Lesson Plan : Completing the Puzzle
Teacher Name: | Ms. McCauley |
Grade: | Grade 6 |
Subject: | Other |
Topic: | Classroom Community |
Content: | The lesson is focusing on key elements necessary for a postive classroom environment & community. |
Goals: | The goal of this lesson is to develop a cohesive classroom brought together through common goals, interests and compassion for one another. |
Objectives: | 1. Students to realize their presence and cooperation are key to the success of the classroom. 2. Students establish elements they believe are necessary and are willing to follow for a cooperative classroom. |
Materials: | 22 puzzle pieces 1 completed puzzle piece to use as an example markers (Sharpies) crayons colored pencils |
Introduction: | Have students brainstorm about components, elements or behaviors they think are key to creating a postive learning environment. What kind of classroom do they want to have? What are they willing to do? Record students' ideas on chalkboard by using a web or a list. |
Development: | Ask the students how many of them like puzzles. What is one of the most disappointing things about doing a puzzle? (when you are missing a piece) When you are missing a piece you can't have a complete puzzle. You don't get to see the whole picture as it was intended. Explain to the class, they are just like a puzzle. Each one of them represents a unique piece (unique design and shape), but each one of them is necessary to complete the puzzle. Can any of their goals be accomplished with only one person participating? Or do they need the cooperation from the entire class? Without them the puzzle (Mrs. Bruninga's 6th grade class) is incomplete. Each student will recieve a puzzle piece. On one side they will record and decorate one element they feel is necessary for a positive, cooperative learning environment. They will write/decorate the remaining side with their name. Share the example with the students. Stress that both these elements are necessary for the type of puzzle (outcome) we want. (i.e. Both Austin and having a postive attitude, the idea he selected, are necessary components for a postive learning environment. Give them a minute or two to decide what attribute they are going to use on their puzzle piece. If necessary, record students names next to the component they picked. Ask the students if they see a theme or any connecting ideas from the list they just made. |
Practice: | Allow students time to think about how they are going to design their puzzle piece. Remind them they only have one puzzle piece. It would be a good idea to outline their ideas in pencil or sketch them on another piece of paper. Also, while their puzzle pieces are intented to be creative and decorative, they need to be legiable and written clearly. We wouldn't want a messy, unclear puzzle! |
Accommodations: | Provide a little more guidance or prompting when asking for key elements in a cooperative learning environment. Ensure the students are ok with spelling. |
Checking For Understanding: | |
Closure: | As students are completing their pieces, being putting the puzzle (heart) together. Allow them to see how all of their pieces (their ideas & their names) come together to make one heart. They are bound together by their hopes and aspirations. |
Evaluation: | |
Teacher Reflections: |
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