Classroom

Blog and Website Creation Tools

Lesson Idea Name: Is it Living or Non-Living Thing?
Content Area: Science
Grade Level(s): Kindergarten
Content Standard Addressed: SKL1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how organisms
(alive and not alive) and non-living objects are grouped.

Technology Standard Addressed: 3- Knowledge Constructor

Selected Technology Tool:
☒ Blog ☐ Wiki ☐ Other: Website Creation Tool (list):

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

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: Students will be engaged in this flipped classroom activity in which it allows the students to go
outside and find a living thing. The students will be exploring as well as playing outside. The students are then
asked to find something non-living. The students will be engaged to do this since they have been learning
about it. The students are able to do this with their family so they will be excited to explore with others.

Representation: The students will be introduced to the topic before going home on the weekend. There will
be an introductory lesson for the topic.

Action and Expression: Students are able to show what they found through a picture and words. After the
weekend, the students will come to class and show the class the drawing of what they found as well as telling
the class. The students are able to explain what they found.

This lesson can be differentiated for students with other specific needs. There are many ways I can implement
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to support student learning for all students in the classroom. For
example, I can use google translate for English Language Learners. The transcript on the audio file will help
the students learn what is being said. I can use pictures to have the students show the difference between
living and non-living things. For lower level students, I can assist these students in step by step directions. For
students who cannot read, I can include pictures and visuals. For students who cannot speak, I can have them
use a text to speech app. I will also provide the audio file on the classroom blog. Lastly, for students who
cannot hear, I can write down the directions and include visuals. There will be a transcript on the classroom
blog. I can differentiate this lesson based off of the needs of my students.

Lesson idea implementation: On Friday, I will introduce the topic of living and non-living things. I will show
the students examples of living things and examples of non-living things. I will state what living things need to
be living. This will be the introductory lesson for the students before they go home for the weekend. When
the students go home for the weekend, they will be asked to look on the classroom blog with their family. The
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 Classroom Blog and Website Creation Tools
students are asked to listen to the audio file on the classroom blog. The audio file states that students need to
find living and non-living things with their family. The students will explore the topic by finding living and non-
living things at home. The students will find these things inside and outside. Once they find an example of
each, they will draw a picture of that living and non-living thing. In class Monday, the students will share their
drawings and state what they found and where they found it. The teacher can elaborate on each and state
why or why it is not a living or non-living thing. This lesson will take approximately 45 minutes.

The students will be assessed on the work they turn in. Each student should have at least two drawings when
they come to class on Monday. The students will also need to share what they drew and if it is living or non-
living. I will give feedback on each drawing and if they are correct. I will explain why it is living or non-living.
Each student will have the chance to present their work. This will be a fun engaging activity in which all of the
students will explore hands on and see different living and non-living things. This activity also allows for the
family to be involved in what the student is learning at school. Once the students have returned their
drawings, the teacher can make a board to hang in the class of living and non-living things. For the online blog
and to be safe, the teacher can make a poster of words of what the students found. With permission and on
the password protected page, the teacher can post pictures of the student’s work. The students can practice
and refer to the pictures. To extend students learning, I can give them a specific place and they would have to
come up with living and non-living things in that place.
Importance of technology: Using a multimedia tool is critical to this project in which I am able to send an
audio file to the blog website for families and students to view over the weekend. Having the audio file and
transcript is beneficial for all students, including English learners, in which they are able to read the transcript
while listening to the audio file. When discussing each students drawing, the document camera and
SMARTBoard will be used to display the students drawing.
Inspiration (optional): I used the sound audio clip “Bouncy Fun Song” by Scott Holmes from
FreeMusicArchive.com. I used the software Audacity to edit and record my own audio file.
Internet Safety and Student Privacy: It is important to keep student’s information private when interacting
with the internet. First, teachers should not give student names, grade, number, date of birth, email address,
etc. Teachers should receive parent permission to allow for students to use the internet. It is important for
teachers to follow the school and district internet and safety policies. To ensure that Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is being followed, the classroom blog has a password protection for parents to
see certain things that the teacher uploads. Students work will need to have parental permission to be
uploaded to the classroom blog.
Reflective Practice: Students were introduced to the topic before going home on the weekend. The students
were then able to explore the topic by finding living and non-living things at home with their family. I think
this impacted the students learning because they were able to be hands on with the activity and physically
explore inside and outside of their home. This lesson will allow students to apply their knowledge about a
topic, while physically exploring at home. The students are using their knowledge while spending time with
their family. This allows for the family to be involved and be aware of what is being learning in the classroom.
Technology could be furthered in which I could allow the students to make their own audio files explaining
living and non-living things as well as examples of each. Teacher would need parental permission for students
to do this.

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