Name: Sara Zavadsky Lesson Topic: Energy: Renewable & Non-renewable Resources Date: April 27, 2010 School/

grade level/ number of students: South Milwaukee High School, 9th grade ! Physical science, 22 students Name of Cooperating Teacher: Dave Nelson Planning and preparation: I really wanted to challenge the students in a way that they have not been challenged before by allowing them to practice their ability to write and speak to demonstrate their learning and understanding. They do not get the chance to do this often so I wanted to challenge them in this way and allow them to learn in a different way. I was able to teach the lesson and incorporate both the group work activity and mini class discussion in the allotted time. The students stayed on task and worked really hard and were very encouraging of their classmates, which made it easy to monitor the time and ensure that we got through everything I wanted and that each group was able to present. When I was planning this lesson I used my co-op teachers notes. This was helpful because then I knew exactly what the students were expected to know and learn for the test. I was able to add some things in which they found interesting, but at least I knew that I was covering everything that they were expected to learn. Most of my instruction was based on things/activities that I came up with, so it would be something different for the students. Classroom environment: The students were all very excited to get the opportunity to work in groups and work with one another to complete the task. The students usually do not have the opportunity to learn in a group setting and have the chance to learn on their own through group work. Every student participated because they were excited to be doing something that was challenging and fun for them, so it was easy to facilitate their learning and allow them to work with one another. I walked around and listened to the groups while they were working to make sure that they were staying on task. It was also helpful to oat around to each group and ask a lot of questions and challenge the students to think out side of the box while applying scientic frameworks., to make sure that the students were working hard and staying on task. I was very surprised to see how well the students worked with each other. It was great to see their group interactions and ability to work together to accomplish a common goal, especially because they do not get the chance to learn in this way often. The students responded great to my questions and it was great to walk around and see them all having fun with the assignment. The students were really comfortable asking me questions and working with each other.

Instruction: I started with a mini lecture to introduce and teach the concepts of energy resources and energy conservation. I wanted students to use what they already know and bring that into my instruction so they could relate to what I was talking about and have a basis for where I would challenge them to go on their own. I wanted to give them the chance to work in groups, write a paragraph, and present to the class their ideas to really challenge them in three different ways to show what they have learned and that learning and challenging yourself can be interactive and exciting. They do not get to work with one another and incorporate writing and speech into their learning so I wanted to make sure that I could do this for them and teach them how to effectively communicate with one another, me, and the class. I think that they excelled at this and they had fun with the activity and my objective for their learning was meet. At rst they were unsure of how they could demonstrate their learning through writing and speaking. This was something new to them so they just needed to have a little guidance and reassurance. I had to work a little harder at explaining how to effectively communicate what the had learn in a paragraph, while using analysis. This is something that took me years to gure out and something that I am still learning at Alverno, so next time I might give a demonstration of what I was looking for so they could use it as a template and not feel like they have to know how to do something that they have never really done before. Assessment: The students excelled at this assignment and really demonstrated their understanding in a number of ways (layout of city, paragraph, and presentation). I know that the students learned what I taught them because they were able to apply it to the construction of their city and they were able to explain both in writing and in speech what, how, and why why they chose to incorporate the types of energy that they did. All my objectives were meet and I would use this lesson in the future, the students really responded well to it and learned a lot. Next lesson I would bring in articles for the students to read that explain how energy is being used all around the world (renewable and non-renewable) and how energy is being conserved. I would then lead a panel where the students would read the article and then discuss them with the class and argue whether or not they support what the article suggests, using scientic frameworks as their evidence. Professional responsibilities: I talked with both my cooperating teacher and the students to see how I could improve for the next time that I would teach this lesson, or any other lesson in the future. Both my co-op teacher and students said that they were really impressed with my teaching and they learned a lot form me, and they had little suggestions for improvement. The students suggested that I move around a little more when I am doing the notes/minilecture. They said that sometimes I stood in front of the projector and they had to wait until I moved to see the screen. Moving around more would also help to ensure that the

students are paying attention to me because it would be more exciting than me just sitting/ standing in the same place and trying to hold their attention. My co-op teacher suggested that I could work on having a little more command of the classroom. I do not struggle with this but he said it was something that I could work on now, especially if I will be working with upper classmen because sometimes they are harder to get control of. Once I was trying to get the classes attention and I had to raise my voice a few times until they heard me. He suggested that I be a little more assertive and not be afraid to take command. I will use both of these suggestions to ensure that I become the leader of the classroom. Walking around and using more of the physical space of the classroom will also help me to establish my role as the teacher and show that I am in charge. Reection: I learned that I do not always have to be in front of the classroom instructing the students in order for them to learn. When students are given the opportunity to learn on their own and with one another in a group setting they are able to meet objectives, and are challenged to learn through discovery. I learned that students like to be challenged and challenged to think in different ways. The assignment that I had to asses their learning and understanding, challenged them and gave them the opportunity to learn in a different way then they have before. When students are assessed in many different ways, they are able to make connections and learn through their own self discovery. I plan to use many different ways to asses students learning which will make learning exciting and challenge the students to think and apply at higher levels of understanding. This will also ensure that all my students are given the opportunity to learn because I will incorporate all different learning styles. This lesson showed my ability to grow and improve on Wisconsin Teaching Standard #3 (my ability to be aware of the differing learning styles and ways of incorporating instruction that will engage all of my students) and the Alverno Advanced Ability of Communication (which means that I can effectively communicate what I am teaching and the objectives that I have to my students). I was able to incorporate opportunities for all learners (visual, kinesthetic, and auditory) to learn and be involved in this activity. I know that I was effective with my ability to communicate because the students were able to complete the task.
Sara, This was a great lesson. You had the students very interested and motivated. This topic is something that the students could relate to. You followed your objectives and accomplished what you set out to do. Your pacing was good, and your use of the group activity broke up the lesson just enough. You are right on when you say that students can learn from themselves as readily as from the teacher. Sometimes what they learn from each other stays with them longer! Your assessment was a great way to see exactly what the students had learned and it didnt have to be paper and pencil to do that. You have such a comfortable way with your students. You can just hear and see the excitement you have for teaching. Always keep that enthusiasm this is what your students deserve! Great Job!!