Lesson 1: The Apple’s Sharing Circle

Lesson 1
Purpose
Learning Outcomes
Procedure

Time: 30 minutes

Material: apple

Space: classroom

Focus: debrief students’ previous knowledge, and reflect on teachers’ postural habits

Theme: gravity

This activity will demonstrate that every student in the class is connected and that everyone in the circle has an equal voice. This activity is conducted at the beginning of the program in order to debrief in relation to the students’ previous knowledge on the subject, gravity.

The teacher can identify any misconceptions regarding the subject matter. This circle gives insight to the teacher of the learner’s variability/diversity in background knowledge levels in the classroom. It also helps the instructor to establish the foundation of the structured teaching program, provided later in this classroom.

Moreover, the teacher scaffolds their teaching content and discourse so as to reach as many students as possible, following Universal Design Learning principle (UDL). This activity supports learning from each other among students, by brainstorming ideas and offering an opportunity for each student to participate and express themselves (Indigenous Ways of Learning).

Last, the Entrance and Exit ticket in the Postural booklet are short prompts that can provide instructors with a quick student diagnosis. it is a simple way to recall background knowledge relevant to the day’s lesson. This opportunity to offer feedback allow the students to share their feelings. Consequently, the teachers can determined directions which part of the program would benefit from additional materials, practice and\or reteaching.

References

To listen to each other.

To express themselves.

To learn collaboratively.

To demonstrate a sustained intellectual curiosity about a scientific topic.

Step 1

Presentation of the Unit and the Postural Booklet

Present this unit, learning about gravity, the human body and posture.

Hand out the Postural Booklet to your students, on paper or on their Chrome. Have them print their name on it.

Give them 2 minutes to answer the first few question:

Question ideas for your class discussion

What is gravity?

Step 2

The Apple Sharing Circle Rules

Have the students move the chairs and tables in the classroom to clear space to form a circle.

Recall the use of the apple as a little window into Newton’s story.

An apple will be passed from one student to another. Only the person holding the apple will talk and everyone else will listen carefully. Every student gives the student speaking their full attention. Everyone is given a chance to speak, but someone may pass the apple without speaking if they wish.

Make sure every student has understood the rules.

Pose this question:

In a few words, can you tell me what is gravity for you?

Give the apple to one student whose starting the sharing circle. The teacher will be the last one talking in the sharing circle.

Step 3

The Teacher’s Narrative

Share your own idea about gravity through a story describing gravity in your eyes, not with a technical or academic definition of gravity. This narrative relates to the need to avoid of abstraction when presenting physics concepts to the students.

Through a simple observation, connect the concept of gravity with daily life activities. This observation is also aimed at identifying your own questions about the natural world.

Clearly demonstrate a sustained curiosity about this topic, by discussing gravity through your narrative approach.