Fluffy Clouds and Model Lessons

Fluffy Little Clouds and Model Lessons

Mike Bryant and Lance Rougeux

How do you know when you’ve designed a really good lesson?

Designing a model lesson

• Learning objective• Anticipatory set• State the lesson

objectives (EQs)• Direct Instruction/Input• Check for understanding• Guided practice

• Independent practice

• To practice technique

• Show end result

• To learn how to paint fluffy little clouds

• Demonstration with narrative

• Observation

• Model technique, students practice

• Assign more fluffy little clouds for homework

Planning for Effective Instruction: Lesson Design in Enhancing Teaching by Madeline Hunter, 1994.

Learning Objective

Learning Objectives

DE Science Elementary

“5-Minute Prep” For

Ecosystems

What is an Ecosystem?

Parts of Ecosystems

Science Class – Room 103

Ecosystems

Mr. Rougeux

1

Anticipatory Set andDirect Instruction/Input

Anticipatory Set

What would happen to the bees if there were no flowers?

2

As a pre-assessment, have students create a diagram that shows their own ecosystem.

Have students show the living and non-living parts of their ecosystem and how they depend on one another.

Lesson ObjectivesEssential Questions

Lesson Essential Questions

• What makes up a balanced or healthy ecosystem?• How are the parts of an ecosystem interdependent?• What can happen if an ecosystem becomes

unbalanced?• How does energy flow through an ecosystem?

3

                                                                                         What makes up a balanced or healthy ecosystem?

How are the parts of an ecosystem interdependent?

What can happen if an ecosystem becomes unbalanced?

How does energy flow through an ecosystem?

Guided Practice

Guided or Directed Inquiry

What makes up a balanced or healthy ecosystem?

How are the parts of an ecosystem interdependent?

Check for understanding

Parts of Ecosystems – Common Misconceptions

• Ecosystems contain only living things.– Reality: Ecosystems contain both living and non living

components.

• Ecosystems are not a functioning whole, but simply a collection of organisms.– Reality: In an ecosystem, organisms depend on one another for

energy. Plants use the sun’s energy to make their own food. Some animals feed on plants, and some animals feed on other

animals.

Who was paying attention?

• Ecosystems contain only living things.– Reality: Ecosystems contain both living and non living

components.

• Ecosystems are simply a collection of organisms.– Reality: In an ecosystem, organisms depend on one another for

energy. Plants use the sun’s energy to make their own food. Some animals feed on plants, and some animals feed on other

animals.

4

Independent Practice

Have students create a diagram that shows their own ecosystem.

Have students show the living and non-living parts of their ecosystem and how they depend on one another.

Coming soon…

Let’s look at what we created…

Science Class – Room 103

Ecosystems

Mr. Rougeux

What would happen to the bees if there were no flowers?

Lesson Essential Questions

• What makes up a balanced or healthy ecosystem?• How are the parts of an ecosystem interdependent?• What can happen if an ecosystem becomes

unbalanced?• How does energy flow through an ecosystem?

Who was paying attention?

• Ecosystems contain only living things.– Reality: Ecosystems contain both living and non living

components.

• Ecosystems are simply a collection of organisms.– Reality: In an ecosystem, organisms depend on one another for

energy. Plants use the sun’s energy to make their own food. Some animals feed on plants, and some animals feed on other

animals.

Your turn

Designing a model lesson

• Select a concept and go the model lesson • Build a classroom resource using the 5-

minute prep that reflects the seven essential components for a model lesson– Learning objective

– Anticipatory set (slide)

– State the lesson objectives/essential questions (slide)

– Direct Instruction/Input

– Check for understanding (slide)

– Guided practice

– Independent practice

• Fluffy clouds (optional)