LESSON PLAN OUTLINE
JMU Elementary Education Program
Monica Disch
Lauren Weston, Waterman Elementary School
Grade Level: Preschool
Date of Lesson: 11/10/2016
Date submitted to teacher: 11/08/16 TBD
A. TITLE: Fun in Fall!
B. CONTEXT OF LESSON
Before my lesson plan, I will ask the students if they can identify the season occurring right now. I will
ask them if they know anything that changes during the fall or anything they enjoy doing the fall. This
will help me understand where they are in regards to knowing the process of leaves changing during
the fall. This is an appropriate activity because each morning the students are asked the month and
their calendar also has a general picture for each day depending on that month. This fits into the
curriculum because their teacher works with them each day on learning the month. This lesson will fit
with the development of the child because it will not only allow them to learn the importance of the
season fall, but help develop them artistically through a craft. It will also help develop their social
develop and communication, since they will be answering questions and working with their peers to
all complete their own craft. I picked this lesson after talking with my cooperating teacher. She gave
me different books on fall and then I did research on Pinterest to find the craft to go along with the
book.
C. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Understand Students will
Know Students will know that
understand that fall is one of the four during fall, the some leaves change
[Link] changes can be
from green to red, orange and yellow.
observed
Do Students will glue leaves onto
a paper tree, using the three colors,
red, orange and yellow.
D. ASSESSING LEARNING
After reading the book, Fall Leaves Fall, by Zoe Hall, as a group, students will be asked what
colors the leaves change to in the fall. They will then be given a piece of paper with a tree on it. They
will have bowls of red, orange, and yellow tissue paper and use glue to glue the leaves onto their fall
tree. During the reading of the book, ask them open ended questions to test their understanding. These
questions can include:
1. What happens to the leaves to the leaves on the trees in the fall?
2. Why did the leaves change color?
3. What color did the leaves start as?
4. What happens to the leaves in the season of winter, summer, spring and fall?
E. RELATED VIRGINIA STANDARDS OF LEARNING (and NATIONAL STANDARDS if required)
Virginia Science Foundation Block 7: Earth Patterns, Cycles, and Change
I.
Children and their parents naturally make daily weather observations when deciding
what to wear and whether to carry an umbrella or bring a hat. They recognize routines
of daily activities and know if they have brushed their teeth or had snack time. They
are beginning to recognize patterns in the natural world as well.
a. Observe and recognize the characteristics of the four seasons and the changes
observed from season to season.
F. MATERIALS NEEDED
Fall Leaves Fall book by Zoe Hall, provided by cooperating teacher
Paper, Tree, provided by practicum student (students hands will be traced to create tree trunk)
Red, Orange, and Yellow tissue paper, provided by practicum student
Glue, provided by practicum student
Brown crayonsmarkers, provided by practicum student
Clean up materials (wipes)
Instructional Cards
G. PROCEDURE
Preparation of the learning environment (if required)
Before the lesson has begun, tables should be cleared and set up. Each table will have
a bowl of tissue paper, a tube of liquid glue and paper trees, depending on the number
of seats. Students will be asked to come sit on the rug in their assigned seat. The
instructor will sit in the chair at the front of the rug.
Engage -Introduction of the lesson
Today, we are going to read a book on a very special topic. First, Im going to ask
you some questions so if you know the answer, quietly raise your hand. Does anyone
know what season we are in right now? (Wait for students response). Earlier, our
calendar helper helped us learn that we are in the month of November. November is
one of the months that makes up the season of fall. Does anyone know something
special that changes outside during the fall? (wait for student responses) Today, were
going to read a book that tells us about the colors that the leaves change! After the
activity, we will go to our tables and do a fun craft! When we go outside later, see if
you notice the colors of the leaves
Implementation of the lesson (specific procedures and directions for teacher and students)
After the book is read, ask the students if they can name the three colors that the
leaves change during the fall. Have the students find a seat at one of the three tables.
Each student will get a paper with a printed out tree on it. They will trace their hands
in order to make the tree trunk. Teachers can help with tracing if students are
struggling. They will be instructed to color the tree trunk and then the teachers will
come around and give drizzle glue on the branches of trees. The students will then take
the tissue paper, crumple it and stick it as leaves of the tree. They will be encouraged
to use all three colors.
