Week 2

    Over that past few days in the classroom, my co-teaching partner and I taught a few lessons. Today specifically, we did a science experiment with the students. Before the experiment, I was wondering how lack of some content knowledge was going to effect my experiment? The experiment was to help the students understand what sunlight can do and why the sun is important to us on Earth. The day before this experiment the teacher taught the students about some of the things the sun can do. To start off our lesson, we asked questions to tap into their prior knowledge. For example, we asked "What are some things the sun does?" The students were quick to respond with answers relating to, "the sun heats the air, water, and land" or "the sun makes things grow." These answers were all on track. Once we finished with questioning, we explained that we are going to observe two water cups. One water cup will be placed in the sun and other will be placed in the shade. Both cups had equal amounts of water and started at the same temperature. Before the lesson started, we placed these cups in the associated locations outside. To allow for time to pass while the cups went through the experiment phase, our mentor teacher and the class was lead to where the solar panels were on the schools campus. The teacher questioned and then explained that these solar panels collect sunlight which turns into energy that creates some of the electricity the school uses. We talked about how they can be on top on houses or buildings because they are closer to the sun and can attract the most heat. 

   Eventually, we made our way back to the class, where Colleen and I split the class into two groups and took them outside. According to the Fisher and Frey, "a significant body of research indicates that the use of visual and graphic displays facilitates understanding." By allowing the students to visually observe the thermometers, they were able to explain to their other groups of classmates the temperature of the water.  Overall, I felt a bit weak in preparation for this lesson. Going into the lesson, I thought I was prepared to teach the experiment and go over it with the class and co-teacher. However, I think the lack of seeing the introduction of the lesson hindered my teaching. I wasn't exactly sure of what to ask. I now wonder if this is something that would affect any subject I teach or just when doing a science experiment?