Lesson Plan 1: Fossils Page 1 of 6
Lesson Plan 1: Fossils Title of Unit: Rockin Rocks and Fossils Grade Level for Unit: 3rd Grade
Teaching fossils to 3rd graders; twenty (20) students total, 11 girls, 9 boys A – Analyze Learners 3rd graders 20 total students: 11 girls, 9 boys This lesson plan is designed for 3rd grade students and assumes all students are on or above their grade level. The class is made up of audio, visual, and kinesthetic learners. Students in this grade level will build upon and work towards understanding a fossil. All students will have the same opportunity to learn about fossils through discussion and exploration. Students will be profiled during whole group discussion to determine skills and prior knowledge about fossils. They will understand what fossils teach us about prehistoric life and give a record or time. Upon completion of this unit, students will have become more confident and gained a better understanding of the world around them. S – State Objectives WV Content Standards and Objectives- 3rd Grade Science Power Standard 1
students will explain how fossils provide evidence about prehistoric life
Science CSOs SC.3.2.1
demonstrate curiosity, initiative and creativity by planning and conducting simple investigations
SC.3.2.3
support statements with facts found through research in reference books, sciencerelated magazines and the internet
SC.3.2.4
use scientific instruments and everyday materials to investigate the natural world
SC.3.2.5
use safe and proper techniques for handling, manipulating and caring for science materials (e.g., wear safety goggles).
SC.3.2.15
identify fossils as a record of time
SC.3.3.2
use models as representations of real things
Lesson Plan 1: Fossils Page 2 of 6 SC.3.6.2
listen to and be tolerant of different viewpoints by engaging in collaborative activities and be willing to modify ideas when new and valid information is presented
21st Century Skills Information and Communication Skills: 21C.03-4.1.LS1
students identifies information needed to solve a problem or complete a problem or complete an assignment, conducts a search and prioritizes various sources based on credibility and relevance, retrieves relevant information from a variety of media sources, and uses this information to create an effective presentation
21C.O.3-4.1.LS3
student cognizant of audience and purpose, articulate thoughts and ideas accurately and effectively through oral, written, or multimedia communications
Personal and Workplace Skills 21C.O.3-4.3.LS1
students manages and preempts negative emotions before they escalate, exercises, self-restraint without assistance, and works productively in a variety of group settings
21C.O.3-4.3.LS4
student appreciates, accepts, and works cooperatively with others, in both academic and social contexts, shares responsibility for continued improvement of the academic performance and climate of the school, and exhibits ethical behavior while working alone or communicating with others
Art VA.O.VAI.1.2 communicate original and personal ideas in a variety of media, techniques, and processes to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks VA.O.VAI.2.3 create two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks based on elements of art and principles of design using appropriate media, processes, and techniques to solve specific problems. A. Students will be able to express thoughts, ideas, and knowledge through oral, written, and multimedia communications towards an understanding of fossils. Oral Communications: • Students will identify and describe different types of fossils. • Students will identify and describe where fossils are found and how they are formed. • Students will spell and define vocabulary words. • Students will participate in a “Fossil Dig” activity and describe what they have learned. Written Communications:
Lesson Plan 1: Fossils Page 3 of 6 Students will describe different types of fossils, how they are formed, their physical properties, and where they are found by completing the WebQuest “Fossil Find.” Answers must be in complete sentences. Students must write complete sentences and record this information in their “Rockin Field Journals” as indicated in the WebQuest. • Students will reflect on what they have learned by Journal Writing answering the questions, “what did you learn about fossils and what would you like to learn about fossils” with a one (1) paragraph in length requirement for each response question. • Students will reflect on what they have learned throughout the unit by creating a poster on fossils. • Students will reflect on what they learned throughout the unit by presenting a Unit Project on either fossils or rocks. Multimedia Communications: • Students will retrieve relevant information from a variety of media sources and use this information to create an effective multimedia presentation. •