Can anyone raise their hand and tell me any of the colors that leaves change during
the fall? (Wait for response) As you go sit down at a table, youll see a print out of a
tree in front of yousee a piece of paper. You can trace your hand on the paper to make
the tree trunk. You can use your marker to color in the tree. Once youve finished
coloring your tree, raise your hand and one of us will come around and put glue on
your branches. You can crumple up the tissue paper, stick it on and use it to represent
fall leaves. If you finish early, you can also practice writing your name on your paper
and if you need help ask one of the teachers.
Closure
The closure of the activity will be given before the students go to the tables. The
teacher will ask the students to raise their hand and name one of the colors that the
leaves change during the fall.
Clean-up (if required)
Once you have finished, you can go wash your hands if they are sticky. If not, come
back and sit on the rug and listen to Ms. Westons directions.
The instructor (Monica) will collect the crafts and put them away to dry. She will
away all the excess tissue paper and makers.
H. DIFFERENTIATION
For those students who may struggle with the craft, I will have the two main teachers and myself
around the help them. Teachers will also put the glue on the paper, since at a preschool age, it would
be hard for the students. I will also give each student the opportunity to answer the questions if they
raise their hands, so that each feels their opinion is important and they do not get discouraged. For
those who finish early, I will have them practice writing their names on their paper. For those who
struggle writing their names, I will first have them write the first letter or have a teacher write it out
with them. In order to have each student learn the objectives, I will ask them at the beginning and end
of the book about the season fall and the colors that the leaves change. This allows for repetition of the
objectives so that they can better remember it.
I.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG WITH THIS LESSON AND WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT?
First, the students could be disinterested in the whole lesson. In order to prevent this, I will make sure
to show enthusiasm from the start until the end of the lesson. I will also thank students who answered
questions in order to keep them involved and excited that they were involved in the disscussion.
Another thing that could go wrong is that students could get upset if they cannot do the craft. To
prevent this, I will make sure that the teachers and I are around to make sure each child is doing okay.
I will also remember to complement each student on their craft while they are doing it, in order to help
their confidence. For example, I can say I like howsee you are using all the three colors. For the
students who finish early, they will be instructed to go back to the rug and sit in their assigned seat. If
there is a large amount of time left, they can get a book to read.
Pre-K Instruction Card Examples:
These instruction cards could be set up during the activity
Trace hHand.
Trace HandColor Tree.
Trace HandSpread glue
on tree.
Trace HandCrumple
tissue paper.
Trace HandGlue tissue
paper on tree.
Data Collection Sheet:
Objectives
Objectives Met?
Comments:
Understand Students will
understand seasonal changes
can be observed
Know Students will know that
during fall, some leaves change
from green to red, orange and
yellow.
Do Students will glue
leaves onto a paper tree, using
the three colors, red, orange and
yellow.
Data Collection Sheet Questions:
Question
Correctly Answered?
What season are we in
right now?
What happens outside
during fall?
What colors do the
leaves change in fall?
What colors are the
leaves before they
change to red, yellow
and orange?
Comments
Lesson Implementation Reflection
As soon as possible after teaching your lesson, think about the experience. Use the questions/prompts below to
guide your thinking. Be thorough in your reflection and use specific examples to support your insights.
I. How did your actual teaching of the lesson differ from your plans? Describe the changes and explain why
you made them.
II. Based on the assessment you created, what can you conclude about your impact on student learning? Did
they learn? Who learned? What did they learn? What evidence can you offer that your conclusions are
valid?
III. Describe at least one way you could incorporate developmentally appropriate practice in a better or more
thorough way if you were to teach this lesson again.
IV. Based on the assessment data you collected, what would you do/teach next if you were the classroom
teacher?
V. As a result of planning and teaching this lesson, what have you learned or had reinforced about young
children as learners?
VI. As a result of planning and teaching this lesson, what have you learned or had reinforced about teaching?
VII. As a result of planning and teaching this lesson, what have you learned or had reinforced about yourself?
