Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)

Lesson Idea Name: Describing Jefferson

Content Area: Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 1st

Content Standard Addressed:

ELAGSE1RI7 Use illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.

SS1H1 Read about and describe the life of historical figures in American history.
a. Identify the contributions made by these figures: Benjamin Franklin (inventor/author/ statesman),
Thomas Jefferson (Declaration of Independence), Meriwether Lewis and William Clark with
Sacagawea (exploration), Theodore Roosevelt (National Parks and the environment), George
Washington Carver (science), and Ruby Bridges (civil rights).

Technology Standard Addressed: 4 – Innovative Designer

Selected Technology Tool: Popplet

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable): http://popplet.com/app/#/4922445

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):

This lesson utilizes the productivity tool, Popplet. Popplet supports UDL in the following ways:
• Utilizes multiple means of representation and expression.
• Presents content in different ways.
• Supports struggling writers organize ideas and thoughts before writing.
• EL students can have pictures to accommodate their learning needs.

Lesson idea implementation: 45-60 minutes

Since we just had picture day, I was able to link this lesson to that personal experience by enlarging a picture
of Thomas Jefferson. Teachers and students will compose a T-chart. In one column we will discuss physical
characteristics (what we see on the outside) and in the other column we will display personal character traits
(characteristics on the inside). Using the eBook from our previous lesson as one of our references, we will fill
out personal characteristics. The teacher will then prompt students to look at the picture of Thomas Jefferson
projecting on the Promethean board. And read the caption describing Jefferson’s physical features written by
grand-daughter and grand-son. The teacher will prompt students to remember one physical characteristic to
share with the class. With the information they share, the student will will fill out information on the T-chart.

Spring 2018_SJB
 Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)
The teacher will demonstrate how to use Popplet and introduce concept mapping. Using the T-chart, the
student will take turns creating new popples for Thomas Jefferson’s personal characteristics. The student will
then each get an iPad and create their own Popplet describing Jefferson’s physical traits (students may use
the ideas we generated for the personal traits or come with their own.) The independent portion of this
lesson will also be used as a summative assessment. To extend the learning to higher levels, DOK questions
will be asked to prompt students to analyze the difference between physical and personal characteristics and
how the two relate.

Reflective Practice:
To further extend the lesson, the student will save their Popplet and use it as a guide to write a narrative
about Thomas Jefferson. The activities created will spark the student’s interest in order to brainstorm
information. This lesson can be differentiated for struggling learners and EL’s. To take this lesson up to a
higher LoTi level, we can publish the student’s Popplets on the class website.

Spring 2018_SJB