On Tuesday, Amanda, Lisa, Alicia and I taught an engineering
lesson in a small group with four kindergartners. Our lesson focused on standard
K-2-ETS1-2 that states, “Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to
illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a
given problem.” This lesson had the students build a model house based off of
the story, The Three Little Pigs. We
integrated our lesson by incorporating literacy and science. During this lesson
we read to the students the children’s book, The Three Little Pigs. This story was familiar to all the students,
but we wanted to make sure the students knew the three different houses that
were in the story and the materials that were able to withstand the big bad wolf.
The students then used the variety of material provided to build their own
houses that could withstand “the big bad wolf” or hair dryer.
When reflecting on how the lesson went, I think that the lesson
went well and the objective was accomplished. What I think we did well in our
lesson was how we accommodated for the ELL students or all the students in the small
group. For example, The Three Little Pigs
book was bilingual. If a different teacher that was bilingual was teaching this
lesson, the teacher could use what she knows about the group of students to see
if reading the story in English or Spanish
would more beneficial. By observing the students as Lisa read the story, I was
able to see how well they could answer the guided questions. I could tell that the
students were able to follow along in the story and its important details. Another
way that we accommodated for the ELL students is by including many visuals and
a hands-on activity that lined up with the standard. In this lesson, students
were using the examples in the texts to test materials we provided to have the
students build their own houses. In addition
to what went well in our lesson, I also would change some parts as well.
If I were to teach the lesson again I would have included
more materials for student to build their houses with. For example, I would
include lighter materials that would not be able to withstand the blow dryer in
order to give students examples of less strong materials. I say this because in
our lesson, all four of the houses that the students constructed all were able
to withstand the blow dryer. We had planned to ask the students, what objects
are the most strong and which are the least strong. It wasn’t until Amanda quickly
constructed a house out of straws that a model house blew over. After that example the student were able to
answer the guided questions correctly. I learned from that example that the
lesson may not go as planned, but it was a good that we were able to be
flexible and think of an idea on the spot. When constructing their houses, it
was helpful to have one-on-one attention with the little amount of kids in our
small group. That allowed all of the teachers to see the student thought
process and get to know the students better.
Throughout my time at Brigham, I had an ongoing goal that I
tried to accomplishing as I spent more time in the classroom. My goal was to
get to know the ELL students in order to accommodate for their needs. I think
that teaching in a small group helped me get closer to my goal. After planning and
teaching the lesson, I am able to check to see if my accommodations for the students
were effective and beneficial. After observing the students engagement, I think
that our planned accommodations were appropriate for the ELL students.
Throughout my ISU classes and clinical experiences, I feel that I am now more comfortable
teaching ELL students and know effective teaching strategies. I do think that I
have more to learn as a student’s teacher, but feel my Brigham experience contributed
to my confidence in the classroom. I am glad that I was able to get an opportunity
to work with ELL students and realize that it is not as intimidating as I
expected.
Here is a
blog link to our engineering lesson idea: http://sewingschool.blogspot.com/2011/01/he-huffed-and-he-puffed.html
Here is a
link to more engineering lessons for kindergartners: http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=kindergarten%20engineering%20lessons&term_meta%5B%5D=kindergarten%7Ctyped&term_meta%5B%5D=engineering%7Ctyped&term_meta%5B%5D=lessons%7Ctyped
Exceeds: I
wrote a 700 word blog. I also included a link to more kindergarten engineering
lessons and included a link to our lesson plan idea.
