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Designing a Differentiated Lesson: Lesson Plan Example

This lesson plan was created for course EDU 551: Differentiated Instruction. The template is the design and property of Grand Canyon University. 



Section 1: Lesson Preparation

Teacher Candidate Name:

Elisabeth Page

Grade Level:

 

1st Grade

 

Date:

 

April 5, 2024

Unit/Subject:

 

Integrated Space Systems and Informational/Narrative Writing Unit: Informational writing, Narrative writing, informational texts, and traditional oral Salish stories focused on the Earth Science Standards for 1st grade.

Instructional Plan Title:

“We are Astronomers, We study Patterns in the Sky!”

 

Lesson Summary and Focus:

This lesson focuses on students identifying their world is made of patterns, focusing on the sun, that we can observe and analyze for understanding. Students will analyze the patterns made by the sun and make predictions using evidence. Students will write information/explanatory texts (mind map) in which they name a topic (sun), supply some facts about the topic (patterns observed), and provide some sense of closure (conclusions made).

Classroom and Student Factors/Grouping:

Of my ten 1st grade students, three receive speech services (via IEPs for ELL support) and need oral/written language support in the classroom. Two students qualify as Highly Capable and are offered opportunities for more advanced assignments. One student receives occupational therapy and has in-class supports for writing.

National/State Learning Standards:

NGSS: Space Systems: Patterns and Cycles

1-ESS1.1 Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted.

CCSS Writing:

1.W.2 Write information/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.

 

CCSS Reading:

1.RI.3 Describe the connection between two individuals, events, or pieces of information in a text.

Specific Learning Target(s)/Objectives:

Depth of Knowledge focus: Analyze/DoK 3:

 

When presented with non-fiction information on patterns of the sun, students will identify information within and/or across texts.

Students will analyze and draw conclusions from data, citing evidence, to generalize or explain a pattern in writing.

Students will participate in shared research and writing projects to explain the pattern they identified.

Academic Language

Academic and Content Vocabulary

·       Sun

·       Day/Night

·       North, South, East, West  

·       Sunrise/Sunset 

·       Light

·       Position

·       Pattern  

·       Prediction

 

I use a Project GLAD strategy for teaching new oral language called a Cognitive Content Dictionary. I introduce the vocabulary word, students discuss the word, use the word in context, write the word, and to support my kinesthetic learners, we act out the word. This supports all my learners as it incorporates multiple learning styles and techniques into the vocabulary acquisition.

Resources, Materials, Equipment, and Technology:

Smart TV

IPad/Online reading platform for digital ebooks

 

Students’ journals

 

Mystery Science Curriculum supports: https://mysteryscience.com/sun-shadows/day-patterns

Project GLAD Cognitive Content Dictionary  

Project GLAD based self-created mind map (attached at end of lesson)

snxÊ·meneÊ”  nqÊ·lqÊ·eltn Spokane Tribe Language and Culture. (n.a.). spqni/

 

The Sun.

       

https://www.spokanelanguageculture.com/sp-q-n-i-spqni

 

Section 2: Instructional Planning

Anticipatory Set

·       I will have photographs of sunrises/sunsets in a habitat similar to our local habitat around the room.

 

·       Students will walk the room with post-it notes to write and draw their questions/connections to the photographs. These notes will stay on the charts next to the photos.

 

·       Students and I will create an inquiry chart together. Students will share their observations and questions about the sun photographs.

 

·       I will play part of a read-aloud text from our Mystery Science curriculum support about a little boy who uses the sun to find his way home using the sunrise and sunset.  Posing the question: Can the sun help us find our way when lost? How?

 

·       Students will complete a mind map of what we learn about the sun together with support. This mind map will go into their journals.

 

·       Previous Knowledge questions I will ask students:

                Why is looking for and recognizing patterns important? How can the patterns we see in our sky and solar system help us on earth? What do astronomers do?

 

Time Needed

 

10min

Multiple Means of Representation

•           I will use a Project GLAD based inquiry chart to support students in oral language development.

•           I will use photographs to support students’ visual-cognitive development

•           I will use a read-aloud text to support visual and auditory learners.

•           I use the online Spokane Tribe Language and Culture site to access “The Sun” story in the original Salish dialect to connect my students with their Native cultural language and beliefs. 

•           I use an adaptive Project GLAD based mind-map to build students’ writing skills and connect to the state standard of writing informational text.

•           I use a Project GLAD Cognitive Content Dictionary (CCD) to build students’ academic vocabulary.

•           I model (act-out/ add movement) the words on the CCD chart to support students’ cognitive and kinesthetic learning.

Explain how you will differentiate materials for each of the following groups:

•           English language learners (ELL):

•           The CCD chart and inquiry charts support my ELL learners because they use a scaffold approach following the “”I Do, We Do, You Do” format. The instruction for new vocabulary allows ELL learners to hear the word, see/read the word, write the word, and act out the word.

