week 9 - Science lesson 4 - whale watching

Candidate’s Name: Malka Wallerstein

Grade Level: 3-4

Title of the lesson: whale watching

Length of the lesson: 1-2 hours

Central focus The students will research and analyze the positive and negative effects of whale watching.

Knowledge of students to inform teaching Students are familiar with different kinds of whales and their parts. They are familiar with whale migration and many facts about whales. Some students have gone whale watching or other animal watching.

Common Core State Standards                CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.6 Compare and contrast a firsthand and secondhand account of the same event or topic; describe the differences in focus and the information provided. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.7 Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

Support literacy development through language (academic language) Students will analyze both the positive and negative aspects of whale watching.

Learning objectives  1.Students will discuss the pros and cons of whale watching 2. Students will research on the internet about whale watching and answer specific questions 3. Students will give make a presentation using Prezi or PowerPoint about their opinion on whale watching.

Formal and informal assessment (including type[s] of assessment and what is being assessed) Explain how the design or adaptation of your assessment allows students with specific needs to demonstrate their learning. Consider all students, including students with IEPs, ELLs, struggling readers, and/or gifted students. Formal Assessment - The students will be graded on their presentation of their opinion on whales. There will be a specific rubric and it will be graded accordingly.

Instructional procedure: I will start off the lesson asking the students if they have ever gone whale watching or any other type of animal watching? We will have a class discussion of their feeling and fears when they saw the animals so close up. I will show them a short video clip of whale watching so all students can get an idea of whale watching. The teacher will show the class some places where you can go on a whale watching tour using Google maps. Students will research and explore the positive and negative effects of whale watching tours on the internet. They will be grouped in 4 and will type up a list of pros and cons of whale watching tours. They will discuss some questions that the teacher posted up on the whiteboard. The students will be able to add graphics to their list and the teacher will print it out so they can hang it on the bulletin board. After, student will take a side and further research it on the computers. Using the rubric the students will create a presentation of their opinion on whale watching using Prezi or Power point. The students will each have a chance to present the work to the class.

Instructional resources and materials used to engage students in learning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiJw2AaWLUg. White board Google Maps Computers

Reflection This lesson allows for students to do research and come up with their own opinion. It gives students the opportunity to think and express themselves using technology.