I have Alsworking on my lesson plans sporadically over the last few weeks. My first unit pretty much planned itself. Once I got started with it, it went pretty smoothly. I am sure that I will make some changes as I go along, but I have the majority done.
I am starting the first three days (we start back on a Wednesday) going over procedures and expectations. In between some of that, I will be making introductions, having the students take a multiple intelligence survey, and helping students figure out how they learn best. If I have time, I will also fit in how what they want to be when they grow up connects to what they will be learning this year.
The second week (first full week), I will have the students set up their interactive science notebooks and introducing them to concept maps. The other science teacher in seventh grade introduced me to concept maps last year, and I love them. Each unit has its own concept map, and each unit is divided into three sections. Each sections has its essential questions and vocabulary. At the end of each week during the unit, a section is due. Students are to answer the essential questions and define the vocabulary. It helps with pacing and students knowing what is going on and where we are going.
This link will take you to my concept map page on my school website. Concept Map
Also during the second week, students will take the pre-test that we are required to give at the beginning of each year. (I actually have a doctor's appointment scheduled for that day and was thrilled when I realized that I had planned the pre-test for that day. Makes it so easy for a sub!) The next day, I have students working on team work. As a whole class, they will do the human knot activity. Then, in their groups of four, my students will be working as a group to complete this activity: Group Activity. I found this blog through Pinterest, and it is great! I have already bookmarked several things that she does that I can convert into middle school lessons.
The next day, I am getting started into the science of things. With science, there is something I have to teach before we can do anything else: SAFETY! Safety is crazy important because it can get you into a lot of trouble. I am planning on using this picture to talk about what is wrong and what is right in the lab. Then, I will jump into safety notes (bleh...). Students will then work on their safety poster. I have them write a safety rule at the top of the page, draw the INCORRECT procedure on the left, and draw the CORRECT procedure on the right. Last year, I just posted pictures around the room, but this year, I am going to have the students present their posters.
The third week, I am going to begin with science tools. Last year, I did not talk about tools to use in science until we needed to use them. This year, however, I am going to spend a day talking about the tools and what they are used for. I am going to introduce the tools, and then, use stations so that the students can get used to using them.
The next day, students will take notes on the parts of the microscope. After that, students will practice using the microscopes with pre-made slides. I end the week with a short quiz on safety and microscopes.
After the quiz, I will start observations and inferences. I will save all of that for another post!
Last year, I did not spend a lot of time on the first unit. This year, I am changing that. It is important for students to understand safety, how to use tools, and about the scientific method. I am hoping that spending the time at the beginning of the year going over these things will help with everything else moving forward.
Next week, I can get back into my classroom and start setting up for the year. Once I have things looking more put together, I will post some pictures!
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