Instructional Software

Lesson Idea Name: Vertebrate Create!

Content Area: Science
Grade Level(s): 5th grade

Content Standard Addressed:

S5L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to group organisms using scientific classification
procedures.
a. Develop a model that illustrates how animals are sorted into groups (vertebrate and invertebrate) and how
vertebrates are sorted into groups (fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal) using data from multiple
sources.

Technology Standard Addressed: 3 – Knowledge Constructor

Selected Technology Tool: BrainPop.com

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

https://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/vertebrates/

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):

Engagement: This lesson allows for multiple means of engagement through giving the students options of
how they can create their diagram based on their unique needs. They are given free reign on how they want
to make their diagram as long as it shows vertebrates, invertebrates, and their group of vertebrates (i.e. frogs,
amphibians, etc.). For students with learning disabilities, technology such as apps on iPads can be used to
support them. English learners can choose to draw their diagrams if they struggle with writing in English. This
lesson is universal for all the unique needs of students in order to engage them.

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Representation: This lesson also allows for multiple means of representation as the lesson begins with a
video explaining invertebrates, vertebrates, and the groups within vertebrates. This can be easier for students
to understand because it allows for different means of auditory and visual input. When researching their
group of vertebrates, students can use many types of resources to find information regarding their group,
whether that is through books from the media center, watching videos online, using apps, etc. This allows for
many different ways to display information rather than giving the students only one option that might not
work best for them.

Action and Expression: This Vertebrate Create! lesson gives students the opportunities and tools to vary their
methods for response and navigation, meaning that they can take many different routes to create their
diagram. This allows for the students to express themselves in the strongest way possible because they can
choose their favorite method for creating their diagram. Through the use of technology, drawing, etc. they
are given multiple tools for construction of their diagram. Allowing students to be creative through the
composition of their diagram also means that all of the products will be different and unique. Students with a
physical disability, for example, could use technology to create their diagram if they struggle to use materials
like pencils, crayons, and scissors. This makes the lesson universal for all student needs.

Lesson idea implementation: Teacher will begin the lesson by introducing vertebrates and invertebrates. The
BrainPop video will be shown to the students to help them begin to understand the concept of vertebrates
and invertebrates, as well as the groups that vertebrates are classified in. Next, students will split into groups
to research some animals that fall under the vertebrate category and some animals that fall under the
invertebrate category (this will be done using online resources, books from the Library, etc.). After they have
found some examples of animals that are vertebrates and invertebrates, they will be instructed to design a
diagram however they would like to show the separate groups of vertebrates and invertebrates. Then each
group will be assigned a specific group within the vertebrate group (fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and
mammal). From here, each group will add to their diagram to show examples of the group of vertebrates they
were assigned, as well as more information that they can teach to their peers. Again, students will be
required to do online research to get more information about their group of vertebrates. When each group
has finished designing their diagram based on their group of vertebrates, they will be presented to the class
so that each collaborative group learns more about the other groups of vertebrates.

This jigsaw activity is great for the students to gain knowledge about their specific group of vertebrates and
teach that knowledge to their peers. They are required to create a diagram any way they’d like – a drawing,
using technology such as apps or programs on iPads or laptops, using materials such as construction paper to
create the diagram, etc. Students can use websites such as Bubbl.us to create their diagram. Apps such as
Lucidchart will allow students to easily put together their diagram as well. Students will have to do in depth
research using specific websites and books to learn more about their group of vertebrates. These aspects of
this lesson make it a Loti level 4 as the students are creating a product and must use technology to find
information to put in their diagram. After all the collaborative groups have presented their information about
their group of vertebrates, the students will write a short reflection on what they learned about vertebrates
and invertebrates, as well as the 5 groups of vertebrates that they were taught by their peers.

Reflective Practice:
Student learning can be impacted through this activity on vertebrates and invertebrates because of the
students’ ability to explore these concepts through online resources. This is a great way to improve student
learning because the students are given the freedom to search for credible information and must interpret
that information to comprehend it. This lesson could be extended by having a school-wide science fair where
students in this class choose a classification of vertebrates and go into more detail about that classification
through deeper research. Students might interview the science teachers at the school to gain more

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information from a knowledgeable resource. Technology can be used to enhance this project by having
students take pictures or screenshots of their diagrams and publishing them on the teacher’s blog or website
to be shared. This allows for the diagrams to be studied and viewed by students and parents outside of the
classroom.

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