Lesson Planning

Waynesburg University

Writing the lesson plan:

Translating thoughts into a plan of action
_____________________________________________
Pennsylvania Academic Standard(s) addressed during this lesson:
(Provide Standard number and statement)

 S4.A.3.3.1: Identify and describe observable patterns (e.g., growth patterns in plants, weather, water cycle).
 3.4.4.C3 Explain how asking questions and making observations help a person understand how things work and can be
repaired.
 S4.A.2.1.3: Observe a natural phenomenon (e.g., weather changes, length of daylight/night, movement of shadows,
animal migrations, growth of plants), record observations, and then make a prediction based on those observations.

Lesson Objective(s)
(Stated in observable and measurable terms)

 Students will be able to differentiate between the five different senses while observing weather patterns.
 Students will be able to correctly navigate through Open Office to create journal entries based on what they observed
over a five day period.
 Students will be able to orally present the final assignment to the class.

Assessment Plan
(What will be done to determine if lesson objectives have been met?)
• Assess the ability to correctly use differentiate between the five senses.
• Assess the ability to correctly navigate through Open Office while creating a document.
• Assess the ability to present a final assignment orally to the class.

Materials:
 chalkboard
 science notebooks
 Open Office
 Computer lab
 crayons, markers, colored pencils
 pencils
 construction paper

Inclusion Techniques for Students with Special Needs:

Enrichment Techniques:
 To extend the lesson, encourage students to continue observing the weather from home. Tell them to use their five
senses to record what they see. They could use a thermometer to record the daily temperature as well. After they have
recorded their observations, write a short weather report based on what they observed from the journal entries they have
written down.

Lesson Differentiation (What modifications/accommodations will be made to ensure that ALL students have access to and are able
to participate in the lesson):
 Provide a peer buddy to students that may need assistance getting started with the journal activity. Teacher check-in may
be necessary in the computer lab for students who have difficulty typing and using the computer.

Lesson Presentation
Introduction/Motivational Activities/Anticipatory Set:
• Begin the lesson by asking the students if they can name the five senses. List them on the board as they name them.
Create five columns. Under each column ask the students for examples of things that the students can see, hear, smell,
taste, and touch. Give each student a chance to give an example. Tell the students that they are going to be using their
five senses to describe weather.

Detailed Teaching Sequence:

(Provide sufficient detail that would enable a substitute to effectively present this lesson. Bulleted statements are preferred)
• Have students take out their science notebooks. Call small groups of students to go the window and describe what they
see outside. Discuss and list on the board some of the items the students listed in their notebooks.
• Explain to students that they will be using their five senses to record observations or what they see, outside. Each day
students will use a different sense to make a journal entry using Open Office. As a class, we will go outside for a short
walk around the playground so that students may make observations and then begin to write their journal.
• Each entry will have the student’s name, date, and the sense that they are using for that day. The entry should be at least
five sentences long.
• Day one- Monday- use sight to make visual images of what you see going on outside with the weather. Come back to the
computer lab and create a journal entry.
• Day two-Tuesday- use sound to describe what the weather sounds like.
• Day three-Wednesday- use smell to describe the different smells that are around you.
• Day four-Thursday- use touch to describe what the weather feels like.
• Day five- Friday- use taste to describe what the weather tastes like, be creative for this one!

Guided Practice/Independent Practice/Assessment Activities

• Assess the journals written using Open Office with a checklist.
• Assess the ability to differentiate between the five senses using a checklist.
• Assess the ability to speak orally in front of the class through the use of teacher observation and feedback.
• Assess the ability to successfully use and navigate through the Open Office software using teacher observation and
provide feedback.

Closure:
To end the lesson, print out journal entries and add colorful drawings for each day. Create a cover for the journal using
construction paper. Bind together with string or staples. Report on your observations to the class.