Reflecting on a 5e Science Lesson

    

 Planning a science lesson using the 5e method was a change of pace for me. While my district uses 5e for all subjects, a few of us use the Gradual Release model when lesson planning due to program requirements for the GaTAPP alternative path to the teaching program. This is not to say that I am not familiar with it. As a grade-level chair, I often present examples and review others’ lesson plans. When we went hybrid, our school used a modified 5e lesson plan template for all teachers. The GaTAPP program teaches it during the science classes. With all of that being said, this lesson was different in another way; after going through this class’ resources, I have more of an understanding of each section.     

   If I was using one of the recommended lessons from our mandatory program, STEMScopes, it would be pretty clear how to organize the lessons. The STEMScopes site itself is organized using 5e. However, I came up with the idea of creating and observing a terrarium while brainstorming uses for old pickle jars. Initially, I planned the lesson using Gradual Release to gather my thoughts and for some reason, it was difficult to “cut and paste” it or edit it into the 5e format although all the elements were there. 

    The idea behind the lesson itself, creating a working example of the water cycle using a self-contained terrarium, seems sound. Then observe and record the terrarium over a period of time and share findings with the class. The main issue was materials, everything would be out of my family’s pockets. To cut costs, I planned on using pickle jars we saved since our community does not recycle, I figured I’d have plenty. However, my class size changed greatly, so we had to eat more pickles at home! Logistically, I had to get all of the planting materials and jars to my classroom, then from my classroom to our outside picnic tables for less mess. Science can be messy! Also, now that I think about it, perhaps with this particular class, it would have been more practical if I should have them make one terrarium per group as opposed to one terrarium per student.