Specific Entry Competencies
In order for my target learners to fully benefit from the upcoming lesson on wetlands, they need to have some prior knowledge, abilities, and skills. During first, second, and beginning of third grade, students should have practiced and learned how to make observations using their senses, come up with questions based on what they have observed, conduct investigations, and use simple tools (pencils, rulers, hand lens, etc.) to help them collect and record their data. They should be familiar with sharing ideas about science and communicating and presenting their findings. So far in third grade, we have done a lot of group work so students can collaborate and extend their ideas. We have talked about and practiced strategies for ways to gather information (ask an expert, use a book, make observations, do investigations, and watch a video). We have practiced demonstrating scientific concepts through illustrations, performances, models, and activities (which should also have been done in first and second grade). They should also have learned how to identify technology used in everyday lives while they were in second and beginning of third grade. Some students have had a lot of practice on a computer at home, while others have had very little or none. We have done some work so far in third grade with navigating the school website to find and play the games that further their learning on certain science topics. I do expect that my students will still need some guidance to navigate the internet and practice to become more familiar with the keyboard to be able to type fluently.