U05a2 – Project 2 – Spotlight on Strategies

For project 2 I chose to use a K-W-L strategy to help develop a lesson that will help my first graders learn the parts of a plant and what the purpose of each part is.    The reason I chose this strategy is because it not only helps me understand what each student already knew going into the lesson, but it will help each student truly understand what they have learned about the topic and whether their prior knowledge was correct or not.  The K-W-L process also helps me assess whether or not the students truly grasped the information taught.  To view the lesson, which was created at smore.com, please click here.   This lesson not only includes still images, but also video, song and an interactive game.  By integrating a variety of digital media, each student has an opportunity to have the information being taught solidified in their mind.  By the time the students have viewed images and videos, learned a song and played an interactive game the lesson will be formed in their minds.  When they fill in the LEARNED column on the K-W-L chart, they will absolutely know what they have learned about plant parts and their purpose.  The wide variety of media presented works with all the learning styles.  The students who learn best through their visual and auditory senses will benefit from the videos.  The students who learn best kinesthetically will benefit from the interactive game. The students who learn from music will benefit from the song.  Students who learn best from reinforcement will benefit from the information being taught in several different formats.  Students who learn best from technology will benefit from the wide range of technological resources being utilized.  This lesson will work well with first graders who get bored easily and have a short attention span.  Kindergarten through second grade students will benefit most from this lesson.