2014 SOE Lesson Plan Template

University of Arkansas Fort Smith

School of Education
Lesson Plan Format

Unit Title: Survival: Life of Pi

Lesson Title: Survival At Sea: Biology

Subject Area: Science

Grade Level: 7

Duration of Lesson: 1, 20 minute

Date(s) 5/5/15

Name: James Hobbs-Taber

SOE Course:

I. Standard(s) and Objective(s)

Standard(s)
CCSS ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.8
Distinguish among facts, reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation
in a text.
Objective(s)
By the end of this lesson, I want my student to understand what it takes to survive out at
sea with the aid of specific documentation and works for demonstration.
II. Assessment
Pre-assessment (before planning lesson)
I will first go over my students' understanding of human biology by reviewing basic
needs for human survival (food, water, shelter) and test their general knowledge of the items
we'll review (survival without food, without water, what de-habilitating effects certain
conditions may have). This will tie back to a previous lesson where we talked about various
other damages and issues that could effect the human body (burns, virus, disease, etc.).
Post-assessment
Survival Essay/Project Taking from example from the news article that will aid in my
example, I will have my students submit a one page review on a case where a person or
group of people survived a severe circumstance. Students will note how long the issue lasted,
what sort of issues that were to have occurred (sunstroke, dehydration, frostbite, etc.), and
what method the survivor(s) used to survive.
III. Planning
This project will come from a group effort in review the work Life of Pi. A major theme in
the story is survival. The young boy survives a harrowing circumstance that, seriously
enough, could happen to anyone at any time but with different variables. This lesson will be
done in a safe manner with an activity aimed at confirming the survival skills of the students
while helping to understand the biology involved in what is going on.

IV. Engaging the Learner

As part of the lesson, references and notes from Life of Pi will be included to show what
effects certain issues may have, such as the delirium he suffers being from a combination of
sunstroke and thirst. Youtube videos that can be done to show some of these issues in a
tasteful manner. We'll also go over a story that is similar to Pi's in a time line context as our
main character's long voyage.
V. Methods, Activities and Resources
Methods
The method that I will be using to teach this lesson I'm aiming to combine visual learners,
heard learners, and physical learners. Much of the spoken lecture would be a visual medium
with note taking but I would be expanding on the notes will verbal explanations that the visual
notes may not include. With the activity, I will be aiding the physical learners but giving them a
chance to be hands on project to work with their fellow classmates in order to understand the
lesson that was taught.
Activities
During the class, I will present a scenario to the class with an example circumstance to the
students. The students will be grouped together in groups of four if they aren't already set up in
such a design. By drawing lots with a list of issues and available equipment (Out at sea with a
lifeboat, some medical supplies, food, etc.), they will tasked with coming with ways to survive
and protect themselves from whatever issue is occurring for a predetermined amount of days
per the scenario they draw (Avalanche for two weeks, Out at sea for three months, etc.). We'll
draw this back to Life of Pi when we get to the discussion following the activity.
Resources
NBC News Article Fishermen: We never gave up hope to be saved
Youtube Examples of injury and other biological issues
Scenes from Life of Pi
VI. Potential Adaptations to the Lesson {PAL}
Thanks to the aid of the group with a vocabulary lesson from another teacher aiding in the
Life of Pi unit, I'll have assistance with any ELL students when it comes to understanding
survival terminology. If there is further issue, when we get to the larger group activity I will
have those of greater difficulty with English grouped with another ELL student that is
further advanced and one of the EL students in order to make a more cohesive group. In the
case of a potential event at the school at the time of presentation, the lesson will be given
with the activity acting as bell ringer for the next day of class.
VII. Collaboration
This is part of a unit looking at survival in conjunction o the novel Life of Pi being read at
the same time in another class. This unit will also be looking at other elements related to the
story to show its background
VIII.

Reflection and efficacy (to be completed after teaching this lesson)

N/A
Adopted Spring 2014

Attachments