard 1
Students will: read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding.
Standard 2
Students will: read, write, listen, and speak for literary responses and expression.

Materials:

§  How a Pumpkin Grows sequence worksheet  (1per student)

§  Crayons

§  Pencils

§  Scissors

§  PowerPoint Presentation

§  Read Aloud book: It’s Pumpkin Time!

§  Board or Mini boards

§  Dry erase markers

Procedure:

Anticipatory Set: 

First, I would tell students that today we will be reviewing the lifecycle of a pumpkin and how it grows.  Reminding them that last week we learned about the stages of a pumpkin and how they grow.  Today we are actually drawing pictures that explain the stages of a pumpkin vs. last week where we put the stages in its correct sequence.  I will show the students their booklet and read to them each stage.  I want to make sure that before I read “It’s Pumpkin Time!” students are aware of the assignment.  This will allow them to understand and comprehend the book better and look for specific pictures to help them draw them in their booklets.  I will continue by reading the book.  As I read the book, I will be emphasizing each stage so that students can connect the picture and the reading to their booklet.  Students will be split into groups among the three teachers in the room.  Each teacher will guide the students in the process of how to grow a pumpkin.  The teachers will have a pre-made booklet that shows the drawings of each stage.  They will also have in the board or mini boards the stages drawn to help them.   

Assessment:

First, as I read “It’s Pumpkin Time!” I will ask questions regarding the stages of the pumpkin.  This lesson is an assessment to them because we have previously learned the lifecycle of a pumpkin and students had to cut out and sequence the stages.  This booklet will re-enforce the previous lesson.  As students work independently, I will be circulating through the groups to help students and see their progress.  Students will then come to the carpet and share their booklet in front of the class.  I will collect the booklets to see the outcome of their learning experience. 

Closure:

Each table is called to the carpet with their booklet.  I will explain to the students the importance of knowing how a pumpkin grows because it’s teaching them the process that most plants and fruits take.  I’ll ask students to come up to the front of the class to tell us how the pumpkin grows.  Students can now go to their parents and tell them everything they learned about the lifecycle of a pumpkin.  Students will now be able to connect the process that a pumpkin has to many other fruits, vegetables and plants. 

Intro

My name is Esmeralda Colon and I graduated from Plattsburgh State University with a BA in Criminal Justice and Minor in African Studies. After I received my masters in Administration & Leadership with a concentration Health Education and Counseling.  In addition, I obtained a second masters from Brooklyn College in Physical Education. I am a substitute teacher.   I hope to become a certified Physical Education teacher and work in the adaptive physical education field.  I want to teach for at least for five years and then I hope to become a Dean.  I enjoy roller blading, biking, going to the movies, reading inspirational books, and spending time with my friends and family.  I am of Puerto Rican decent, I was born and raised in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.  I am a mother of a two-year-old boy name Kaeden.   I have been married for thirteen years.

Wedding Vows

My love I prayed to god for a whole year to send me someone who will love me as much as I have loved others and he sent me you.  Our love story started when Ronnie my little sister told me to give you the “door test.” “I told her no it was corny.”  It was our second date and it was rainy outside.  I held an umbrella over your head and open your door.  You then reach over and unlock my door.  I was in shock and surprise that you passed the door test because it happened unconsciously. 

I looked at you with a smile on my face and said “Oh my god you are the one.”  So when we got to your house I look at you and said “so you’re my girlfriend and you said no you because you never asked me out.” “You said better yet will you like to be my girlfriend and I answered yes.”  Then I look at you and said “since you asked me out I’ll propose to you.” 

Everything happen so fast two weeks later you moved in  and then five months later I proposed to you five time because it was our fifth month anniversary. 

On October 30^th 2001 ten years to the day you, Wendy, Jr and I all took a ride to Shelburne VT to exchange our vows.  It was the day you and I became one.   Fast forward ten years later we are still in love and my love for you grows stronger and stronger with each passing day.

My love, you are the Yi to my Yang.  You complete me in every aspect of my life.  I will love and protect you as longs as god allows me to.  My love, even in death my love for you will live on.  Just know I will forever love you.  I thank god everyday for blessing me with you.   God knew us both, and that is why he chose us from the start to share as one, to be as one, one life, one love, one heart. I want to thank you for loving me and sharing your life with me.  I’ve found the one that my soul loves.

831 (Eight Letters, Three Words & One Meaning I Love you).

The Death Of My Borther

My Nightmare Became A Reality

 

On May 25,^th 2006 you came to me in a dream and hugged me and whispered in my left ear “Meralda you are going to be ok.”  I knew from that day everything would be workout because you were now a messenger of GOD.”

On June 25, 1981, Mom and Dad brought you home. At age of four I became a big sister.  I knew from that day I’d have a best friend for life.  We shared a childhood filled with great memories.  For instance the time I broke my ankle while we were playing follow the leader.  I remember, the day we had to stay in because it was rainy.  You were in your tighty whities with a pair of roller skates on.  I threw a basketball at you from the top bunk while I jumped up and down.  It was all fun and games until it caved in and I busted my top lip leaving a scar.  Every time I look or lick my top lip I think about that rainy day.  There was that time I played a prank on you by putting a pair of your tighty whities over your head while you slept.  Seeing the surprise on your face when you woke up the next morning was priceless.  We were like two peas in a pod.  We shared the same zodiac sign, Cancer, common interests, and we had similar personalities.

“HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

“HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

“HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

I was so honored to read your “Role Model” paper you wrote in High School, because it was about me. How I was your role model, and how I inspired you to be successful.  We both attended Satellite High School and Plattsburgh State University.  I enjoyed having you around.  It was like the good old days. 

“HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

“HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

“HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

            I remember our first date with Viviana and Luz, my wife and her sister.  It was May 2001.  We almost hit the curve on the 59^th Street Bridge.  I said, “Junior you need to be more careful and slow down.  The road is wet.”  You apologized and said, “I know.”

“HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

“HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

“HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

It was March 2003, you called me while I was in Plattsburgh to tell me you were just in a car accident.  I asked, “Are you ok and what happened?”  Your response was, “I’m ok, I was racing a car on the 59^th Street Bridge when I lost control and hit the curve.”  I told you, “You need to drive more carefully.”  You laughed and said, “I know.”

“HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

“HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

“HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

It was Friday April 21^st, 2006 at four o’clock in the morning.  I received a phone call from Adriana, your girlfriend, stating you had a car accident on the 59^th Street Bridge.  I took my time because I knew you were ok.  I thought to myself I’ll go check on you before work.

“HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

“HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

“HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

So I decided to take a shower before I head out to Elmhurst Hospital in Queen to make sure you were ok.  My cell phone rang again.  It was Adriana she said, “HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

I was in total shock.  This couldn’t be.  I was hanging out with you four hours ago.  My nightmare became a reality.  All I could remember was the last thing I said to you, “Hey be careful no fighting.”  You said, “Ok.”

All I could hear was her words echoing through my head.  “HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”  “HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.” “HURRY UP YOUR BROTHER IS DEAD.”

I thank god everyday for allowing you to be a part of my life for those twenty four years.  You were truly a blessing to have in all of our lives.       The roles have turned now.  For most of your life I guided and protected you.  Now you are my guardian angel who will look over me for the rest of my life.  I will always love you.