Mini-Lesson & Reflection Template

Name: Christina Battaglini

Pima Course: EDC 257
Lesson Topic: How to Make Homemade
Delicious Baked Meatballs
Number of Learners: 3

Date: 4/3/2016
Instructor: Professor Lopez
Duration of Lesson: 17 minutes.

Description of Learners: 3 students - 5th, 6th

and 7th Grader
Instructional Objective: Must use a verb that aligns with Blooms Revised Taxonomy and has
at least two parts, learning and behavior.
After learning the steps to making meatballs, together the students will demonstrate the
3 steps involved in making a perfectly cooked meatballs.
Anticipatory Set: Describe how you will engage students and connect to their background
knowledge. (1-2 mins)
Show students a picture of a plate of delicious spaghetti and meatballs. Ask who is
hungry and would like this for dinner? Next, place a package of spaghetti, a jar of sauce
and a package of ground beef in front of the students. Ask students if each item is ready
to be cooked? The students should notice that the ground beef is not ready to be
cooked. First it needs to be made into meatballs.

Teaching: Describe how the strategy/concept/skill will be introduced/modeled. (1-3 mins)

First I will show the students the 3 steps it takes to make meatballs. Step 1 in a bowl
add all ingredients and ground beef together and mix. Step 2 form round balls out of
the mixture. Step 3 Bake meatballs in oven for 30 minutes.

Active Involvement: Describe what students will do in a short practice session to demonstrate
understanding. (5-8 mins)

Together the students will demonstrate the 3 steps involved in making homemade
meatballs. One student will be in charge of each step and will describe what they are
doing as they proceed.

Closure: Describe how you will provide an opportunity for students to share work, ideas,
review, etc. (1-2 mins)
Once the meatballs are cooked the students will taste them. Then, each student will
describe the meatballs in one or two words and tell which part of the lesson they liked
best.

Mini-Lesson & Reflection Template

Reflection:

I taught 3 students; one 5th grade boy, one 6th grade girl and one 7th grade boy how to make
meatballs for dinner. The lesson was highly effective and engaging for the students. Each
student was interested from the beginning to work towards producing the final result.
When I showed the kids a picture of a perfect plate full of mouthwatering spaghetti and
meatballs each one expressed their love for the dinner. By showing them a box of spaghetti,
jar of sauce and a package of ground beef they were able to reflect on the fact that
something had to be done to the ground beef to turn it into meatballs. The students
realized that minimal preparation was needed for the spaghetti and sauce to be ready to
eat.

My demonstration went well as the students listened and watched. I made sure to

clearly point out the 3 steps that I wanted them to demonstrate for me later. During each
step I highlighted specific tricks to making the most delicious meatballs. At this point it
would have been good for the students to take a few notes as they watch me. When it came
time for them to demonstrate their understanding they could recall the main parts of what
to do, but couldnt recall the extra details. An option would be to give each student a piece
of paper with an ingredient list and a place to write a few notes about each step. The
students decide ahead of time who would be in charge of demonstrating each part,
therefore the active involvement part was well organized. However, planning in time to
wash hands is important. Each student showed the proper technique to rolling a meatball
and then needed to wash their hands before going on to the next part. I think next time it
would be fun to finish the lesson with the sauce and spaghetti ready to eat with the
meatballs. The students were old enough to be able to handle a mini-lesson on making
spaghetti and meatball dinner instead of just meatballs. Im still confused on whether I

Mini-Lesson & Reflection Template

have all the parts to the objective addressed. Also, what is the best way to get all students
involved during a mini-lesson? What is the best way to make sure a mini-lesson stays mini
and not too involved and off the objective?