VIU simplified lesson plan template – use in conjunction with a unit plan.

School Yard Safari

Name: Kenzie McDonald

Gr. 3/4 Topic Ecosystems

Date April Allotted 45 mins
Time

Rationale:
The students have had a few lessons on an introduction of ecosystems and biomes. We will be going outside
to observe our school yard to deepen the understanding of an ecosystem. The students will be detectives
outdoors in recording their findings.

Learning Intention: I can be a detective in finding animal life outside

I can be responsible for myself outside in my exploration of our school yard
Evidence of Learning: Observation and recording of their findings
products
Student evidence worksheet
Class conversations
observations conversations
Group conversations
Criteria: Fill out the details on their worksheet when they are observing.
Participation in group and class conversations
Planning for diversity

The students will be able to express their learning through drawing and writing. Group conversations,
and class conversations to deepen the students learning.
Resources, Material and Preparation:
Clip boards, students activity sheet

Organizational/Management Strategies:

When the students are outside, I will have to state the boundaries and limitations when we are outside,
giving the students rich places to observe. I will be using a whistle outside, if they hear the whistle they
are to come and meet at our line up spot

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VIU simplified lesson plan template – use in conjunction with a unit plan.
Pacing Teacher will Students will
Connect:
Share Learning
- I can be a detective in finding
intention! animal life outside
- I can be responsible for myself
outside in my exploration of our
school yard
Ask the students if they have ever heard Class discussion
of a safari.

Process: Talk about what they may see when we

go outside. Tell the students that just Group discussion.
because we can’t see the animals,
doesn’t mean that they are not there.
Give the students an idea of what they
can look for outside. We can look for
animals out there, we can look, hear and
sometimes smell if animals are around.

Give the students the page, where they

Transform: can fill out their observations.
After the students fill out in detail from
their observations, they will get into
groups to share what they learned.
We will then do a class share out.
Share learning intention again. Next class
Closure: we will be starting an inquiry project on
owls.
The students will be observing what they see
outside and recording in detail.
The students will get into groups to discuss what
they observed.
They will share out at the end as a class
discussion

Reflection What was successful in this lesson? If taught again, what would you change to make this lesson
even more successful and inclusive for diverse and exceptional students?

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VIU simplified lesson plan template – use in conjunction with a unit plan.