Today we conducted our inquiry lesson. To begin our lesson we activated students prior knowledge on all of the information we taught them in the previous lesson. After we received a great amount of feed back from our students and realized they remembered previously learned material we moved right into our activity for todays lesson. Today's students became "explorers" and went on a treasure hunt. Using an app on our Iphones called i-nigma we created questions. These questions could only be revealed when students used the Iphones to scan a barcode. The second graders LOVED THIS! I was amazing how engaged and interested they all became. Using technology within the classroom truly does inspire students. It was amazing to see how all of them were interacting and working together to solve the hidden questions.
Every station was provided with material such as a folder with a passage in it, artifacts, and a worksheet. Each group went to each station in order to find the hidden question and answer it. The students are to use the artifacts on the table to help them find the correct answer to the question. After analyzing the artifacts students were to write a hypothesis. Prior to telling students they had to write a hypothesis we simply explained what a hypothesis is and how to write one.
We then explained the importance of reading the passage within the folders to help them find the answer to the question as well. Our hidden questions were:
1. What was the first founded colony of the United States?
2. Which group of people came to America for religious freedom?
3. What was the name of the explorer who discovered America?
4.What was the name of the colony that the pilgrims founded?
5.What group of people helped the pilgrims farm their new land?
This was a great learning opportunity for the students as well as myself. I never realized how much fun a lesson could be, especially using all sorts of technology!!! Creating a Prezi and using it as a powerpoint in the classroom helped capture the students attention. Using iphones within the lesson truly grabbed their attention. The students were all excited and ready to learn!! :)
I feel as though this lesson went well. I had a great time planning the lesson and putting the material together with my group members Miss Kristen and Miss Susan. After our lesson we reflected on all that we have done and what we could have improved on. I personally feel as though I could have guided the students a little more. I could have elaborated on the instructions to help them fully understand WHY they were doing what they were doing. I feel as though I could have worked on transitioning from topic to topic more efficiently. I enjoy hearing my classmates feedback as well as my professor. It helps me build off of my weaknesses and prepare for my following lesson.
Here is my Prezi Powerpoint for this lesson! :) Treasure Hunt
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