LESSON PLAN TEMPLATE

Name: Adrienne Woolbright Date: February 26, 2012 Grade Level/Subject: Kindergarten/ Science Prerequisite Knowledge: Know that penguins have characteristics like waxy feathers and blubber which keeps them warm in their environment; the Arctic. Approximate Time: 20-30 minutes Student Objectives/Student Outcomes: Students will be able to feel what a penguin feels like in cold water with blubber compared to what they would feel without blubber Content Standards: 12.B.1a Describe and compare characteristics of living things in relationship to their

environments.
Materials/Resources/Technology: Crisco, Bucket with ice cold water, plastic bags, soap, water, paper towels Implementation:

Time
5 mins

Opening of lesson: (Objectives, hook, behavior expectations) I will activate students prior knowledge by asking them where penguins live? (Arctic, Antarctica). I will then ask them how penguins stay warm in this cold climate? They may recall their waxy feathers which repeals cold water as well as their blubber which insulates them. I will then tell students we are going to do an experiment to see what it feels like to have blubber. Students will be at their tables and I will explain the procedure. Procedures: Include critical thinking questions and accommodations for individual needs I will explain to students how this experiment works. I will rub Crisco all over one of their fingers. They will then place this finger with the Crisco into the cold water along with another finger that is not covered in Crisco. I will not tell them which finger will represent blubber but instead will want them to think of the features of blubber and make their own decision. Which finger is colder? Why do you think the finger covered in Crisco is warmer? I will supply plastic bags if students dont want the Crisco directly on their finger. One of my students is Autistic and may not like this activity due to the texture and his sensory issues. Therefore if he, or any of my other students dont want the Crisco right on their finger they can do this activity with their hand in a bag and the Crisco on the bag. I will call students up in groups of two or three to do the activity. While they are waiting to be called they should read at their desk quietly and wait for their turn. Summary/Closing: At the end we will come together as a class and discuss what we felt during the experiment. Which finger was warmer? What does the Crisco represent in the experiment?

10-15 mins

5 mins

Student Assessment: While I am with groups of students at the experiment table I will be listening to and asking them questions such as which finger do you think will be warmer in the water and why? While their fingers are in the water I will ask which one is warmer? Do you think blubber really works in the Arctic?