Lesley University School of Education
Lesson Plan
LESSON TITLE: Cloudy With A Chance of . . . !
Teacher’s Name: Rebecca McKittrick Date: September 10, 2010
BACKGROUND
Description of Group to be taught: This lesson will be taught to a grade one class of 20 students who are considered proficient in English language. There are two children with IEPs.
Overall Purpose: This is the introductory lesson to begin a unit on weather. The goal is to get the students excited and curious about exploring the world of weather. The book Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs will be used to draw the students into the subject. Upon completion of this lesson, the teacher will have met the following from “The Principles of Effective Teaching and Descriptors”: II-A-7, II-B-3, III-A-1, IV-A-4, IV-C-1, IV-C-2
Relationship to curriculum/theme: This lesson will introduce the topic of weather to the class and will touch on the different elements of weather. Using the book Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs will help start the lesson in a fun way.
LESSON
Objectives/Learning Outcomes:
v Students will be able to 1) form ideas about the weather and how it changes, 2) begin to understand that there are different elements to the weather. 3) will create Weather Journals to be used throughout the course of the entire unit.
v Content:
o Framework, Massachusetts Science & Technology/Engineering
§ Strand: Earth & Space (PreK-8) Standards: The Weather #3
o Framework, Massachusetts English Language Arts
§ Strand: Composition (PreK-2) Standards: 23.2, 21.1, 22.2, 19.1
§ Strand: Language (PreK-2) Standards: 1.1, 3.2
§ Strand: Reading and Literature (PreK-2) Standards: 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4
v Language: MA English Language Proficiency, Benchmarks and Outcomes
o Listening and Speaking, S.3 (FL 1, 2, 5, 6, 7; ELA 125)
o Writing, W.1 (ELA 4, 20, 23; FL 7)
o Writing, W.2 (ELA 19; FL 1)
o Writing, W.3 (ELA 20, 21, 25)
Materials:
1) Chart paper/poster paper
2) Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
3) Manuscript paper
4) Construction paper
5) Weather stickers, crayons, markers, pencils (anything to decorate cover of journal)
6) Hole punch
7) fasteners
Procedures:
1) While in a group circle time, invite the students to sing the song “Oh Mr. Sun!” with you. Ask the students what they think about when they think about a sunny day? What about a cold day or rainy day? Begin to engage the students in a discussion about the weather.
2) Introduce Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. Ask the students to notice the cover and make predictions.
3) Read Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.
4) Invite the students to discuss the weather and write responses on chart paper. Engage and encourage by asking open-ended questions.
5) Tell the students or introduce that the class will be beginning a unit about weather and that during the unit the class will learn about different elements or parts of the weather.
6) Explain the Weather Journals and the expectations that students will write an entry following each lesson of the weather unit. However, give them the option to add additional entries about their thoughts and ideas of the weather when they have free time.
7) The students will return to their seats where they will put together their own Weather Journals.
Motivational technique:
1) Inviting the students to join in on the song “Oh Mr. Sun!” and then having them, start the discussion of weather is motivation to want to learn about the weather. In addition, allowing them an opportunity to share their own experiences or ask questions is exciting for them.
Wrap up: This lesson introduces the subject of weather, which will be explored over the next several weeks through various science and language arts lessons. During this introduction, students will be able to share ideas about the weather, ask questions and create a Weather Journal to be used throughout the unit.
Assessment: During the group floor time the teacher will assess the student’s ability to listen and show respect to his/her peers as children share their own experiences or ask questions. The teacher will be able to collect information that will help give a basis for how much the class already knows and understands about the weather.
Adaptations/Modifications: If a student is not a level to write using words, the student can use pictures for the journaling part of the unit.
Pitfalls & Solutions: This is explained in Adaptations/Modifications.
Professional Standards for Teachers met by this lesson plan:
I. Basic subject matter knowledge in the curriculum frameworks
a. Plans Curriculum and Instruction
b. Delivers Effective Instruction
c. Delivers Effective Instruction
d. Manages Classroom Climate and Operation
e. Promotes Equity
f. Meets Professional Responsibilities
