Sample Direct Instruction Lesson Plan

OVERVIEW
Subject
Grade Level
Topic
Brief Overview
and Explanation
PLANNING
Objectives
Assessment
Pre / Diagnostic
Formative
(informal and/or formal)
Summative / Post

Curriculum
Standards

Earth and Space Science

Second Grade
WeatherReading a Fahrenheit thermometer
Students in the second grade need to be able to read a Fahrenheit
thermometer in order to accurately report the weather.
Students will correctly read a Fahrenheit thermometer.
Students will record the correct temperature on five thermometers as
evidenced by scoring at least 30 points on the grading rubric.
(this is a formal formative assignment formally documented assignment that is practice
(formative not summative))

STANDARD 4: EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE

EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE The student will observe closely
the objects and materials in their environment.
BENCHMARK 3: The student will describe changes in weather.
Indicators:
1) Student observes changes in the weather from day to day.
2) Student records weather changes daily

Teacher
Materials
Student
Materials
Teacher
Technology
Student
Technology
Differentiated
Instruction
Culturally
Responsive
Adaptations
Integration
(across and/or within)

Fahrenheit Thermometer to show class.

Markers for board
Elmo for projecting the worksheet.
(All materials are in the room.)
Pencil and worksheet.
Elmo located in the room.
None needed.
Extension activities will be provided for those that grasp the concept
early, leaving the teacher available to assist those students who need it.
Extension Activityread and record the temperature of the indoor
thermometer as well as the outdoor thermometer at the window in our
room.
Students will learn to read a Fahrenheit thermometer first, then a Celsius
thermometer in a subsequent lesson. We will discuss that different
countries use different thermometers and types of measurement.
Math is integrated via counting by 10s and later in the unit, counting by
2s and graphing.

Reading and/or
Vocabulary
Strategies:
Writing
Strategies:
Difficulties
In Content
Difficulties in
Management
INSTRUCTION
Model of
Instruction
Outline
Establish Set
(engage the students
and connect to prior
knowledge)

Clarify Aims

Vocabulary words: thermometer, Fahrenheit

No writing is necessary for this lesson.

Those students who still struggle with counting by 10s may be slower in
determining the accurate temp. A number line is available on their desks,
as well as a 100s chart to help with this.
Students who are already accomplished with this concept may become
distracted. Using them to assist their neighbors and then encouraging
them to utilize the extension activity will help alleviate this issue.
Direct Instruction

3 minutes
Intro.
How cold or warm is it outside today? How do you know? How could
we find out?
After class gives answers to the above questions, show them the
Fahrenheit thermometer. Ask them what it is.
Confirm that it is a thermometer and that it can be used to tell the
temperature outside.
CA
Today we are going to learn how to read a thermometer so we can record
the outside temperature each day.
20 Minutes
Place on the board six drawings of a Fahrenheit thermometer
using the first 6 samples on the worksheet attached. Use markers
or the Elmo. Hand out worksheets to the class.

Teacher
Demonstration

Guided Practice
(including checking
for understanding
guidelines)

Demonstration
Demonstrate how to read the first 2 samples. (Do not ask for
student input at this point.) Be sure to place the correct #, plus
degree sign and F.

Have the class count by 10s from 0 to 100 to help them

remember how to do that.

On the third thermometer instruct the class to:

Guided Practice

Firstlocate the top end of the red line by placing their index
finger there.

Check for
Understanding

Secondask what number it is beside. (Guideline 7)

Thirdhave students say and write that number down on their

paper underneath the corresponding thermometer as you put it on
the board. Circulate around the class checking for correct
responses and offering assist as needed. (Guideline 1,2)

Fourth(Explain that temperatures are written in degrees. A

degree symbol is a little circle written to the upper right of the
number. Review the first two examples on the board having
students verbalize the numeric answer plus the word degrees.)
Have students place a small degree sign to the right of their
number on their worksheet. (Guideline 3,6) (Guideline 5)for a
student that writes a 0 beside the # instead of a degree sign which
is smaller and up a little-respond with an assist/hint-Youre
right, the degree sign is a lot like a 0, but remember its smaller,
round not oval, and up off the line. Circulate around the class
checking for correct responses and offering assist as needed.
(Guideline 1,2)

Fifth(Explain that these thermometers are read in Fahrenheit.

Therefore, a capital F is also needed. Review the first two
examples on the board having students verbalize the numeric
answer plus the word degrees plus the word Fahrenheit.) Have
students place an F next to their degree sign to the right of their
number. (Guideline 3,6) (Guideline 5for a student that uses a
lower case f instead of upper case F, respond with, Youre right,
it does need an f there for Fahrenheit, but lets use a capital F,
because its the name of type of thermometer and names always
start with a capital letter.) Circulate around the class checking for
correct responses and offering assist as needed. (Guideline 1,2)

Check for Understanding

Independent
Practice

Work through the next three samples. Ask class what the
temperature is for each of the next three examples on the board.
After each response, ask for thumbs up or down to signal they
agree or disagree with the response. Be sure the words degrees
Fahrenheit are in the answers. Have students put the correct
answers on their sheet as you put them on the board. (Guideline
1,2,3) Circulate around the class checking for correct responses
and offering assist as needed. (Guideline 1,2) (Guideline 5 as
described above.)

Extended Practice
10 minutes- Direct students to their worksheets.

Have students list the temperatures for each of the next 5

thermometers.

Closure
Assignment

Now we know how to read a thermometer to find out exactly what the
temperature is outside! Will our weather reporter please tell us what the
temperature outside is right now?
See above in the lesson.

Supporting Documents:
STANDARD 4: EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE

Grades K-2
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE The student will observe closely the objects and
materials in their environment.
Benchmark 3: The student will describe changes in weather.
Grades K-2 Indicators
The student

Instructional Examples
The student

1. observes changes in the weather from

day to day.

1. draws pictures or uses symbols to

record weather
observations.

2. records weather changes daily.

3. discusses weather safety procedures.

2. uses weather charts, calendars, and

logs to record
daily weather.
3. practices tornado drill procedures;
talks about the
dangers of lightning and flooding.

Teacher Notes:
Weather includes snow, rain, sleet, wind, and violent storms.

Grading Rubric for Reading Thermometers

Correct numerical
temperature
Used the degree
sign
Used the F sign

0 Points
Not even close to
the correct number
Did not use the
degree sign
Did not use the F
sign

1 Point
Is within 2 degrees
Used the degree
sign, but not in the
correct place
Used the F sign, but
no in the correct
place

2 Points
Has the correct
number
Used the degree
sign correctly
Used the F sign
correctly