Theories of Development

Sample Assignments

Example #1

I selected this lesson science lesson plan on classifying objects for several reasons. First, I enjoy science and thought that this looked like a fun and informative lesson for 4th graders. Second, I wanted a lesson that would have hands on activities.

The theory that I will use to analyze this lesson plan is Piaget’s. There are several principles of Piaget’s theory demonstrated in this lesson. One of these principles is hands-on experiences. This is seen as the students manipulate the objects to be classified (shell, rock, pine cone, peas, beans, leaves), looking for characteristics in which to use to group the objects. Another principle is multiple classification. In this lesson students are encouraged to classify the objects as a group. Then, each group is to tell how they classified the objects. Students will see from this exercise that objects and animals can be classified into multiple classification ( this level is concrete operational which level most 4th graders would be in). Another principle of Piaget’s that is demonstrated in this lesson is the social interaction of group work. Still another principle that could be seen in this lesson is equilibration. This is not mentioned in the lesson but some of the children would experience this as they would have to change their existing schemas of classification. Still another principle is dependence on concrete reality. Students can reason logically as they handle and see the objects and the pictures of animals.

I did feel that this lesson was developmentally appropriate for 4th graders. As I mentioned earlier, each of the principles of Piaget’s that were demonstrated in this lesson were age appropriate ( dependence on concrete reality and multiple classifications). Other principles of group work and the use of manipulatives, which are included in this theory, are appropriate for all ages. I believe that these principles help to this a good lesson.