ED 345 Calvin University Teacher Intern Lesson Plan

Teacher Intern: Dani Roskamp Date:

Mentor Teacher: Brenda Riegler
Grade Level: K/1st Subject/ Topic: Introduction/ Rainforests
Approx. time spent planning this lesson:

DOMAIN 1: PLANNING & PREPARATION

Main Focus/Essential Questions​: ​(What are the big ideas and/or questions you will answer in
this lesson?)

This lesson will cover the general characteristics of a rainforest.

Brief Context​: ​(How does this lesson tie into the unit or the rest of the curriculum?)

This will give students an introduction to the rainforest, where it is, and who or what may live
there.

Prerequisite Knowledge/Skills​: ​(What skills are necessary for the students to have mastered
or understood before they can understand this new content?)

This is an introductory lesson but students should just be able to write and draw.

Lesson Objectives/Learning Targets Aligned Assessments ​(​What will the students

(What do you expect your students to know do to demonstrate comprehension of the
upon completion of the lesson? curriculum? Consider formative & summative
tools.)

The learner will: I will assess learning by:

● Describe general characteristics of ● Discussion
a rainforest ● All about Rainforests sheet

Standards Addressed: ​(Include full standard.)

W.1.8. With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather 
information from provided sources to answer a question. 
 
Instructional Resources and Materials: ​(List resources including classroom, community, and
supplemental student resources. Include technology and cite websites.)

National Geographic Rainforest Video

KWL Chart
Rainforest fact sheet
Pencils and crayons

Consideration of Learners: ​(​Note how you have responded to your diverse learners. Consider
UDL -Multiple means of Engagement, Representation, Action & Expression- & principles of
differentiation.)

Engagement- Show students a video so they are able to see what the rainforest really looks like
Action and Expression- Students will watch a video, share what they want to learn, and fill out
their facts sheets

Individual Accommodations: ​(​Identify accommodations you will make in response to needs

and/or interests of a student or group of students.)

Students will be able to fill out their fact sheets with pictures and write little if necessary (L.T.)

DOMAIN 2: THE CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT

Building respectful relationships: ​(Note any specific ways in which you plan to establish rapport,
build mutual trust, monitor & maintain relationships. Consider student-teacher &
student-student relationships.)

Students will have the opportunity to share their fact sheets with the class and share a
compliment once presented.

Organizational routines: ​(Identify​ ways that you have intentionally organized time, space,
materials, & students to minimize disruptions and maximize learning.)

Sheets are already printed out.

KWL chart is already drawn.

Specifying & reinforcing productive behavior: ​(Note​ how expectations are specified, productive
behavior is reinforced and disruptive behavior is redirected.)

Voice level chart

Point out students who are following directions
DOMAIN 3: INSTRUCTION- [Content Management]
Motivation/Opening/Intro: ​(Think creatively about how to recruit learning. Tell a story, show an
object, etc.)

Teacher Students

1. Students come to carpet 1. Come to carpet for introduction

● Intro to our unit: Rainforests
(KWL chart)
● How could you learn more
about rainforests by yourself?
(Research)
● We will learn about different
ways to do this later on in the
unit

Development: ​(It may help to number your steps with corresponding times. Be creative and
consider authentic audiences and tasks. Think beyond giving an assignment or independent
practice. What visuals/real life objects will you incorporate? How will you incorporate your
Christian world-view and/or a real-life application? How does this lesson lend itself towards
discovering something new about God’s world? Have you communicated the why of learning?
Are your objectives clear to students? Have you asked questions that deepen understanding
and probe student’s prior knowledge?)

Teacher Students

2. Intro video (National Geographic) 2. Go to own seat or seat closer to the screen.
● Discuss temperate vs.
tropical rainforests (Where
would they be?)
● How is this the same/different
from forests around us?
3. Characteristics fact sheet 3. Fill out characteristic fact sheet.
● Discuss other characteristics
of a rainforest (sheet)
○ What is grown
○ Over half of the
animal population
Closure​: ​(Think about how you can articulate the most important concept you want your
students to learn and take home with them. Discuss how they can apply this skill/concept to the
real world.)

Teacher Students

4. All about the rainforest sheet 4. Share rainforest fact sheet at the rug.
● Students can begin to fill out
their rainforest fact sheet with
new things they’ve learned
● (write/pictures)