Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)

Lesson Idea Name: What Does Our Government Do?

Content Area: Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 4th grade

Content Standard Addressed: SS4CG3 Describe the structure of government and the Bill of Rights. a.
Describe how the three branches of government interact with each other (checks and balances and
separation of powers), and how they relate to local, state, and federal government.

Technology Standard Addressed:

3- Knowledge Constructor
Selected Technology Tool: Bubbl.us

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

Bubbl.us
Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):
☒ Remembering ☒ Understanding ☒ Applying ☐ Analyzing ☐ Evaluating ☐ Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level): (Select the one best level)
☐ Level 1: Awareness ☒ Level 2: Exploration ☐ Level 3: Infusion ☐ Level 4: Integration
☐ Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Universal Design for Learning is incorporated into this lesson based on
the students being presented with the pre-made template to fill in their bubbles with information. Students
will also have the ability to do this with a group if need be. This also allows learners who need to see things
visually and work with information the ability to do so.

Lesson idea implementation: This lesson will be the end to a unit about the branches of government. The
teacher will introduce the class to bubbl.us and they will all create an account. The website calls for first
name, email, and password. Using the student’s first name does not interfere with privacy laws, and the
students have school email addresses to use or an educational account may be used. Students who need
extra assistance will be logged into the teacher’s account where they can use the template. Students will then
create a Bubbl.us about the three branches of government, what they do, and how they provide a check to
another branch.

These mind-maps will be screenshotted and placed into a project that the students will do as a summative
assessment relating to the whole standard and how the branches relate. The students will also be given the
opportunity to work by themselves or with a partner to brainstorm ideas and complete the mind map.
Students will be pulled aside by their groupings, so I can observe their progress and answer any questions
they may have. At the end of the week, the students can present their mind maps to the class as a part of
their whole project. I will have a rubric to fill out for the students to grade them based on what they filled out
on the mind map.

Reflective Practice: The next part of the standard includes what the branches of government are like in a
state and city, so the students must have a good foundation in them relating to the federal government. The
students completing this activity is beneficial for their learning because they are working with the information

Spring 2018_SJB
 Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)
and solidifying it in creative ways. Their overarching project that will have their mind maps on them will be
used as their summative assessments and also have the information about the city and state governments as
well. Allowing students the ability to display the information in a way that works for them helps them to take
ownership of their project and learn the information in a new level.

Spring 2018_SJB