Classroom Blog and Website Creation Tools

Lesson Idea Name: Erosion

Content Area: Science
Grade Level(s): 5th
Content Standard Addressed: S5E1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to identify surface
features on the Earth caused by constructive and/or destructive processes.

a. Construct an argument supported by scientific evidence to identify surface features (examples could
include deltas, sand dunes, mountains, volcanoes) as being caused by constructive and/or destructive
processes (examples could include deposition, weathering, erosion, and impact of organisms)

Technology Standard Addressed: 3- Knowledge Constructor

Selected Technology Tool:

☒ Blog ☐ Wiki ☐ Other: Website Creation Tool (list): edublogs.org

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable): https://www.brainpop.com/science/forcesofnature/erosion/

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): Audio will be used to present the flipped classroom assignment for this
lesson and it will be available on the classroom blog. Students and parents that are auditory learners will
benefit from this form of communication because they understand information better through listening. The
audio file will also support students and parents learning English by allowing them to listen to the file more
than once. A written transcript will be provided with the audio file to support students with hearing
difficulties during this part of the project. BrainPOP will be utilized during this lesson to introduce the project.
BrainPOP offers the erosion video in languages such as Spanish and French for students learning English. This
will help make content accessible for English learners by providing them with support in their home language.
Students with limited English proficiency will be given headsets to listen to the video in their L1 during the
lesson while the rest of the class watches it in English. Written transcripts are also available in BrainPOP for
students with hearing difficulties during the lesson.

Lesson idea implementation: The teacher will begin the lesson by having students watch a short video on
BrainPOP about the process of erosion. When the video ends, the teacher will lead a discussion on the key
differences between erosion, weathering, and deposition. The teacher will ask students to share signs of
erosion they found on their walk over the weekend with the class. Students will discuss how these examples
show signs of erosion in their small groups. Then, students will divide into pairs and choose a landform to
research and model for a project.
Once students choose a landform for their research project, they will research the landform and
investigate how it was created and what processes created it. Students can decide how they want to present
this information to the class. Students will build a model of the landform and label features caused by
weathering, erosion, and deposition to go along with their presentation. A project checklist will be provided
to guide students as they complete their project. Students will present these projects to the class and do a

Summer 2017_SJB
 Classroom Blog and Website Creation Tools
short reflection at the end of the project. A rubric will be used to evaluate student's projects once they are
complete.
Importance of technology: A website-creation tool is not critical to the project and it could be completed
without this technology, but it makes the project more accessible to students and parents. Without this
technology, the project wouldn't be as available or easily understood. Students will also be using technology
during the lesson to watch a video, research landforms, and create presentations and models. This would not
be possible without the use of technology because the information and tools needed wouldn't be as
accessible.

Inspiration (optional): NA

Internet Safety and Student Privacy: Internet safety and student privacy are important things to consider
when using the Internet in the classroom. The classroom blog can bring up issues surrounding safety and
privacy if teachers do not take the proper precautions. I will password protect certain pages on my blog to
prevent unauthorized users from accessing this private information. When students use the Internet, I will
follow common Internet Safety and Acceptable Use Policies and establish rules and procedures for students
to follow during the lesson. I will alleviate any fears by parents and administrators by informing them of what
we will be using, how it supports learning, and how I plan to protect student's privacy and safety.

Reflective Practice: I feel these activities will impact student learning of slow changes by giving them an
opportunity to investigate and model surface features formed by these processes. This is not an introductory
activity, but I could extend this lesson by inviting experts on technology used to limit erosion to talk to the
class and help them design technology to limit the impact of erosion on the landform they chose.

Summer 2017_SJB