Instructional Software

Lesson Idea Name: World War What?!

Content Area: Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 5th

Content Standard Addressed:

SS5H2 Describe U.S. involvement in World War I and post-World War I America.
a. Explain how German attacks on U.S. shipping during the war in Europe (1914-1917) ultimately led
the U.S. to join the fight against Germany; include the sinking of the Lusitania and concerns over safety of U.S.
ships, U.S. contributions to the war, and the impact of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919

Technology Standard Addressed: 3-Knowledge Constructor

Selected Technology Tool: www.brainpop.com

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

https://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/worldwari/

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):

This instructional software supports the learning of all students because it provides multiple different
languages and tutorials that are fun and engaging for all students. This website is also great because it can be
accessed outside of school. Students can look up videos to help them with homework or while they are
studying. If I wanted to utilize this website and prevent distractions from their learning, I could use
headphones for the students who tend to get off task easily. If I have students who have issues keeping all
their facts straight, I can create a graphic organizer that can help them organize their thoughts and facts. One
of the best things that BrainPop has to offer, is their closed captioning option which can support students

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 Instructional Software
who may have a hearing impairment.

Lesson idea implementation:

This BrainPop video about WWI will be showed after the teacher probes the students for prior knowledge.
The teacher will try to gain a better understanding of the student’s background knowledge and what they
know and what they need to focus on. The teacher will record what the students have said in a K-W-L chart in
the front of the room. The teacher will only do the K and W part of the chart prior to watching the video.

After we watch the video as a class, the students will have time to discuss with their peers two interesting
facts that they learned from the video. At this point, the teacher will walk around and take notes of what the
students are talking about so that they can being the assessment process. We will then come back together as
a class and fill in the L part of the K-W-L chart. The teacher will then pass out some comprehension questions
based on the video and what they should have retained from the video and our class discussion and they will
again use the observation method to gather information on the students. For any struggling learners that I
come across, I will offer small group time or one-on-one intervention.

Reflective Practice:
I think that the activities I have chosen allow the students to engage in a small group, large group and
individual setting so they have multiple times that they reflect on the information that they are being given. If
I wanted to extend this lesson, I could give them a hands on project to complete regarding World War I. This
would allow them to utilize other mediums or even another type of technology if they choose and this would
be used to showcase their knowledge of World War I that they have learned from the video.

Spring 2018_SJB