Lesson Plan Reflection
The first grade sound lesson was taught to three first grade classes in one hour blocks on November 14th, 2019. Overall, the lesson was a positive experience for both the students and myself. According to my sources of data, the students did show an increase in understanding in the topic of sound relating to the Colorado Academic Standard in physical science SC.1.1.1. stating that “Sound can make matter vibrate and vibrating matter can make sound” (Science Standards Review and Revision Committee, 2018). My three sources for this assumption are my pre and post assessment data, first grade teacher survey, and my personal experience of the lesson.
When compared to pre-assessment data, the post assessment showed improvement in completing tasks on the rubric. In pre-assessment data, the majority of students or 80.33% received a “1” in the area of sound on the rubric. Followed by 19.67% at a “2” and 0% at a “3.” Conversely, in post assessment data (See Post Assessment Page), 66.66% received a “3,” 33.33% received a “2,” and 0% a “1.” Also, on the rubric section on the definition of vibration, student scores of “3” jumped from 73.77% to 100%.
A third data point was added to the post assessment. This was the design and creation of the sound making invention. Students created the objects and tested them using a decibel meter and stopwatch. According to those results (See Post Assessment Page), each of the 59 students who participated were assigned a grade from the rubric. The overwhelming majority, 96.61% earned a “3.”
I was also privileged to have each of the first grade teachers present during the lesson. After the lesson, in addition to getting verbal feedback from those teachers, they generously filled out a survey of my performance during the lesson (See Below). Generally, the feedback for the teachers was positive. I was given good scores in all areas, including clarity, age appropriateness, engagement and classroom management. I was also able to glean some great feedback on areas to improve.
Finally, I have my personal experience of the lesson. Overall, I believe that the lesson was a success. I was able to stay on the timeline that I had created while still working from “bell-to-bell” (Goodwin & Hubbell, 2013, p. 133). I also felt as though the students were engaged throughout the class and there were no real behavioral issues. Students have also shown knowledge in informal conversations since the lesson.
There are a few things I will do differently next time. As the teachers said, I think that for one lesson, having two testing methods was too much. Next time I will focus on just using decibels if the time is the same. I also changed the method of giving the post assessment from the feedback that the writing was a challenge for some of the first graders. I am excited to use this lesson in the future with some tweeks and feel good about the overall results.
References
Goodwin, B., & Hubble, E. R. (2013). The 12 touchstones of good teaching: a checklist for staying focused every day. ASCD, McREL International.
Science Standards Review and Revision Committee. (2018) Science: First Grade, Standard 1. Physical Science. Retrieved from https://www.cde.state.co.us/coscience/2020cas-sc-p12
