LESSON IDEA: WEBSITE-CREATION TOOLS

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Name: Janice Wszolek
Directions:
Using the template below, describe how students could use a blog, wiki, or other website-creation tool to
learn required learning standards in your content area: For an A grade provide an idea that reaches a Level
of Technology Implementation of 4 or above. Remember higher levels (4-6) require that students assume
adult/professional roles; engage in higher-order thinking; and use technology create/publish original content
for their classmates and/or others beyond their school/classroom. The learning activities and products
should be engaging and meaningful to the students and to others who will view/use/benefit from students
work. Review your handouts on Engaged Learning, Authenticity, and LoTi.
Grade Level: 1
st
Grade
Content Area: Science
Technology Used (check all that apply): Blog Wiki Other Website Creation Tool (list): None
Content Area/Grade/Standards/Topics Addressed:

SKL2. Students will compare the similarities and differences in groups of organisms.
a. Explain the similarities and differences in animals. (Color, size, appearance, etc.)
b. Explain the similarities and differences in plants. (Color, size, appearance, etc.)
c. Recognize the similarities and differences between a parent and a baby.
d. Match pictures of animal parents and their offspring explaining your reasoning. (Example:
dog/puppy; cat/kitten; cow/calf; duck/ducklings, etc.)
e. Recognize that you are similar and different from other students. (senses, appearance)


Brief Description of Learning Experience:

We will, as a class, look at blogs made by other students blogs on Edublogs or Kidblog. This will
give the students a realistic view of what is expected from them.

The students will be asked to go to a nature center, zoo, park, aquarium, etc. with their parents or view
online using Google or any other site that can be used to gather the information needed to complete the
project.
They will be given guidelines on what to look for and observe while they are completing the project. Once
they have gathered all their information and taken pictures, they are to create a blog on their findings.
We will have gone over and done different types of blogs in class, so the students will be well informed on
how to create a blog. The students will have one week to gather all the information needed.


Blooms Level of Critical Thinking Required (check all that apply):
See http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Bloom%27s_Taxonomy
Remembering Understanding h Applying Analyzing Evaluating Creating
Student Engagement: Which indicators of Engaged Learning area strong and why?
I believe this lesson is strong in the First indicator of Engaged Learning because students are taking charge
of their own learning. I will give them all the tools needed for the standard and subject matter and then they
get to choose how to interpret, analyze, evaluate and create, all under my guidance and my instructions.

LESSON IDEA: WEBSITE-CREATION TOOLS
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Importance of technology:

Using a website creation tool will assist the children in being able to watch the selected video and do some
pre-learning on the assigned subject area. The project could still be completed without the use of
technology, however, it may not be as interesting and fun to the students. Also, you would lose the ability
to view other students responses.

Inspiration (optional): If you used existing example as a model for your project (whether in part or
whole), include the URL(s) so we can visit. Explain what concepts you borrowed from others.

Internet Safety and Student Privacy:
To be in compliance with CIPA and to protect myself as a teacher, I will ensure that students use
nicknames, fake names, or even their student number when posting to my discussion board when blogging.
I would also incorporate a password for students and parents to use to view the work.

Describe your personal learning goal for this activity.
To teach students a creative way to express their thoughts and its a way of organizing and communicating.

Other comments about your proposed activity: