Lesson Plan
Date: Nov. 19 ‘08
Topic: Sorting/Classifying
Data Management
Eco-awareness
Grade Level: 3
Classroom Teacher/School: Ms. Amrit Mudhar, Oakridge Jr. PS
Time: 12:30 1:20
Curriculum Expectations:
Collection and Organization of Data
- demonstrate and ability to organize objects into categories, by sorting and
classifying objects using 2 or more attributes simultaneously
Secondary Objective
- interpret and draw conclusions from data presented in charts, tables, and graphs
Assessment Strategies:
We will circulate the room while students are sorting their “garbage” to assess their
level of understanding and to provide assistance and guidance where necessary.
We will check each group’s chart paper to ensure they are classifying their “garbage”
in the correct category.
We have created a bar graph template which students can fill in according to their tally
chart information. We will give this project to students who complete their tally chart
early.
Accommodations and Modifications:
This is a group activity which will allow group member’s to fulfill a role that suits their
strengths. Each group will have 4 roles: Recorder, Supplies Manager, Speaker, and
Timer/Everyone Contributes.
This lesson uses a number of visual aids and manipulatives which will aid most
students, including ESL learners. For example, the “Garbage Suit” fashion show will
provide visual aids to help students identify categories. We have also provided the
“clean” garbage bags for students to use as manipulatives so as to better understand the
various materials we are sorting.
Resources/Materials
Outline
- 5 bags of “clean” garbage
in clear bags
- “Garbage Fashion” Wear
apparel
Introduction: 12:35-12:40
Yalini
Yalini will introduce the activity by acting as an
announcer at a “Fashion Show”. Yalini will introduce
Mr. Goudreau and Mr. Roffey one at a time and
highlight some of the garbage items that are found on
- 5 half sheets of chart
paper
their clothing. Mr. Roffey and Mr. Goudreau will act
like runway models.
- markers
Middle: 12:40 – 12:50
Dan and Yalini
Dan and Yalini will use guiding questions to have
students identify the various materials found on Mr.
Roffey and Mr. Goudreau’s clothing. The categories
are: Glass, Plastic, Paper, Metal, Garbage
After determining the categories, Dan and Yalini will
lead a group sorting activity. We will create a tally chart
to sort all the materials found on the “fashion model’s”
clothing. We will review how tally chart’s are created
and why we group tally marks in group’s of 5.
Ramie
Ramie will then introduce the activity. Each group will
receive 1 bag of “garbage”. The objective is to create a
tally chart using the same categories we have just
outlined to tally and sort the items in each bag.
Ramie will outline the group positions: Recorder,
Supplies Manager, Speaker, and Timer/ Everyone
Contributes.
Group Activity – 12:50 – 1:05
Dan, Ramie, and Yalini will circulate the room to ensure
everyone is on-task and to assess level of understanding.
Group Discussion – 1:05 – 1:15
Ramie, Yalini, and Dan
Ramie and Yalini will call the students to the carpet and
lead a discussion where each “speaker” will tell the class
their findings. Ramie and Yalini will record the classes
findings on 1 big chart paper to create a class total.
Dan will be sorting the garbage to provide a visual
reminder of how much garbage we had vs. recyclable
products.
Conclusion:
Ramie, Dan, & Yalini
After the class total is found, Dan, Yalini, and Ramie
will guide the class in a discussion about the importance
of recycling. We will highlight how many recyclable
items were found in garbage bags. We will demonstrate
how much garbage was saved from going to the landfill
(which creates pollution). Garbage in landfills creates
pollution and we can all do our part to reduce the amount
of recyclables that end up in landfills.
Follow-up:
This lesson would lead into a lesson about creating bar
graphs. We could use the tally charts we have created to
make bar graphs following all the conventions of bar
graphs (ie/ titles, labels, appropriate numbering, etc.)
We could also follow the environmental theme and
conduct a research project with the school’s janitors to
find out how much trash vs. recycling is created schoolwide.