B. After learning about fossils, students will achieve all stated objectives accurately by the end of the lesson.
S – Select Methods, Media, and Material The various methods, media, and materials selected allow audio, visual, and kinesthetic learners to equally take part. Methods: • A brief lecture on fossils. • An activity on fossil digging. • WebQuest “Fossil Find” Media: • World Wide Web, IPad, Computer, White Board • YouTube Video “Fossil Hunting” http://www.neok12.com/php/watch.php?v=zX076e0e6d5a7b775b0d7a41&t=F ossils • Virtual Tours: www.projectexploration.org www.prehistoricplanet.com/wv/fossils/ • Websites: http://www.projectexploration.org/ http://www.prehistoricplanet.com/wv/fossils/ http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/dinofossils/index.html http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/dinofossils/Fossildating.ht ml
Lesson Plan 1: Fossils Page 4 of 6 http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/glossary/IndexFossils.sht ml
Materials: • Fossils Kaleidoscope Earth Science book by Roy A. Gallant • Rockin Field Journal • Mock fossils • large sized box • play sand • small plastic shovel • small paintbrushes • toothpicks • napkins • pencils • colored pencils • crayons • markers • white card stock • black ribbon • 3-hole punch • white poster board • Fossil Dig Activity Instructions for teacher • WebQuest titled “Fossil Find” U – Utilize Media and Material Media and materials will be utilized in a way that relates to fossils. All media and materials must be age and content appropriate and suitable for all students of this grade-level and diversity. The learning environment will be made free of clutter so students will not become injured. Questions will be asked periodically throughout the lesson to determine how the students understand the information presented and help bridge any gaps. During whole group discussion, the teacher will read Fossils Kaleidoscope Earth Science book, bring up images of fossils on the Smart Board, and introduce the spelling and vocabulary words by writing them on the white board. During whole group discussion, students will discuss fossils, different types of fossils, provide examples for each type of fossil type, and discuss the job of paleontologists. Students are encouraged to take notes about fossils in their writing journals. Students will participate in a WebQuest “Fossil Find” in which they will watch a YouTube video on “Hunting Fossils,” take a virtual tour of fossil museums, will participate in a fossil dig activity, complete a “Rockin Fossil Field Journal” activity, and create and present a project (power point or poster) on fossils. Students will reflect on what they have learned by answering the questions, “what did you learn about fossils and what would you like to learn about fossils” with a one (1) page well developed essay in their
Lesson Plan 1: Fossils Page 5 of 6 Writing Journals. During closure, review concepts and vocabulary, ask students to share any fossil stories they have, and tell students they can search in their own backyards and neighborhoods to find rocks and objects that have or could have become fossilized. R – Require Learner Participation Students will respectfully collaborate with their peers. Each student regardless of reading level, learning styles, or cultures will participate through flexible grouping, journal writing, and activities. Students will participate when questions are asked periodically throughout the lesson. Students will have an opportunity to practice the concepts they learned about fossils—during class discussion, WebQuest, journal writing, fossil digging, creating a project. E – Evaluate and Revise The objectives will be evaluated during oral and written discussions, online assignments, activities, journal writing, and presentations using a checklist that reveal student development and understanding with regard to each objective. The results will be used to evaluate each student’s progress, understanding, and achievement. The information will be used to revise and modify instruction if needed.
Evaluation Rubric 3 Participated 100% Followed safety using scientific instruments and everyday materials during the Fossil Dig Activity Completed WebQuest 100% of “Fossil Find” required tasks Journal Writing Answered two (2) of the Essay required questions Fossil Dig Activity Safety
Group Project (power point or poster)
Participated and contributed in the group to create a project
2 Participated 75%
1 Participated 50%
0 Participated 25% Did not follow safety using scientific instruments and everyday materials during the Fossil Dig Activity
Completed 75% of required tasks Answered one (1) of the required questions
Completed 50% of required tasks Answered one (1) of the required questions but lacks details
Completed 25% of required tasks Does not answer any the listed questions
Did not participate or contribute in the group to create a project
Score
Lesson Plan 1: Fossils Page 6 of 6 Teacher Reflection: Were the objections clearly outlined? Were the objectives met? Were the performance requirements achieved in the designated time allotted? Was the evaluation/assessment fair? Did the evaluation/assessment measure the learned outcomes appropriately? Were a variety of resources utilized? Did students of each learning styles benefit from the material? Did the methods, media, and materials match the objectives? Was the material appropriately challenging? Was this lesson effective? Do any areas of instruction need to be revised or modified? Did all students participate in the activities and projects assigned? Did all students complete the assignments?
