Multimedia: Audio or Video Lesson Idea

Lesson Idea Name: The Three Branches of Government

Grade Level/Content Area: 3rd Grade Social Studies
Content Standard Addressed:
SS3CG1a. Describe the three branches of national government: executive (president), legislative (Congress),
and judicial (Supreme Court of the United States).
ISTE Technology Standard Addressed:  What would you like students to know and be
Creative Communicator – 1.6.d. Students able to do by the end of this lesson:
publish or present content that customizes the Define and describe the three branched of
message and medium for their intended national government.
audiences.

What is the student learning goal for this lesson idea?

I can define and describe the three branches of government by creating a video or podcast with a
partner.
Selected Instructional Software Tool: Spotify Podcasters

Description of Software: Spotify podcasters allows anyone to create and publish a audio/video
podcast for free.

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

Beneficial for students with language difficulties or with visual impairment.

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.)
Lesson idea implementation:
I plan to introduce my students to the three branches of government and allow them to create a
video or podcast describing what they have learned. I will state student goals at the beginning of the
TFrazier, 2022
 Multimedia: Audio or Video Lesson Idea

lesson and have it posted one the board throughout the lesson as a reminder. Students will use
Spotify Podcasters to create an audio or video podcast with a partner about the three branches of
government. The teacher will just be there to observe and answer any questions students may have.
Students will receive feedback through their peers on their podcast. To conclude the lesson,
students will have the opportunity to share their podcast with the class as a whole.
Managing student learning: 
By using the Spotify Podcasters tool students will become active social learners and take charge of their
learning. They will have set time limits for first completing a script with their partner for their audio/video
podcast and for creating then publishing their podcast.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Reflection:

The technology tool I selected, Spotify Podcasters, supports and benefits different types of learners.
Students with visual impairment, students that are learning English, and students who have difficulty
reading can all benefit from having an auditory option in their learning and having a transcript
enhances the experience for those who may need a translation or for those who can use the
transcript to follow along with the audio.
Reflection:
I feel this lesson idea will excite students and encourage them to be more involved in their own
learning and keep them engaged with the topic. I look forward to having students use their creativity
and publish their branches of government podcast and share it with me and the rest of their peers.

TFrazier, 2022