Lesley University School of Education
Lesson Plan
LESSON TITLE: Down Comes the Rain!
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 a science lesson that is part of a unit on weather. Specifically the unit focuses on the basic elements of weather and this particular lesson will teach the students about why it rains and how rain is recycled. 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: Precipitation is an element of weather and rain is one form of precipitation. This lesson will be incorporated into the weather unit that discusses the basic elements of weather. Prior to this lesson, a “Weather Journal” was introduced to the class. Each student has a journal and will add to the journal each time a new topic is covered. Following this lesson, students will be given time to journal about their experience learning about rain.
LESSON
Objectives/Learning Outcomes:
v Students will be able to 1) understand what rain is and why it rains 2) understand how rain is recycled by nature.
v Content:
o Framework, Massachusetts Science & Technology/Engineering.
§ Strand: Earth & Space (PreK-8) Standards: The Water Cycle- 10, 11
§ Strand: Earth & Space (PreK-8) Standards: The Weather- 6,7
v Language: MA English Language Proficiency, Benchmarks and Outcomes
o Listening and Speaking, S.3 (FL 1, 2, 5, 6, 7; ELA 125)
Materials:
1) Chart paper/poster paper
2) Down Comes The Rain by Franklyn M. Branley
3) A plate
4) Drinking glass
5) Ice cubes
Procedures:
1) As a group, the class will discuss what they know about rain and water outside. Ask the class about different types of rain, like freezing rain. Is snow a type of rain?
2) Ask the class if they have noticed a large puddle outside after it rains?
3) Have they wondered what happens to the puddle and why it eventually disappears?
4) Read the book Down Comes The Rain.
5) Read the book once all the way through.
6) Go back to the book and discuss each part of the book as it describes water vapor, rain, freezing rain, evaporation, etc.
7) As you go back through the book, take moments to stop and work together on the activities described by the author. This will be done in small groups.
8) After completing the activities in the book, set-up an observation station in the class. The station should include a plate with water on it. Find or create a puddle outside. Throughout the day, the class will monitor both the water on the plate inside and the puddle outside. Make predictions about which water will evaporate first. Hypothesize why they determine their answer to the question. Record the predictions and then the final results. Discuss.
9) Allow students the opportunity to write in their journals about the activity.
Motivational technique:
1) A silly song or dance about rain is always great motivation AND it will help to get some energy out as the students prepare to sit quietly for a group discussion and story.
Wrap up: The lesson begins with a silly song and/or movement activity to allow the children to release some energy prior to sitting for a story and group discussion. The class discusses rain and shares what they know about rain. Following the discussion, the teacher introduces and reads the book Down Comes The Rain. The teacher will then read the book a second time breaking for the class to participate in the activities that are in the book. Upon completion, the class will set-up a station with a plate of water and then creates a puddle of similar size outside. The class will monitor the plate of water and the puddle to see which evaporates more quickly. Prior to starting this, the class will make predictions, create a hypothesis and then record the final results.
Assessment: By placing the students in small groups to perform the different activities in the book, the teacher will be able to assess each group’s understanding of the concept of rain, water and how it is recycled or evaporates. The teacher will also be able to assess the students understanding of predicting, creating a hypothesis and recording results.
Adaptations/Modifications: If the teacher feels that the class needs to take the subject at a slower pace, the lesson can be split into two parts. The first part would end after the first reading of Down Comes The Rain. Following the reading/book discussion, students will be asked to write a journal entry in their “Weather Journal.” At a different time or day, the teacher will revisit the lesson and complete it with the activities. Journal time will be given at the end of the second part of the lesson as well.
Pitfalls & Solutions: If the lesson is performed during days of heavy consistent rain, there may not be opportunity or time to observe rain evaporating outside vs. inside. In this case, the lesson may need to be postponed or that part of the lesson is done at a different time.
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
