Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)

Lesson Idea Name: Plant Life Cycle (30 minutes)

Content Area: Science
Grade Level(s): 2nd Grade

Content Standard Addressed: S2L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the life cycles of
different living organisms. (b) Plan and carry out an investigation of the life cycle of a plant by growing a plant
from a seed and by recording changes over a period of time.
Technology Standard Addressed: ISTE-3 KNOWLEDGE CONSTRUCTOR

Selected Technology Tool: Popplet mind-mapping tool

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable): http://popplet.com/app/#/4779179

https://www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/seedplants/ - Video

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): The creation of the Popplet used in this lesson allows the student to
create it in such a way that it benefits them; there is no right or wrong way for them to format the
information. As long as it contains the information of the lesson, they can design their Popplet to fit them.

UDL cannot always be successfully applied to all software programs used in a classroom. Accessibility
guidelines laid out by software companies help to determine what the functionality is for all individuals to
have access. HTML5 does offer the promise of screen readers to be used to aid students in the classroom.
Access for all students should be the guiding force for ensuring all students have a voice in the classroom.

Lesson idea implementation: Teacher will introduce the lesson to the class and will have vocabulary written
on the white board. (Vocabulary: Seed, Mature, Roots, Stem, Leaf, Flower, Fruit). Teacher will start by asking
the class what the parts of a plant are (root, stem, leaf, flower). Teacher will engage students in discussion
about plants and will ask them questions.
Guiding Questions:
• How do plants start out?
• What do plants need to grow?
• What are some examples of plants?
• Where would we see plants?
Teacher will show seed plant video from BrainPOP for students. After video, teacher will access Popplet and
tell students that they will use the one she made as a guide, but they will be creating their own Popplet.
Teacher will give explain to the students that Popplet is a mind-mapping tool or graphic organizer tool.
Based on the video and material discussed in class, students will create their own Popplet, which will serve as
a study guide for a future formative assessment. Students will have 15 minutes to design their Popplet. The
students’ Popplets will guide the teacher’s future instruction of the material.

Spring 2018_SJB
 Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)
REVIEW OF VOCABULARY: Before the lesson conclusion, teacher and class will review vocabulary covered in
the lesson.
LESSON CONCLUSION: Students will complete a 3-2-1 exit ticket. (3 summarizing statements of the lesson, 2
statements about the material they thought were interesting, 1 question they still have).
FEEDBACK: Teacher will offer feedback on the students’ Popplets.
LESSON EXTENSION: To extend the lesson, students can attempt identification of the three leaves teacher
brought to school (Oak, Maple, American Beech) using the teacher’s plant identification book.

Reflective Practice: Popplet is a wonderful tool for students to use. It allows them to create a graphic
organizer of information that is instrumental to the lesson. BBPT’s that require students to create a product
take their digital learning to a new level and expands further learning and engagement. I think the further use
of BrainPOP would be helpful in this lesson as that program offers quizzes and additional activities that will
further engage students.

Popplet is a wonderful mind-mapping or graphic organizer tool to use in

the classroom. It has many applications and students love creating their own Popplet!

Spring 2018_SJB