Direct Instruction at its Finest

I have many ideas about lessons that use direct instruction, since it is the easiest to use. The trick was implementing tech. At first I struggled to come up with any ideas. Then suddenly, BAM! Ideas abounding! Then the trick was to narrow it down to just three :) Here they are:

Lesson #1
How to use/read thermometers (3 days)
Materials: thermometer with Fahrenheit and Celsius; a bowl of hot water; a bowl of cold water; document camera; iPads
Day 1: Remind students about previous lessons of heat; a thermometer is a measuring tool, it measures heat; explain the need to know how to read a thermometer (basic, everyday skill...)
Show the red line in the thermometer (or silver) and the numbers up each side; identify the increments as well as the "C" for Celsius and the "F" for Fahrenheit. Read the current temperature on the thermometer. Put thermometer in hot water and watch the change; when the red/silver stops moving, read the temperature. Do the same with the cold water. Have students try this in pairs.
Day 2: Review the previous day. The pairs will take temperatures of places I have assigned outside and inside the school, recording the temperatures. They will take pictures and video of themselves with the iPads as they explore using the thermometers. When they are finished, they will start making a video detailing what they did, what they learned doing it, and how they can apply it to everyday life.
Day 3: Finish the videos and then present them to the class.

Lesson #2
The Scientific Method (3-4 days)
Day 1: Have students take notes in Science Journal about each step of the Scientific Method (problem, background, hypothesis, materials, experiment, data, conclusion). Come up with a mnemonic to help memorize the order and steps.
Day 2: Review steps and process of the Scientific Method; put into pairs; pass out paper strips with the steps written on them; have races putting the steps in order. Give a small treat to the fastest group. Continue until each group has finished and received a treat. With partner, start making a project on Scratch about the steps of the Scientific Method
Day 3: Review the steps and process of the Scientific Method. Continue working on presentation. Present at end of class or the next day.


Lesson #3
Six characteristics/needs of all living things (6 days)
Day 1: Take notes in Science Journal about the six characteristics of all living things (made of cells, grow and develop, respond to environment, adapt to environment, reproduce, use energy).
Day 2-3: Make a glog about any organism showing its six characteristics.
Day 4: Take notes in Science Journal about the six needs of all living things (food, water, living space, gas exchange, correct temperature, energy).
Day 2-3: Make a glog using any organism showing it's characteristics