Science Lesson Planning

This week, I will go over two questions regarding the issue of lesson planning for a science lesson. 
1. Why is lesson planning in science important?
-I think that lesson planning in any subject is important, however, it can be a safety concern in the subject of science. If a teacher presents an experiment to their students without being prepared, a student could easily touch things they shouldn't, mix items that shouldn't be mixed, consume things that shouldn't be consumed or worse. When a teacher has thought out the lesson, they will be able to introduce it, including reminders of any necessary safety precautions the children should keep in mind.

Aside from the issue of safety, it is important to plan lessons in science so that the students get more out of them. When we watched Sarah's case in class the other day, it was clear that the students were rapidly losing interest in the lesson. If Sarah had been more prepared, or perhaps conducted the experiment herself firsthand, she could have addressed the issues in a more positive way. Being prepared is extremely important when carrying out an in-class experiment so as to avoid situations like those that Sarah faced. 

2. What things are important to consider in planning elementary science lessons?
-The first and foremost issue that should be considered when planning a science lesson is that of safety. For example, does the lesson contain toxins? Should the students wear goggles? Should the children have their arms covered in case of splatters? Any number of safety concerns can be faced in a classroom and therefore should be considered when a teacher is writing out a science lesson plan. 

Also, it is important to consider the children's skill or academic levels. If a teacher presents a great lesson on a topic that is too difficult for the children to successfully complete, they will become discouraged. Teachers should consult the frameworks in order to get a rough idea of what the children should be able to do at that grade/point in the school year. 
Furthermore, minor classroom issues should be considered as well. For example, if the lesson requires group work, the teacher needs to consider how they will separate the students. Will they be grouped based on skill level, on behavior, or randomly (which can have its consequences)? Another classroom issue to consider is the matter of time. How much time will be given for the brainstorming portion of the experiment? What about to conduct the actual experiment?

Lesson planning is essential in every elementary science class. Teachers should try to avoid disaster lessons as much as they can. The best way to do this is to properly plan a lesson before it is presented to a class.