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.