Basic Productivity Presentation Tool

Lesson Idea

Lesson Idea Name: Plants and Animals

Grade Level/Content Area: 1st grade Life Science
Content Standard Addressed: S1L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about
the basic needs of plants and animals
a. Develop models to identify the parts of a plant—root, stem, leaf, and flower.
b. Ask questions to compare and contrast the basic needs of plants (air, water, light, and
nutrients) and animals (air, water, food, and shelter).
ISTE Technology Standard Addressed:  What would you like students to know and
1.6 Creative Communicator be able to do by the end of this lesson:
Element 1.6.a: Students choose the By the end of this lesson, I would like my
appropriate platforms and tools for meeting students to be able to understand and
the desired objectives of their creation or explain the parts of a plant, and to compare
communication. and contrast the needs of plants and animals.
What is the student learning goal for this lesson idea?
The student learning goal for this lesson is for students to be able to create their own digital
story about the parts of a plant and about the needs of plants and animals, using a basic
productivity tool.

Selected Basic Productivity Tool:

Microsoft Sway

Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy Level(s):

X Remembering X Understanding ☐ Applying X Analyzing ☐ Evaluating X Creating

How will this lesson be implemented? Check all that apply.

☐ Teacher-directed: There is no student voice and choice in the activities. Students are guided by the
teacher's direction and expectations.

X Student-Led: Students are given voice and choice in the activities. They may select the topic for
presentation and/or determine the tool they will use to meet the learning goal. Products of
learning will be uniquely designed. Teacher simply facilitates the learning in a lesson like this.

☐ Project-based and/or Publishable: Students are completing projects to demonstrate their learning
and the projects can be shared outside of the classroom. 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.
 Basic Productivity Presentation Tool
Lesson Idea

Lesson idea implementation:

To start off this lesson, I will start a conversation with the students about what they already
know about plants and animals. I will use guiding questions to see what information they
know and what information they need to learn. I will then introduce them to the Microsoft
Sway tool. I will show them various things they can do on the application, and I will also show
them an example Sway. I will tell them that today they will be creating their own Sway
presentation about plants and animals. I will make sure to provide a list of all the information
they need to include in the presentation that they can use for guidance. I will encourage my
students to work in pairs so that they can help each other learn how to use the tool and to
keep each other focused. I will allot 30 minutes for them to complete this task, with a break
after the first 15 minutes. I will have students start by designing a storyboard to plan out
what each of their slides will include. Then, I will allow them to start on their Sway. I will
continuously walk around the classroom checking in on the pairs and facilitating them to help
keep them on track. I will answer any questions that may come up as they are working until
their time is up. Once their allotted time is over, I will have everyone sit quietly with their
partner as I discuss what everyone learned while making their Sway. I will ask for each pair to
come up one by one and present their Sway to the class and to share what they learned.
After everyone has presented their creation, the class will discuss our final thoughts on what
we learned today and what everyone thought about making their own digital story.

Managing the technology/engagement: Describe a way to use this technology in a way that
gets students actively involved in authentic tasks and contexts? How will you manage the
classroom behaviors on the technology:
Students will create their own digital story using Microsoft Sway which will get them actively
involved because they get to design their own presentation and show what they learn.
Students will create a storyboard first which will help keep them focused and organized
before they start using the tool. Students will co-engage on this project which will also help
keep them on task and responsible. Students will have 30 minutes to design their Sway with a
break after 15 minutes so they can get a little reset and rest time in order to stay focused on
the task. Students will be told the Ask 3, Then Me rule to limit the number of questions that
the teacher must answer and to encourage students to work together with their peers. I will
scaffold the students and keep them on track by giving them time reminders and answering
any questions they may have after asking their peers.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

By using Microsoft Sway, multiple means of representation are met. Students who may have
visual impairments are supported because of the audio option that is provided while using
the program, which will allow students to record their voice reading the slides. Students who
 Basic Productivity Presentation Tool
Lesson Idea

may have hearing impairments are supported because each slide has words written on them
so that they can follow along. Students can choose multiple ways to design their Sway so that
it fits their learning style the best. Pictures and videos can be added to help students who
may learn better visually and audibly.

Reflecting on enhanced learning:

After designing this lesson idea, I feel that this activity will help students stay engaged and
become excited to learn about various topics once they see how fun it can be. This activity
will allow students to be creative and implement their own ideas so that they can see them
come to life. It will also allow them to work collaboratively, which can help encourage them
to keep trying their best and to stay responsible. The part of the lesson that I look forward to
implementing with students is having them create their Sway. I am excited to see the variety
of ideas students have and to help them learn a new tool that they can use in the future and
be excited about.