You are on page 1of 3

Summary:

During my 2-week clinical experience, I taught a science lesson to a 3rd grade


class. The central focus of my lesson was on the concept of Forces and Motion,
specifically Gravity. The NC Essential Standard that I used was 3.P.1.3 Explain the
effects of Earths gravity on the motion of any object on or near the Earth. The Next
Generation Science Standard that I used was 3-PS2-2 Make observations and-or
measurements of an objects motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used
to predict future motion. The students were already somewhat familiar with the
topic of gravity from past lessons taught on Forces and Motion.
I engaged the students by gathering them on the carpet and facilitating a
class discussion on the topic of gravity. After the students shared their ideas and
knowledge about gravity, I put my definition of gravity on the overhead: Gravity:
The force that causes objects to fall. I read the definition aloud to the class. I
proceeded to demonstrate the effect that gravity has on objects by dropping the pen
I was holding.
After our discussion on the carpet, I split the students into 5 different groups.
I told the students that we would be doing a Dropping Races activity. I explained the
directions on the worksheet, the items they would be dropping, and the different
jobs that each student in the groups would be responsible for. The students went to
their designated sections of the room and began the Dropping Races activity.
Once every group finished the activity, they returned to their seats. We
shared and discussed their results. I explained to the students that gravity affects all

objects equally and that this means that heavier objects fall at the same rate as
lighter objects.
The students completed a Falling Objects Quiz in order to check their
understanding on the topic of gravity. I put the quiz questions on the overhead and
the students wrote their answers down on a scrap sheet of paper.

Reflection:
In this experience, the students were able to discover and build their own
definition of gravity and its affect on a variety of objects. This lesson was a great
way for students to experience gravity through a hands-on activity. The students
really enjoyed the Dropping Races Activity. I was surprised at how well behaved
and on task they were during the activity. I was a little worried about the classroom
management during this lesson since it required the students to break into groups,
but they did really well! I think it helped that I assigned specific jobs to each
student. They took their jobs very seriously and this kept the entire group on task.
I was not sure how I should organize the students into groups. I was aware
that certain students were not permitted to work together due to behavioral issues,
so I asked my co-operating teacher to help me form the groups. We ended up
organizing them into the groups that they are typically in for their math block. For
the most part the groups were very successful. There was one group who had a few
issues agreeing on the results of their Dropping Races, but I helped them to sort it
out by reminding them that only one person in the group should be making that
decision.

I think this specific activity was open-ended enough. While the groups took
part in the same activity, their results varied. This was really great for our postactivity discussion. We were able to talk about why each group received similar or
different results, and eventually came to the conclusion that gravity affects all
objects equally.
During this lesson I feel that I used technology somewhat effectively. I used
the overhead projector throughout my lesson to show the students the definition of
gravity, list the specific jobs they were to be responsible for during the activity, to
review the Dropping Races Activity, and finally to take the Falling Objects Quiz.
While I used technology throughout the lesson, I would have liked to potentially
incorporate more of a variety of technology.
Students will be able to connect this experience to their daily lives. Gravity is
always present on Earth and is always affecting them and objects around them. I
feel confident that the students now have a better understanding of gravity.
I would absolutely do this activity again. I had a great time teaching it. The
class not only loved it, they learned a lot more about gravity from it! If I were to
teach this lesson again, I would definitely expand it over a number of days and
incorporate the other activities that we discussed in ELED 3221 that go along with
the topic. For example, I would add the Roller Coaster Activity to this lesson.
After teaching this lesson, I learned that I really enjoy teaching and learning
about science. I know that I learn much more through hands-on experiences, and I
believe the same goes for young students. In my future classroom, I want to make
teaching science as much as a priority as math or language arts.

You might also like