Extreme Makeover:

LTG Lesson Edition

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Kerry Mecabe / Kristin McCormick

Patchogue-Medford School District

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Celebrating Plant Diversity:

Exploring Cultural Connections to Plant Life Cycles

ELA / Science

3rd Grade

Lesson Plan (PDF)

Recognizing and celebrating cultural diversity enhances students' understanding and appreciation of the world around them. This lesson not only aligns with NGSS standards but also incorporates cultural responsiveness by highlighting the importance of plants in various cultures and communities.

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Kerry Mecabe & Kristin McCormick

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Content Objective: Students will identify and describe the stages in the life cycle of a plant, while recognizing cultural connections to plant diversity. (S) They will explain the importance of each stage in the plant's life cycle from a cultural perspective. (W)

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Language Objective: Students will orally describe the life cycle of a plant using culturally relevant examples and vocabulary. (S) They will write a short paragraph explaining the life cycle of a plant, incorporating cultural connections. (W) They will listen to their peers' descriptions of plant life cycles from various cultural perspectives and provide feedback. (L) They will read a passage about plant life cycles and cultural practices related to plants and answer comprehension questions. (R)

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• This lesson was a basic research project on a plant of the student’s choosing. To incorporate diversity and inclusivity, the lesson was redesigned to include cultural plants and more engaging ways to assess student knowledge, allowing choice and various entry points for learning.�
• After completing a “seed soak” lesson using a lima bean and exposing students to the foundations of a plant life cycle, students will discover plants in their culture. Utilizing NearPod to engage students, teacher will begin the lesson by using technology to explore the cultural connections to plant life cycles.

Kerry Mecabe & Kristin McCormick

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• What my students will learn
• How will the lesson increase engagement and personalization
• What do I hope my students take away from the lesson

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• What my students will learn
• How will the lesson increase engagement and personalization
• What do I hope my students take away from the lesson

Kerry Mecabe & Kristin McCormick

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• On the presentation, teacher will share videos, images, and stories from different cultures around the world, highlighting the significance of plants in various traditions and practices. Then, the teacher will have students turn and talk about their individual cultures and plants that they are familiar with – both in their culture and not in their culture.

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• After a discussion, students will interact with the NearPod collaboration board to present their ideas (this will gauge prior knowledge through a preassessment). Discussion will be facilitated by asking questions such as "How do you think plants are important in our lives?" and "Can you share any stories or traditions related to plants from your own cultural background?" This will activate their prior knowledge and foster a sense of cultural pride and connection.

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• After activating prior knowledge to the lesson, students will check in with the teacher on NearPod (interactive whiteboard activity), on how they feel about the upcoming activity.

• What I changed
• Evidence of personalized learning
• Connection to culturally responsive principles
• Students’ response and reflection

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• The lesson effectively achieved its objectives of promoting cultural awareness, understanding plant life cycles, and fostering collaboration among students.
• Incorporating technology, such as NearPod and digital presentation tools, was instrumental in enhancing student engagement and facilitating interactive learning.
• Moving forward, we plan to build on this lesson by exploring more cultural connections to scientific topics and integrating student-led inquiries into our science curriculum.
• Overall, the lesson was well-received, achieved its intended goals, and left both teachers and students excited about future explorations in science and cultural connections.

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Kerry Mecabe & Kristin McCormick

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Why do you think this lesson redesign is a better example of a culturally responsive lesson? How will this help students learn?

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This lesson redesign is a better example of cultural responsiveness because it incorporates students' cultural backgrounds, promotes inclusivity, offers choice in learning methods, encourages peer collaboration, and uses technology to enhance engagement and understanding. This approach helps students learn by making connections to their lives, fostering a sense of belonging, and valuing diverse perspectives, ultimately creating a more meaningful and effective learning experience.

Kerry Mecabe & Kristin McCormick

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