Lesson One Reflection

Assessing Prior Knowledge and Planning Instruction

1. What do the students need to know prior to the lesson?

Prior to the lesson, students need to have a basic understanding of the timeline of the Civil War. This lesson would be good to use near the end of a unit.

2. How will prior knowledge and experience be assessed?

Prior knowledge and experience will be assessed throughout the simulation as it asks questions that relate to significant events during the Civil War. Students' answers reflect their overall simulation score.

3. How will you use this information in the planning process?

I will use this information in the planning process by making sure that students have a basic understanding of significant events before beginning this lesson.

4. Why should the content of this lesson be taught at this grade level?

The content of this lesson should be taught at this grade level because the Civil War is an Arizona social studies standard in 5th grade.

5. How do the objectives that you have for the lesson align with the standards?

The objectives that I have for the lesson directly align to the standards because they include an understanding of significant events of the Civil War.

6. When will the lesson be taught in the course of the school year? Why?

The lesson will be taught in the middle of the school year because 5th grade social studies needs to cover the events leading up to the Civil War before introducing the actual war. 

Designing Instruction

1. Why are you using the instructional methods you have described?

I am using an online interactive simulation because it provides the opportunity for students to be independent and to learn how to work on assignments by themselves.

2. How do the instructional methods align with what you know about best practices (think about your methods classes)?

Since the age group is 5th grade, independent work allows them to practice higher order thinking skills and prepare them for junior high and high school work.

3. How are you engaging students in creative and higher order thinking?

I am engaging students in creative and higher order thinking by involving them in an interactive simulation that assess their knowledge of the Civil War.

Planning Assessment

1. How does the assessment align with the standards and objectives of this lesson?

The assessment aligns with the standards because it directly addresses them.

2. How does the assessment demonstrate that the students have been successful in learning the content?

The assessment demonstrates that the students have been successful in learning the content because it is a Q&A assessment so if students are able to answer the questions correctly, I will know they have learned the content.

3. How does the assessment demonstrate student engagement in higher order thinking?

The assessment demonstrates student engagement in higher order thinking because it requires them to to search for their answers throughout the simulation.

4. How does the assessment demonstrate that individual student needs were met?

The assessment demonstrates that individual student needs were met because students of different learning levels answer a certain amount of questions. For example, students with cognitive delays only need to answer every other question.

How does your lesson meet each of the ISTE NETs Standards?

1. How does your lesson meet Standard 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity?

My lesson meets this standard because the teacher models collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students in a virtual environment.

2. How does your lesson meet Standard 2: Provide Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments?

My lesson meets this standard because the teacher customizes the activity to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities.

3. How does your lesson meet Standard 3: Model Digital-Age Work & Learning?

My lesson meets this standard because the teacher demonstrates fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies.

4. How does your lesson Meet all four elements of Standard 4: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility by:

• advocating, modeling, and teaching safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.
• addressing the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources.
• promoting and modeling digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.
• developing and modeling cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital-age communication and collaboration tools.

My lesson meets the first element because the worksheet used provides the source of where it's from. My lesson meets the second element because the teacher addresses the needs of diverse learners by changing the amount of questions students needs to answer.
My lesson meets the third element because the teacher models digital etiquette and use of the simulation by going over the first two questions with students.
My lesson meets the fourth element because the simulation provides examples of events during the Civil War that include cultural understanding and awareness.

American Civil War Worksheet Exit Tickets: