Instructional Software Lesson Idea

Lesson Idea Name: Changes over Time!

Grade Level/Content Area: 2nd grade-writing
Content Standard Addressed: ELAGSE2W2 Write informative/explanatory texts in
which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and
provide a concluding statement or section.

S2L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the life cycles of
different living organisms.
ISTE Technology Standard Addressed:
1.3 Knowledge Constructor: Students
critically curate a variety of resources
using digital tools to construct
knowledge, produce creative artifacts
and make meaningful learning
experiences for themselves and others.
- 1.3 a: Students plan and employ
effective research strategies to
locate information and other
resources for their intellectual or creative
pursuits.
What would you like students to know
and be able to do by the end of this
lesson:
Students will be able to use skills to:
• write an informative-explanatory
piece that includes a topic
sentence (introduces a topic).
• use temporal words to signal event
order.
• Use facts and definitions to
develop points.
• write a closing statement.
• use research strategies to locate
information.
• Obtain and share information
about the life cycles of different
living organisms.

What is the student learning goal for this lesson idea?

• I can write an informative-explanatory piece.
• I can write an informative piece that includes a topic sentence (introduces a
topic).
• I can use temporal words to signal event order.
• I can use facts and definitions to develop points.
• I can write a closing.
• I can use research strategies to locate information.
Selected Instructional Software Tool: National Geographic for Kids

Description of Software: National Geographic for Kids- From the unique animals’
listings to the scientific concepts, National Geographic for kids is an instructional
software that engages learners in game and simulations! Students can discover
games that will test their skill set while providing them with valuable information. This
online magazine hosts fact-filled topics created specifically for ages 6 and up.
URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable): Access the software: National
Geographic for Kids

SBooker, 2022
 Instructional Software Lesson Idea
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

How do you plan to implement this lesson and integrate the technology? Check all
that apply:
☐ Teacher-led: There is no student voice and choice in the activities. Students are guided
by the teacher's direction and expectations. Learning activities are assigned to the
student and mostly practice based.

☒ Student-Led: Students are given voice and choice in the activities. They may select the
topic of learning and/or determine the tool they will use to meet the learning goal. The
teacher facilitates the learning as the students direct their own learning processes.

☐ Problem-based and/or Publishable: Students are solving problems and completing

projects to demonstrate their learning. Additionally, the projects can be shared outside
of the classroom. (Note: This objective could be reached by displaying the project on the
school’s morning newscast, posting the project to the classroom blog, presenting it to
another class, or publishing it via an outside source.)
How will you connect this topic to students’ prior knowledge as you teach?
Teacher will begin lesson segment by reviewing and showing the class exemplar
for writing informational paragraph (previously taught with the students). Teacher
and students will review all writing components that should be included based on
the shared rubric. To begin task, teacher will display this video to the students
followed by the following the prompt. As the clip is playing, the teacher is pausing
throughout the scenes to build on the students’ observations or draw their attention
to the needed prior knowledge for this lesson.
The video is a student friendly overview about life cycles (Students should have
already learned or are currently engaging In topic during science). Students should
collect various ideas of examples for organisms and notes characteristics of a life
cycle. This short video gives elementary students an overview of the important life
cycles they need to familiar with and grasp the concept of changes over time.

SBooker, 2022
 Instructional Software Lesson Idea
Prompt:
Select and research an organism. Learn about the stages of its life cycle. Write to
describe its life cycle. Be sure to include an opening, topic sentence, temporal
words, facts, and a closing.

Following the prompt, the teacher will introduce students to the software and how to
quickly navigate and find their organism. Have the class think of an animal to search
for modeling purposes to get the students actively involved. Review the learning
goals for this lesson and distribute devices needed.

Lesson idea implementation:

In this lesson, the teacher will use the attached Powerpoint as a guide. The
Powerpoint includes the standard, learning goals, prompt, and writing examples.
Students will review the prompt for writing listed above. Students (individually or in
pairs) should brainstorm a potential animal to research and have a few moments to
explore the software after the teacher’s overview of the website. Students will select
an animal for their writing piece and conduct research by reading and taking note
of the life cycle components.
As students are exploring their topics using the software, the teacher is actively
facilitating and circulating the room to support students with the learning
expectations and providing verbal or written feedback. To conclude this lesson,
students will return to a whole group setting with their notes. The teacher will review
the writing prompt, learning goals, and have a few students to share one interesting
fact from their findings regarding the selected animal life cycle. In the next lesson,
students will begin developing their draft for writing an informational paragraph.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Reflection:

This lesson is highly engaging for all learners. The software provides great visuals
for young learners and includes an immersive reading feature for students with
reading difficulties. The texts embedded in the software are leveled. This software
and lesson support engagement because the students can actively research life
cycles of their choices. This lesson also supports action and expression because it is
goal-directed, differentiated, and leaves a large opportunity for students to express
what they learned. This leaves room for student choice and voice. The technology
tools enhance the learning environment by replacing the hassle of making copies
and limiting each student to all read about the same animal.

This lesson will uniquely impact student learning. Students will enjoy this purposeful
lesson as they work to meet-exceed learning goals. The students will be motivated to
learn new information about exotic amazing that they do not see daily. I look
forward to enhancing the research skills of young learners with hopes that they will
take this newly developed skill and thrive!

SBooker, 2022