Phase 2: Reflection on Lesson 2 Implementation!!

1. Instructional Decisions/Teaching (InTask standard #9):

After teaching my second lesson, I believe the overall implementation process went more smoothly than this time around. I was sure to be completely prepared with the technology (website used) and worksheets printed for all students before class began. I was also sure to have plenty of options for student to do if they finished early and needed something to do while others finished. This lesson also filled the entire 30 minutes. The alignment to the objectives and standards were maintained throughout the lesson by the activities and groups discussions I planned for them to complete. The students were given plenty of time to explore the website on Acid Rain and were held accountable for the quiz given by me at the end of the lesson. We discussed the quiz immediately after the students were done to ensure everyone walked away with the correct answers and cleared up any confusions. If students finished early, they were given a word search with acid rain vocabulary form the website to better familiarize themselves with this terminology. Throughout the lesson, I made a few modifications when students were working on their computers. I initially allowed them to choose what they wanted to do while working quietly, however, some students went directly to the games and skipped the informational videos and readings. After realizing this, I began to walk around and make sure students were on task and taking notes on what they found interesting/ what would help them on their quiz. 

2. Mechanics

I chose to integrate technology throughout this lesson by having students spend a majority of their time exploring a website on the lessons topic -- acid rain! This website offered great information for students to read about in a very student friendly layout. It also offered short informational videos along with educational games and activities for students to complete. This technology was used individually by students to explore throughout the lesson. This time around, my lesson was exactly 30 minutes long. I believe this was due to all of the different options I had for students to complete individually on their computers. This allowed for some flexibility in case one of the students finished early and/or later than others. Also, I believe the implementation of the first lesson helped me gauge just how long a 30 minute lesson looks like and how to better plan for one. Creating and implementing the first lesson definitely helped me plan this time around.

3. Assessment of Learning (InTask Standard #6)

Acid rain vocabulary word search!!! :)

Quick write and quiz!!! :)

Another quick write and quiz!!! :)

After reviewing my artifacts, I believe my students were very successful at achieving the state standards and objectives I chose for my lesson. All of my students were able to discuss what acid rain is, how it negatively impacts the environment, and how they can help minimize it in their community. After reflecting on the implementation of this lesson, I believe I was very successful and achieved exactly what I set out to when planning. My classmates gave me very positive feedback on my reflection survey, however, I do plan to incorporate more videos and/or exmaples for students in my next lesson. The website I chose was very helpful, but I think I need to help students make more meaningful connections to their own lives. For example, I could have found more information and ways to help out specifically in Flagstaff instead of keeping these ideas very general.

4. What did you learn from designing and teaching this lesson and how will you use this in the creation in future lessons/learning activities?

After designing and teaching this lesson, I've once again learned the importance of preparing and planning in advance. I've learned how crucial it is for the teacher to be flexible and allow for students to work at their own pace when completing the different tasks. Also, this lesson and my peers have taught me the importance of helping my future students make real and meaningful connections to their daily lives. In doing this, my students will take much more away from the lesson and gain a deeper understanding of the overall concept I am trying to teach.