Laing+08+Science





1. Grade Level-3rd grade. Content of Lesson-Classifying Sounds 2. The ultimate objective of my lesson was to explore the question, "how can we identify, classify, and categorize sounds?". The students did this by first investigating identifying sounds by going on a sound walk outside and listening to all of the sounds they hear. They demonstrated that they knew how to classify sounds by categorizing them into 3-6 groups using descriptive words. The students recorded accurate observationg by using an "I notice" chart and then categorizing by using a worksheet. The students worked in small groups while they were classifying sounds. 3. I used a few assessments in this lesson. I began my using a pre-assessment, to understand their prior knowledge of sound. (see attached for a copy). At the end of my lesson I had a sound quiz, with fill-in-the blanks, multiple choice, and short answer questions. (see attached for a copy). I informally assessed them by using an observational checklist, as I was walking around the classroom and visiting each group while they were categorizing there sounds. (see attached for a copy). 4. From the pre-assessment, I learned that the students already had a clear understanding of sound, because they had already begun their sound unit in scince class. By using the observational checklist, I learned which students were understanding and which ones were continuely not staying on task.i also used the observation checklist when each group was sharing one example with the class. When we reviewed the answers to the sound quiz at the end, I learned that majority of the students understood the concepts of the multiple choice and short answer, but some had difficulty with the fill-in-the-blanks. From analyzed their work, I learned that the concepts for the fill-in-the-blank questions were solely based on the Magic School Bus Book I read, and not necessarily from the concepts I was teaching them. 5. I will drop off examples of student work in your mailbox. 6. On recommendation regarding future instruction for the entire class would be to provide more time for discussion, whether it be before the assignment, learning the concepts, or reviewing examples. From analyzing their work, I think the students could have definetely had more practice. 7. One recommendation regarding future instruction for the students I sampled would be to give a more detailed explanation in my instruction of the assignment. Also, since some of the students did an excellent job on the sound quiz, I would pair them up to help students that did not do so well on the sound quiz. This way I would be challenging the more advanced learner and helping the student who is struggling.