Amazing Facts About Pigs Center

Lesson topic/subject: Amazing Facts About Pigs Center
Grade level: 1/2
Teacher of the lesson: Kelly Pelak

Objectives:

1. Students will discover the rapid growth rate of pigs.
2. Students will be able to arrange the stages of growth for a pig in chronological order and match the description of those stages with the appropriate pictures.
3. Students will become familiar with one or more interesting and unique facts about pigs.
4. Students will demonstrate their understanding of one or more pig fact by creating their own illustration of that fact.

Materials:

• 25 handouts entitled "Watch How Fast a Pig Grows"
• 25 large pieces of white construction paper
• scissors and glue for each child
• 25 pieces of white bond paper
• strips of paper with one pig fact written on each
• Pig, by Mary Ling
• teacher model of a completed growth chart
• teacher model of a pig fact illustration

Procedures:

1. Prepare for this center by designing a simplified lesson plan for the adult facilitator. This will help the parent volunteer or teacher understand the goals and instructions for this center.
2. Have the center set up before the children come into the classroom. Make sure that all of the materials are ready to go and neatly stacked on the table.
3. After the whole class instruction and brief explanation of the various centers, divide the class into three groups. One group of approximately 6-8 students should be assigned to each center. This center will explore the growth rate of pigs and other interesting facts about pigs.
4. Once the children find a seat at the designated table for this center, read Pigs aloud to the small group. In order to make sure that students pay attention to the book, you may want to remove additional supplies from the table until after the book has been read. The book is written in very simple text, but it provides a nice illustration of the stages of a pigÕs life.
5. When the story is over, briefly reflect on the growth rate of pigs. Ask students questions such as, "Do pigs grow faster or slower than humans?" "What changes occurred over time?" Then hand out the sheets labeled, "Watch How Fast a Pig Grows!" as well as one long sheet of white construction paper for each child. Have the children cut out the rectangles (both the pictures and the words). Fold the long sheet of construction paper in half.
   On the top half, glue the pictures in order from birth to adulthood. Children should be able to do this visually but in case they need additional help, have them refer to the teacher model.
6. Once the pictures are in place, have the students match the words to the corresponding picture, and glue the words below the picture. For example,
7. Once students have finished their growth charts (make sure that their names are on the large piece of paper), children can choose a pig fact (strip of paper) to illustrate on a white piece of paper. Make sure that the children glue the pig fact onto their illustration. Encourage children to be creative. Give them some ideas and show them the teacher model. Explain that their work will be displayed in a class book entitled, "Amazing Facts About Pigs."
8. If children finish and time allows, encourage them to illustrate an additional pig fact.

Evaluation:

1. Were students able to reflect or discuss the rapid growth rate of a pig? Were they able to relate it to their own growth rate?
2. Were the pictures and descriptions in the correct chronological order? Did the descriptions match the pictures?
3. Were students able to reflect on a pig fact that they learned at this center? Were they interested or amazed by these facts? Did they share them with the large group after centers were over?
4. Did their illustrations demonstrate an understanding of the pig fact they chose?

Reflection:

Were students able to get their work done at this center? Were students able to understand the directions? Was the parent/teacher able to understand the lesson plan? Did the students enjoy this center? Did I design a lesson that was appropriate for their skill level?