Guided Inquiry Lesson Plan Assignment

SME 432

Guided Inquiry Lesson Plan

Date Due

Teaching Method: Guided Inquiry (give brief overview here: like an abstract introducing a paper)

Learner-centered method by which students are guided into discovering … (finish general description)

Grade: 1

Topic: Shadows and the Sun’s Changing Position

Duration: 35-40 minutes (Section times shown below)

Objectives: By the end of the lesson students will:

1. discover how to make different shadows. (process)

2. tell what a shadow is. (content)

3. describe how the change in the sun’s position changes the length and direction of a shadow. (content and process)

Nat’l Science Standards:

D: Earth & Space Science

A: Science as Inquiry:

Ask a question about…events in the environment

Employ simple equipment to gather data

MS Science Frameworks:

3a: Describe the changing position of the sun in the

daytime sky.

Materials:

Flashlight, pencil, small bolt or similar object, white sheet of paper, shadow data sheet, shadows concept map.

Classroom arrangement:

Class will begin and end with students in individual desks. During data collection and data processing, students will work in groups so as to encourage interaction. Group size will depend on the number of flashlights available.

Procedure:

Motivation (2 min.): Where have you seen shadows?

Have you ever seen shadows outside and wondered why they are different? (Playground equipment example)

Questions (5 min.):

Students will be given the above materials (excluding concept map) to investigate shadows. They will be guided in their investigation by the following questions:

1. How can you make a long shadow?

2. How can you make a short shadow?

3. Can you shine the light on the bolt without making a shadow? Explain.

4. What is a shadow?

5. How does the sun make different shadows?

Data Collection (10-15 min.):

Students will use materials given and record findings on their data sheets.

Data processing (8 min.):

Students check their results and give possible reasons for their findings.

Closure (10 min.):

As a class, students discuss findings and interpretations recorded on data sheets, with teacher asking questions as needed. Answers to lesson questions are discussed. Teacher shows Shadows Concept Map to reinforce what students should have discovered.

Enrichment/Remediation: (E) Students who finish early will be given an additional worksheet to draw shadows. (R) Students needing help will be given individualized teacher attention.

Assessment (time included in group work and closure):

1. Observation of student discovery, data sheets, and answers to lesson questions will assess student comprehension of shadow characteristics. Observation during group work allows teacher to immediately address problems.

2. Student discussion of data collection and processing will assess applied knowledge, to ensure that students understand how the sun’s changing position affects shadows.

Shadows Data Sheet

Shadow Concept Map