Redesigned Lesson Plan Using 5E
Reflection:
The strengths of the original lesson plan include the use of differentiated instruction, technology integration, collaborative learning, and the activation of prior knowledge. All of which contribute to student engagement, personalized learning experiences, and the development of critical thinking skills.
The original lesson plan incorporates differentiated group work by assigning different tasks to different groups based on their abilities and needs. This allows for personalized instruction and supports individualized learning experiences for students. The original lesson plan also includes opportunities for peer discussions, within small groups and with partners, where students have the chance to articulate their thoughts and exchange ideas. Finally, the original lesson includes a scaffolded do-now activity to activate students’ prior knowledge. This strategy helps students make connections between their existing knowledge and the new concepts being introduced, promoting deeper understanding and engagement with the content.
My original lesson plan did have several weaknesses that I didn’t even consider before. The original lesson lacks a clear progression of learning because it is not based on a clear instructional design model. Although it was originally intended to be day 2 of a three-day lesson series, this lesson works under the assumption that students already have a clear understanding of relevant textual evidence and how to choose the most relevant evidence. Finally, this lesson does not provide clear opportunities for formative assessment and giving students the opportunity to articulate their thinking. That should have been a part of each day in the lesson series, not only at the culmination.
The use of the 5E model in the redesigned lesson plan provides a clear structure for instruction, with a systematic and sequential approach to learning. First, the 5E model promotes active engagement throughout the lesson. By incorporating various activities and group discussions, students are actively involved in exploring and analyzing the text. This increased engagement helps maintain student interest and motivation. Additionally, the 5E model provides a clear learning progression by sequentially moving through each phase. This structure ensures that students build their understanding step by step, allowing for a more comprehensive and cohesive learning experience. Also, the Explore and Elaborate phases of the 5E model encourage students to actively analyze and interpret the text. Through group discussions and collaboration, as well as selecting and defending the strongest piece of evidence to support a claim, practice critical thinking and communication skills. Finally, the Evaluate phase of the 5E model allows for formative assessment of student learning. By presenting their claims and supporting evidence to the class, students demonstrate their understanding and receive feedback from both their peers and the teacher. This feedback informs instructional decisions and supports student growth.
Both the original and redesigned lesson plans incorporate the digital tools Actively Learn and Flipgrid. These tools enhance accessibility, provide interactive features, and offer options for multimodal expression. By integrating technology, students have more opportunities to engage with the text and alternative means of expression.
While the original lesson was good, the redesigned lesson plan using the 5E model is far superior. It provides a clear progression of learning and clear connections between the learning objective and each of the learning activities.
Sources: https://commons.hostos.cuny.edu/edtech/faculty/teaching-with-technology/instructional-design/5e/
