Jane R. Hosen
Sample Lesson #1: Elements and States of Matter
Objectives: The student will be able to:
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1. Understand that anything that takes up space and has mass (or weighs something) is called matter and that all matter is made of one or more elements- the smallest unit of matter of which there are over 120
Day One :
Teacher will use large period table to explain the concept of elements pointing out the most common elements: carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, etc. Teacher will show examples of different types of matter including liquids like water, solids like ice, and water vapor. In small groups students will as many examples of matter as they can. Then they will share their lists and make poster with examples of matter for the classroom. To set up for Day 2 and 3 lessons, teacher should be sure examples of gases and liquids are listed and prompt students if necessary. Students will leave class able to define an "element" and explain the concept of matter.
Sample Lesson #2: Solids and Liquids
Objective: Students will be able to,
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1. Describe the properties of solids and liquids and give examples of each.
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2. Understand that some compounds, like water and orange juice, can take the form of solid, liquid, and gas depending on conditions.
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Class discussion on the properties of solids and liquids during which they will create a poster sized Venn diagram for solids and liquids. For this lesson multiple examples of both solids and liquids (of varying viscosity) spread out around the room. Students walk around the room grouping the examples into the category of solid or liquid using a worksheet.
Activity: Students will observe a can of frozen orange juice and understand that it is in the form of a solid. Students will then add water and observe the orange juice is now a liquid. Teacher will make paper cup mini-popsicles using the orange juice and present them to students during a class discussion about the properties liquids and solids.
Sample Lesson #3: Liquid to Gas
Objectives: Students will be able to,
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1. Describe the properties of gases and name at least two gases.
Teacher will use humidifier provide an example of gas. As water vapor is made teacher will capture the vapor in a one gallon clear plastic bag. Teacher will explain that high heat causes the liquid to change into a gas. Class discussion about different gasses, including water vapor, oxygen, helium.
Sample Lesson #4: The Solar System
Objective: Students will become familiar with the 8 planets, their sizes, and their position relative to the sun.
As a class students will make a model of the solar system using different sized balls. This could be as simple as gathering up 8 different sized balls, or more elaborate in having students construct each planet as its properties are discussed. Teacher will teach about the Earth and what makes it habitable. Then students will each get an orange. Teacher will explain that the Earth's crust can be likened to the orange's peel. And that the earth's liquid core can be likened to the fruit of the orange. Students will peel and eat oranges.
Sample lesson #5: The Skeleton
Objectives: Students will be able to,
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1. Describe the function of the skeleton
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2. Familiarize themselves with the bones in the human skeleton.
Using a large labeled poster, teacher will introduce the skeleton, it's function, and the bones: skull, humerus, ulna, radius, carpals, spine, ribs, pelvis, femur, hand bones (carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges), fibula, feet bones (tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges). In pairs, students will trace around their partner's body on butcher paper. Teacher will pass out cutouts of the bones in the approximate size of those found in second graders. Students will work together to place the bones in the appropriate place on their butcher paper bodies.
Sample Lesson #6: Food groups and serving sizes.
Objectives: Students will be able to,
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1. Describe the food groups and provide examples of food for each.
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2. Determine approximate serving sizes for common foods.
Teacher will provide tangible examples to show students serving sizes. For example: half a cup of fruit is about the size of a pool ball, a cup of vegetables or a cup of milk is about the size of a baseball, 2-3 ounces of protein is abut the size of a deck of cards, and an ounce of cheese is about the size of a pair of dice.
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Four large posters depicting a plate divided into the four food groups according to the amount needed to get each day. Students will work in groups to will tape oak tag cutouts of common foods in the appropriate food group.
Lesson #7: Bones
Objectives: Students will be able to,
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1. Discuss the importance of strong bones and the minerals that make bone strong.
Teacher will make a labeled poster showing the different parts of bone including: periosteum. Teacher will explain the importance of healthy bones, bone composition, and that the elements calcium and phosphorus are important for healthy bones.
Students will work in pair observing and describing the properties of a chicken bone - mainly that it's hard and strong. Students will place the bones in vinegar and understand that vinegar dissolves the minerals that make bones hard. Students will predict what may be different about the bones if left in vinegar for 3 days.
Then students will remove the bones from the vinegar and describe the properties of the bone. Students will then revisit their prediction and revise if necessary. Students will understand the importance of calcium and phosphorus for healthy bones.
Lesson #8: Evolution
Objectives: Students will be able to,
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1. Describe evolution
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2. Share similarities and differences between the human skeleton and that of a dog.
Teacher will prepare diagrams of the human skeleton and the skeleton of a dog and prompt the class to find similarities and differences between the two.
Lesson #9: Characteristics of living things
Objectives: Students will be able to,
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· Differentiate between living and nonliving things.
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· Describe differences between living and not living things.
Teacher will briefly overview of characteristics of living things and provide examples and none-xamples. Class will create a poster with examples of living and nonliving things. Teacher will go into further detail about the characteristics of living things, going into the most detail with organism's need to acquire materials and energy
End of the year Peabody trip
Objectives: Students will be able to,
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1. Seek and record relevant information from museum displays.
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2. Ask questions about objects and organisms.
Students will split into groups: Astronomy, Rocks and Minerals, Evolution, Mammals, and Nutrition. Each student will have a clipboard and at least five questions pertaining to their group's subject matter. Students will also generate at least two questions that the display did not answer. Students will research their group's topic in that section of the museum and present what they've learned to the class upon returning to school.
Sample questions:
Rocks and Minerals:
What are sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rock?
Where are they found? Give three examples of each.
What kind of rock are diamonds, and how are they made?
Evolution :
What is evolution?
What is the name for a scientist who studies fossils? Paleontologist.
What are fossils? Fossils are the hardened remains of living things from long ago.
What have scientists can scientists learn about animals that lived long ago by studying fossils?
Where to scientists believe that human life started in Africa: The Riff Valley in Africa.
Nutrition:
How many grams of protein should a second grader eat each day?
How many grams of sugar should a second grader eat each day?
What is a calorie?
How many teaspoons of sugar are in a serving of: Coca Cola, iced tea, fruit juice?
How is the body affected if a person is overweight?
How many hours should a second grader spend exercising each day?
Astronomy:
What are the 8 planets in order from the sun?
What is each planet composed of?
Mammals
What is a mammal?
What is a vertebrate? What is an invertebrate?
Name three mammals?
How do you know humans are mammals?