Instructional Software

Lesson Idea Name: Mamma Mia! We’re Sorting Animals!

Content Area: Science
Grade Level(s): Kindergarten

Content Standard Addressed:

SKL1: Students will sort living organisms and non-living materials into groups by observable physical
attributes.
b) Group animals according to their observable features such as appearance, size, motion, where it lives,
etc. (Example: A green frog has four legs and hops. A rabbit also hops).
Technology Standard Addressed:
3—Knowledge Constructor
Selected Technology Tool: BrainPop.com

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable):

https://jr.brainpop.com/science/animals/mammals/
Type of Instructional Software:
☐ Drill and Practice ☒ Tutorial ☐ Simulation ☐ Instructional Game ☐ e-books/e-references

Features of this software (check all that apply):

☐ Assessment Monitoring/Reporting
☐ Allows teacher to create customized lessons for students
☐ Multi-user or collaborative functions with others in the class
☐ Multi-user or collaborative with others outside the class
☒ Accessible to students beyond the school day
☒ Accessible via mobile devices
☒ Multiple languages
☒ Safety, security and/or privacy features

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

☒ Remembering ☒ Understanding ☐ Applying ☐ Analyzing ☐ Evaluating ☐ Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level):

☐ Level 1: Awareness ☐ Level 2: Exploration ☒ Level 3: Infusion ☐ Level 4: Integration
☐ Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL): ELL students can access the BrainPOP ELL section that will pertain to
their English learning needs and their native language. When accessed in the home, BrainPOP ELL can also
help the family of the student with their English learning and keeping track of what their child learns. When in
the classroom, a student with a hearing deficiency can access headphones in order to better immerse
themselves in the videos on the site. These videos are always available on both computer and mobile devices;
the students can spend as much time at home with the videos, fast-forwarding and replaying them as often as
necessary.
Lesson idea implementation:
As a flipped classroom home assignment, the children will take the time to watch the BrainPOP Jr. video on
mammals at home. They will come to class with the previously apprehended knowledge. The students will
have the opportunity, in small groups, to compare and contrast observational characteristics of animals from
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 Instructional Software
four varying habitats (tundra, desert, tropical rainforest, and deciduous forest). They will have the task of
creating a visual of their classifications using pictures cut from National Geographic magazines.
The students will be graded on creativity, teamwork, and cognitive reasoning as to why they classified the
animals as they did.
Reflective Practice: As a means of continuing the learning process, the lesson can open the door to the topics
of endangered species and habitat conservation. Within the animals and habits represented, which ones are
in danger because of the intrusion of man? How can we better protect these species and their habitats? What
personal choices can the student make to ensure the longevity of the earth?
In another direction, the lesson on mammals and their differences in characteristics can lead to a
conversation and lesson on diversity among people (humans being a type of mammal). The students can
discuss differences amongst humans in the sense of race, gender, height, hair color, etc. This can then lead to
the deeper topic of culture and respect.

Spring 2018_SJB