Earth Science

Lesson Plan For 1^st Grade

  By Jennifer Castro

            The main object of developing this web page for 1^st grade teacher is to provide them with a lesson plan for Weather. Following the California Sate Board Education K-12, under earth science, first graders are required to observe, measure and describe concepts relating to weather.

            The basic scientific concept for young children is classified into two categories:

 Biological Science

This relates to living things: people, plants, and animals

These includes: Physiology, the function of living organisms and their part [ the children's body, is an example]. Ecology, the relationship between living and their environments.

Physical Science

This relates to nonliving materials.

This includes: Physics, the exploration of the nature of matter and energy, and their laws. Chemistry, science dealing with composition and transformation of substances. Geology the study of the earth, such as rocks and shells. Meteorology, weather and atmosphere.

 Astronomy, study of the universe and beyond the earth’s atmosphere, such as the sun, moon, planets and stars. 

For a teacher to be able to begin or create a lesson plan, not only for science but for other subjects as well, one has to understand how important the years of birth to eight are.  Children’s physical, intellectual, emotional and social growth should be supported entirely. All that we teach should be developmentally appropriate. The National Association for the Education of young Children (NAEYC) promotes and identified such philosophy; there are two dimensions that fall under this category:

            1) Age appropriateness-

            First graders are able to think and learn in more complicated ways, they are more independent and extremely curious. They are actively looking for new things to do, see and explore.

            Seefeldt and Barbour (1994) tell us, “ They’re developing the ability to see things from another perspective and are able to be more emphatic.”

            2) Individual appropriateness-

            It is also important to incorporate play into your lesson plan. Play is a natural activity for children. It will allow them to create, invent, discover, and learn. It will provide children  with joy and understanding of themselves and others.

The Process of Planning

1. Set up goals and objectives.  

·        Goals will help describe the general point of the subject.

 ·       Objectives are specific and will help you relate to the lesson planning, schedule and routine.

2. Goals and objectives should include:

·        Developmental, individual, cultural and creative appropriate practices.

·        Consider physical, intellectual, social and emotional development of the children.

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