erinhurley - Unit of Instruction

Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten. -G.K. Chesterton

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Life As We Know It

Ms. Erin Hurley

Unit Overview

Overview
In this unit we will be discussing life. We will discuss what qualifies as a living thing, the differences between mammals and reptiles, and also why plants are living things. Also, we will be discussing how all living things work together for survival.

Student Audience
This unit is designed to cover material for ages 5 to 6 years at a Kindergarten grade level.

Timeframe
This unit will be taught in 3 weeks and we will work on this unit for roughly 30-60 minutes a day, depending on the activity for that day.

Rationale
I am teaching this unit because it is a necessity that children learn about life, it helps explain their existence, which can teach them self awareness and the awareness of others. It’s important for people to understand how valuable life is, especially children. It’s important that they learn that loss brings joy to life. It can also give explanation about siblings or pets or anything else that people live with.

Unit Objectives
Students will be able to identify the differences between mammals and reptiles, why plants are living, what constitutes something as living, and how all living things work together for survival. Students will also be able to use this knowledge for understanding situations in their own lives and for understanding their classmates’ families and lives.

Unit Standards
State standards say that student should be able to tell the differences and similarities between plants and animals behavior and appearances. They understand that stories give plants and animals traits they don’t really have, and they can explain the basic structure of plants and animals.

Variations or Adaptions
For SPED (special education) students there will be a great deal of hands on activities so that they can participate and learn in their own time and way. I really encourage that all the students work together and that they all come to a common understanding of the concepts that are being learned during the unit. SPED kids will be given the same opportunities to excel in my class. If necessary I can make a more accommodating lesson plan for the kids that need it so that they aren’t left behind because they don’t understand as quickly as some of the other children.

I also plan to integrate the use of technology to make it easier for SPED kids to contribute to and understand the lesson plans and activities that we will be doing throughout the unit. Technology is a great form of communication for SPED kids that may have communication disabilities. As a teacher, I feel as though ever child should be given the utilities they need to learn what I will be teaching to the class as a whole.

Life As We Know It

*This podcast was created to give an overview of what this unit is going to be about.

*This video shows pictures and examples of the living things we will be discussing in this unit.

1. Is a video that goes over the most commonly found water animals. (This will teach the children about commonly found water living animals).
2. Is a video that discusses what mammals are and many different types of animals. (This will teach the children about what is defined as a mammal).
3. Is a video about plant pollination and how insects help with the pollination and spread of plants. (Teaches about the importance of pollination and what it is).
4. Is a video about penguins unlike any other in the world. They can fly! (Discusses about birds that can't fly and the rare exception to the penguin rule).
5. Is a video about the life and lifestyle of the horned owl. (Discusses the life of a bird of flight).