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Instructional Software

Lesson Idea Name: What type of Soil Promotes Plant Growth?


Content Area: Science (Earth & Space Science)
Grade Level(s): 3rd Grade

Content Standard Addressed: S3E1.b: Plan and carry out investigations to describe properties (color,
texture, capacity to retain water, and ability to support growth of plants) of soils and soil types (sand,
clay, loam).

Technology Standard Addressed: 3a. Plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information
and other resources for their intellectual or creative pursuits
Selected Technology Tool: Gizmos

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


https://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cResource.dspDetail&ResourceID=615

Type of Instructional Software:


☐ Drill and Practice ☐ Tutorial ☒ Simulation ☐ Instructional Game ☐ e-books/e-references

Features of this software (check all that apply):


☒ Assessment Monitoring/Reporting
☒ Allows teacher to create customized lessons for students
☐ Multi-user or collaborative functions with others in the class
☐ Multi-user or collaborative with others outside the class
☒ Accessible to students beyond the school day
☒ Accessible via mobile devices
☐ Multiple languages
☒ Safety, security and/or privacy features

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): The way that UDL will be implemented in this activity is by allowing the
children the opportunity for them to choose to work with a partner or individually which falls under the
guidelines of engagement in the UDL framework. We will also create a representation of the class’
background knowledge.

Lesson idea implementation:


The students will use the simulation to address the different variables that could make the soil more or less
viable for plant growth. The students will be introduced to the lesson by examining several types of soil and
their consistency. They will then be asked to hypothesize what can be added to the soil that might support
optimal plant growth. They will also be asked to determine if the soil is the only factor that one needs to
Spring 2018_SJB
Instructional Software
consider when determining whether a plant will grow to its fullest potential or not. The students will record
their hypothesis on a worksheet. Then they will be introduced to the simulation where they can decide
whether to add anything to the soil, how much water to add, and how much light to provide the seeds. They
will record each change they make on a customized worksheet. Then they will allow the simulation to run
and they will record their findings. The students will be encouraged to try many different combinations until
they believe that they have found what is needed for optimal growth of a plant.
Once the students are finished collecting their data (over the course of a week) they will be directed to
analyze all their data and pick one of the proven techniques and apply it to a real-life trial and error
experiment. I will meet with the students and we will discuss their thought process and I will provide them
with feedback. Then the students will have a choice of soil type, planter type, and type of seeds that they will
use in their experiment. Once again, they will record their observations, but this time over the course of a
month. At the end of the experiment the students will present their findings to their classmates via a short
verbal presentation describing what they used and the results that they ended up with. They will be given
positive feedback throughout the entire process, during their presentation and after they finish presenting. If
I have any critiques or suggestions I will meet with the student on an individual basis and make sure that it is
delivered in an encouraging way.

Reflective Practice:
I think that this lesson and the activities it entails has the potential to strengthen the student’s learning. It
was part of an introduction to soil types and their ability to support plant life. We will take what we learned
and apply it to other activities regarding soil and soil types. Other technology tools that could aid the
students in their investigation into soil and its ability to support plant life could be microscopes and
thermometers to see if there are noticeable differences in the soils’ composition and their temperatures.

Spring 2018_SJB

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