LESSON PLAN: Rock Uses-Clay beads (adapted from Foss kit)

DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION
Emily Edwards
Kylie Peek 1st grade 18 students
October 17th, 2013 1-1:45
MATERIALS NEEDED
List all materials needed to conduct the lesson. Include what you will use as a teacher as well as what students
will use.

-Chunks of Clay
-Pieces of Straws
-Cups of water
-Toothpicks
-Wax paper
-String
-Corrugated cardboard
-Lace
-Props made from clay: brick, Peruvian whistle, plate (2).

KEY VOCABULARY
-Clay
-Bead
-Properties of clay
-Natural resources
-Earth materials
-Weathering/chemical changes?
STANDARDS
1.E.2: Understand the physical properties of Earth materials that make them useful in different ways.
1.E.2.1: Summarize the physical properties of Earth materials, including rocks, minerals, soils and water that
make them useful in different ways.
K-8 Visual Arts
.1.CX.1.5: Understand that art is a reflection of the artists ideas, environment, and/or resources.
1.CX.2.2: Identify connections between art and concepts from other disciplines, such as math, science, language
arts, social studies, and other arts.
1.V.2: Apply creative and critical thinking skills to artistic expression.
1.V.2.3: Create art from imaginary sources of inspiration.
1.V.3.1: Use a variety of tools safely and appropriately to create art.
1.V.3: Create art using a variety of tools, media, and processes, safely and appropriately.
Affective standards: Building peer relations through peer sharing, applying creativity through making bead.

REVIEW
I. Review the earth materials that students have been studying. Discuss how the earth materials are used in our
society. Have students share how different earth materials/rocks are used.
On Science carpet:
Today we are going to study another type of earth material.

What are some Earth materials that you have been studying? [sand, pebbles, gravel, silt]
Earth materials are natural resources, we can use them to build and create things. Ask students what sand is used
for or gravel. [cement, bricks, concrete, asphalt, glass]
[natural resources are raw materials supplied by the earth used for housing, clothing and other human wants and
needs]
FOCUS
I. Show artifacts/props of things made from clay (whistle, plates (2), brick)
-Today I brought in things that are made from clay. What do you observe?
II. Ask them if they think the clay is hardened or if it is still soft.
You will each get a small lump of clay to explore at your desk. After you observe and explore the material, we
will meet back at the circle to discuss what you noticed about the material. Pay attention to how it reacts to
water, and compare it to the materials you have explored in the past.
III. After exploring come back to the rug go through Input/guided questions and state objectives.

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES
Students will learn about another earth material called clay. Clay is another useful natural resource and its
properties (when wet/dry) allow it to be molded and changed and even used to make jewelry (beads). Students
will learn how to make clay beads using clay and a straw.
It is important to understand that earths natural resources are used in the construction of buildings, streets,
pottery and jewelry and much more.
Foss Science Concepts:
-Earth materials are natural resources
-The properties of different earth materials make each suitable for specific uses
-Earth materials are commonly used in the construction of buildings and streets
-Earth materials are used to make jewelry and sculptures

INPUT/Guided Practice Questions

Have a discussion ask the students questions to see what they observed about the clay. What do they know?
What do they have questions about? Have their ideas changed about the artifacts?

Remembering: What is the earth material that you have explored? [clay]
What did you notice about the clay?
Understanding: What happened to the clay when you put water on it? It gets smoother and easier to move
Applying: Was it easier to form and move the clay when you put water on it?
-When clay is wet it can easily be formed into different things and when it dries it is hardened.
Analyzing: What do you think clay is made of? Where does it come from? Made of rocks,
Evaluating: How was clay made? Clay is tiny pieces of weathered rock, made from rocks breaking apart.
Creating: Now that you know about clay we can make our very own clay bead creations. You will use the clay
on your desk and you will receive a piece of straw to make a hole in your bead and a piece of string to hang the
bead.
Show students how straw must go through the bead to form a hole. Create bead then put hole in it. Allow
students to make any shape or creation they want as long as it is a bead.
Explain that they will be provided a toothpick, corrugated cardboard and lace to decorate their bead and carve
into it. They can use their imagination to come up with the design of their choice.

GUIDED PRACTICE (questions above)

Students will make their clay beads and decorate them by carving into clay.
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE
Attach assessment worksheet.
When students are finishing up their beads announce that when they are finished they should receive a worksheet
to fill out. When they are finished [see closure] with the worksheet they can meet on the rug to discuss what they
learned with their peer.
CLOSURE
After students have made their beads and done their independent assessment worksheets, have them place their
beads in a designated drying area and come to the science circle. In partner, share what they have learned about
clay. Make sure to summarize content at the end.
Summary:

Clay is made out of many pieces of rock. When clay gets wet it is easier to form but when it is dry it hardens. We
can use clay to make many things we need in our society such as plates, bricks, and jewelry.
SPECIAL NEEDS ACCOMMODATIONS
I will provide multiple means of representation by verbally teaching about clay, showing them artifacts made
from clay, and providing the opportunity to explore clay with their own hands. They will also learn about clay by
creating their own bead using their imagination to design what it should look like (Abruscato & DeRosa, p. 72).
Students will have a variety of ways to learn about clay because all students learn differently.
Students will also be able to express what they learned by filling out a worksheet, creating their clay bead, and
participating in class discussion. Students may be weak at worksheets and strong in other areas so providing an
assortment of assessment allows me to get a good perspective of what they actually learned (Abruscato &
DeRosa, p. 72).
The lesson is also concept based to allow learners to understand that clay is another earth material. The lesson
broadly covers clay with options for exploring further into the topic such as, thinking what is clay made out of
while manipulating it. According to Hall, teachers must focus on the concepts, principles and skills that students
should learn. The content of instruction should address the same concepts with all students, but the degree of
complexity should be adjusted to suit diverse learners.
10.

REFERENCES

Full Option Science System: Using Rocks Part 4: Clay Beads

Mineral Products Industry. (1995). HYPERLINK "http://www.epa.gov/ttnchie1/ap42/ch11/final/c11s25.pdf"

http://www.epa.gov/ttnchie1/ap42/ch11/final/c11s25.pdf
Abruscato, J and D. DeRosa. (2010). Teaching Children Science: A Discovery Approach. Boston, MA:
Pearson.
Hall, T., Strangman, N., & Meyer, A. (2003). Differentiated instruction and implications for UDL
implementation. Wakefield, MA: National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum. Retrieved
from

HYPERLINK

"http://aim.cast.org/learn/historyarchive/backgroundpapers/differentiated_instruction_udl#.UlL"

http://aim.cast.org/learn/historyarchive/backgroundpapers/differentiated_instruction_udl#.UlL
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