Online Projects, Collaboration Sites and Publishing Opportunities

Lesson Idea Name: Go Green!

Content Area: Science
Grade Level(s): 4th
Content Standard Addressed: S3L2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the effects of
pollution (air, land, and water) and humans on the environment. a. Ask questions to collect information and
create records of sources and effects of pollution on the plants and animals .b. Explore, research, and
communicate solutions, such as conservation of resources and recycling of materials, to protect plants and
animals

Technology Standard Addressed: 3. Knowledge Constructor

Selected Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity: Online Project: Project Green Schools

URL(s) to support the lesson: https://projectgreenschools.org/

Describe how you would incorporate an Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity in your
classroom: I would use the Project Green Schools website to support the fourth grade standards that
involves learning about the environment. I would use this resource in my class to give students additional
information and materials that will support their learning in this area. The website shows students how they
can make changes in their school and gives project suggestions and examples of how students have positively
impacted their schools. There is even an opportunity for students to submit their work and their project on
the website that qualifies them to be considered for winning an award created by the organization.
I would allow the students to explore the site and record their findings. They can write down important
information they learn about going green and protecting the environment and they can also take note of
interesting projects students like them have done in other schools. I would then have the students
collaborate and devise a plan for their own project to work on in their school. They can use the website for
support and upon completion, they will submit their work to the organization. This will be a fun and engaging
way to get students involved and interested in the lesson in a hands-on way that uses technology for support.

What technologies would be required to implement this proposed learning activity in a classroom?
The students would need access to computers. This would allow them to explore the site and began to work
on their online learning project.
Describe how the following features are addressed in this learning experience (note: all of them may not be
addressed in the project, but most should be if you are reaching a high LoTi Level).
a. Collaboration with peers, near-peers, mentors outside their classroom and often beyond their
school: There is a lot of opportunity for collaboration in this lesson. The students will explore the
resources and share their findings and thoughts about the topic with one another. They will then work
together to design their own project for their school related to making a change in order to positively
impact the environment.

b. Student-centered learning and knowledge creation (creating original data and or producing original
products as a result of engaging in a project): The students will keep track of all the data incorporated
in their project they choose for the school. They will be asked to stay organized and efficient as they
work and keep track of every detail involved in the process.

c. Higher-order thinking: Design a project that will help change your school to be greener. Discuss ideas
with your peers about the environment and making a difference in your community.

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 Online Projects, Collaboration Sites and Publishing Opportunities
d. Students publishing their original work to others who will use/care about their product: The
students will take their completed project they did in the school and submit their work online. They
will submit information and photos to the Project Green Schools website to show how they worked to
make their own school a “green school”.

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: The students will have their interests fueled through the use of the online learning project. They
will be able to interact with one another and work together on a project meant to improve the school’s
ecological footprint. They will be able to discuss ideas and build their understanding off of one another.
Representation: The information pertaining to the lesson will be presented to the students in multiple ways.
The teacher will go over the lesson and important ideas and then show the students the website that has
been attached above. This reinforces the key ideas and vocabulary and prior knowledge will be activated as
the students have conversations about the environment.
Action and Expression: The students will be given the opportunity to demonstrate what they know as they
work on the project together. They will use the resources found on the website provided to them in order to
create a project to incorporate into their own school that will make a positive impact.

Lesson idea implementation and Internet Safety Policies:

I would run this online learning project idea by the heads of the school to ensure they are okay with its
implication since the students will be making a project to make a change in the school. I would ensure that
the information being submitted does not include any personal information about the students in my class. I
would also make sure that the students only use the website provided or get permission from me before
using other sites so that I can ensure they are staying on safe websites.

Reflective Practice:
I feel like this lesson and the use of technology will have a great impact on student learning. By getting them
up and active and working together as a class, they will stay engaged and focused on the topic of the lesson. It
allows them to take the information being taught to them and put it into practice so they can learn by doing
instead of only listening to the teacher tell them about the topic. To further extend the lesson, I would have
the students do their own project at home in order to make a greener home and share what they chose to do
with the class. Some other technology that could be included could involve educational videos or learning
games about the environment.

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