Teacher: Lexi Kaner Subject Area: Morals and Identity

Grade Level: Kindergarten Length of Lesson: 45 minutes

Desired Results

Indiana Academic Standard(s)

SE1.1 Demonstrate self-awareness and confidence

Enduring Understandings

Everyone is unique and that is ok.

Sometimes people may be like each other, or like the same things but that does not make them the same.

Essential Question(s)

What does it mean to be unique?

Is it ok to be different?

How do our differences make the world a better place?

Knowledge and Skill Objectives

SWBAT discuss what it means to be unique.

SWBAT demonstrate what characteristics of being unique are.

SWBAT give examples of things in their world that are unique.

Assessment Evidence

Class discussion

Unique pumpkin activity

Learning Plan

Learning Activities

Read the book Spookley the Square Pumpkin.

Class discussion about how Spookley is different from the other pumpkins.

Brief PowerPoint of the definition of being unique, characteristics of being unique, and Disney characters that are unique.

Students will individually create paper plate pumpkins that are unique to them using colorful tissue paper squares.

Resources and Materials

Spookly book

Computer with PowerPoint

Paper plates, glue, construction paper, tissue paper squares, sharpie

Required Accommodations/Modifications

None needed

.Name____________________________________ Date_______ Period____

Lesson Plan Evaluation & Teaching Reflection

Was the content worth knowing? Support your response.

I believe it was definitely worth knowing. Some of my kindergarteners knew what it meant to be unique right away, but others were blown away by the lesson. In an ever-changing world it is very important that the kids understand what it means to be unique and why it is ok!

Describe how the activity was developmentally appropriate.

It was appropriate because my students are so young so introducing a children’s book, discussing Disney characters, and doing a craft is a good way to bring up a new topic without overwhelming them.

Give an example of how you know the activity was interesting to the children.

Throughout the book the students were constantly adding comments related to the book and engaging in discussion which shows that I had their attention. At that age the only way to hold their attention is for them to be interested.

Describe how the activity included opportunities for the children to test their knowledge.

I chose not to immediately tell them what it means to be unique and how it related to the book. Instead once I had finished the book I chose to ask them what was special about Spookley and when one of my students answered that he is unique I asked them what that meant. That gave them a chance to know me their knowledge instead of me just giving them the answer.

Describe a follow up activity that would build on concepts you have presented.

A good follow up activity for my lesson would be to ask them to write how they are unique. Since they are so young it would most likely have to be a list of traits instead of a paragraph but I feel that it would still be effective.

What behavior(s) did you observe while presenting the activity? What do you think caused the behavior(s)?

I noticed that sometimes they would begin to chatter amongst themselves during transitions. I believe that is just a factor of their age.

How did you involve the children in the closure of the activity?

As they finished their pumpkins I had them put it out to dry instead of just doing it for them and then I gave them a sticker for their hard work.

Describe what changes you would make and what you would keep the same if you presented the activity again.

If I were to do the lesson again I would definitely give each table a small bowl of the tissue paper squares. I had them come up by table and grab them from a big tub, but it got very chaotic. I would definitely keep all of the same activities. The only other thing I would change is making sure I have the PowerPoint up before the lesson starts. I thought it would be a distraction during the book, but I found that not having it up before made that transition especially hard.

Here is a picture of their unique pumpkins!!!