•           Students with special needs:

            One student is provided a larger pencil, additional breaks when needed, and words to trace (instead of writing on his own) to support his handwriting development and stamina.

Multiple students need movement breaks to help them stay engaged. By using activities like a gallery walk, students are supported in moving their bodies to maintain engagement and connection to their learning. I will take brain breaks approximately every 15min in order for students to move their bodies and be able to reengage the lesson. This also supports students’ emotional needs for space, time away from peers, ease their sensory exposure, and helps create a claim learning environment.

•           Students with gifted abilities:

            Two of my students are gifted/highly capable learners. I partner these two students with another two so they can work together and support each other. All students have a choice in their tasks. These students are able to extend their learning with additional writing activities, working with other students, or reading more books on the topic of the sun.

•           Early finishers (those students who finish early and may need additional resources/support):

            Students will use a “Team Task Menu” if they finish early. The choices for this unit are reading additional books on the sun, moon, stars, and earth, our online reading program, or use their science journals to re-create posters and charts on the sun.

 

Time Needed

 

5-8min

 

5min

 

 

  7-8 min

 

 

10-12min

 

2min

 

Multiple Means of Engagement

•           Gallery Walk allows students time to think about what they are will be learning. They can observe the photos and generate questions about the photos. These questions go onto our inquiry chart.

•           Whole group discussions using the inquiry charts help students practice their oral vocabulary and connect it to their written vocabulary. They learn to support each other in discussions; learning to appreciate each other’s opinion and experiences.   

•           Read Aloud via the Mystery Science website builds their skills in listening and tracking print as they read. This also supports discussions and cognitive reasoning as they work to connect concepts as they read and discuss.

•           Writing using the mind map allows me to assess students’ knowledge on the sun. It helps students build fluency in writing both common and academic words. The mind map allows supports students’ skills in writing non-fiction information to an audience. 

•           Technology/Cultural Responsiveness I work with a community member who comes weekly to my class to teach my students their Native Tribal Language. We use the Spokane Tribe Language and Culture website to access “The Sun” story in the original Salish dialect. Both the English and Salish versions of the story are online. This connection between my students’ culture and academics allows students to see themselves in their learning.

 

•           Depth of Knowledge (formative) questions:

                   *It seems to me that the question I have to ask is....

                   *I would like to find more about....

                   *I noticed that..., and now I wonder....

                   * If the sun does this...then what happens when it does this….

* How does the information we’ve learned about the sun connect to the Salish story   we listened to?

 

Explain how you will differentiate activities for each of the following groups:

•           English language learners (ELL):

Gallery walk allows every student to engage because they make their own connections and questions tied to the photos.   

The Inquiry Chart supports ELL students see how their oral language appears when written.

•           Students with special needs:

Because of the diversity of my lesson activities all of my students can engage with the content through reading, writing, oral discussions, and movement.

•           Students with gifted abilities:

Students can write more about the topic, they may use the online reading program and read books on the topic, or they can use the Team Task menu and complete any task as an extension activity.  

•           Early finishers (those students who finish early and may need additional resources/support):

Students may add details or write more information in their journals. Students who need additional support may work with a fellow classmate. They may also choose to complete another task from the Team Task menu to complete.

Time Needed

 

5-7 min

 

 

5min

 

 

 

 

 

10min

 

 

10-12min

 

 

 

 

7-8min

Multiple Means of Expression

·       Students will identify the patterns the sun follows.

·       Students will analyze the patterns they observed and discuss how those patterns affect us on earth.

·       Students will participate in class discussions; using academic vocabulary to discuss the sun’s patterns.

·       Students will create a mind map about the sun using information from the Mystery Science text, classroom charts, and CCD chart for academic vocabulary.

·     Students are not required to write in complete sentences. Short phrases using the academic vocabulary are accepted as signs of mastery for this lesson. Students may write additional sentences or short paragraph if desired.

 

Explain how you will differentiate assessments for each of the following groups:

·       English language learners (ELL):

·           Students can use sentence stems “I wonder...” “I think...” for support when asking questions during discussions.

·           Students can use the CCD charts for support in writing the academic vocabulary.

·           Students may work with a partner when appropriate

·       Students with special needs:

·     More time will be given to complete the summative assessment.

·     Student may have support from a para-professional or myself.

·      Student can use larger pencil. If needed, I will write the longer academic words in highlighter so my student can trace the words.

 

·       Students with gifted abilities:

 

·     Students may choose to write more in their journals; using the mind map and other charts for information

 

·       Early finishers (those students who finish early and may need additional resources/support):

 

·     Students may choose a team task to complete.

Time Needed

 

10-12min

 

 

Extension Activity and/or Homework

No homework is given at the first grade level. The Salish story “The Sun” (in both English and Salish) will be sent home for students to read with their families. Access codes and login information to our online reading platforms have been sent home for students to engage with their learning at home.

Time Needed

 

(Preptime) of 15-20min





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