Author - Melissa Brown
Category - Lesson Plans, Science, Biology
Lesson Plan Duration - 25 minute(s)
Grade Level - K-2,3-5,6-8,9-12

Lesson Plan Description

This is a great exercise for the first day of school. Practical for any subject that uses alot of symbols and pictures (especially the sciences). Allows students to become familiar with eachother, and for the teacher to put a name (and fact!) with a face.

Primary Learning Objective(s):

This exercise allows students to feel comfortable on the first day of class, allows the teacher to get to know the student and starts the year off on an upbeat level.

Additional Learning Objective(s):

There are no additional learning objectives for this lesson, as it is an introductory 'getting to know you' exercise.

Procedures/Activities:

Have students walk in on the first day of school and allow them to sit anywhere (great if class has lab benches in the back of the class). Give them a piece of paper and colored pencils/markers and tell them to draw a picture or symbol that is represtative of themselves. Allow them about 5-10 minutes to complete, and make sure you do one as well. Introduce yourself to the class and explain your drawing to them, then go around and allow all of the students to introduce themselves and explain their drawing. Teachers will be able to put a name to a face and students will get to know their classmates. A short (10-15 slide) Powerpoint presentation should be shown that provides examples (some known and some unknown) of the subject matter for your subject. In the case of biology - pictures of DNA, plant and animal cells, phylogenetic trees, Punnett squares, microscopes, etc. and allow students to call out if they know what the picture/symbol represents. Explain to them that just like their own drawing, a simple picture or symbol can have more in-depth meanings and these are just some of the things we will explore throughout the year in this class.
Then put the students in their assigned seats (if you have them) and get down to opening day business.

Materials/Equipment:

Paper, colored pencils or markers and a powerpoint presentation with pictures of symbols/pictures pertinent to your subject.

Assessment Guidelines:

There are no assessment guidelines for this lesson, as it is an introductory 'getting to know you' exercise. Remind students to be respectful and quiet while another student is presenting.