Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)

Lesson Idea Name: Biographies

Content Area: English Language Arts
Grade Level(s): 3rd

Content Standard Addressed:

 ELACC3RI2. – Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they
support the main idea.
 ELACC3RI5. – Use text features and search tools (e.g., key words, sidebars, hyperlinks) to locate
information relevant to a given topic quickly and efficiently.
 ELACC3RI7. – Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a
text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).

Technology Standard Addressed:

Knowledge Constructor-
Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to
construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts and make meaningful
learning experiences for themselves and others
Selected Technology Tool: ReadWriteThink Timeline

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

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/timeline_2/
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):

Multiple means of representation. This principle of UDL could be addressed at multiple points throughout
the lesson. During the initial explanation of biographical texts, I can give a verbal explanation while also
writing notes on the board so that students can hear and see what is being said. I can also show a video that
discusses the same information. In the library students can psychically see the differences between different
types of texts.
Multiple means of action and expression. Students can demonstrate their understanding of the material in
different ways during this lesson. They have the opportunity to create a computer generated timeline to
demonstrate that they understand what they’ve read. Students also have the opportunity to verbalize or
express they’re learning in whatever way suites them best, when it is their turn to teach the class.
Multiple means of engagement. This lesson provides multiple ways to engage students. Students are able to
choose a figure that is interesting to them so they are more likely to stay engaged. Students also get to be
creative and make something using the computer which is also engaging for them
Lesson idea implementation:

The lesson will start off with a discussion of biographies. We will read an example of a short biography as a
class and discuss it. The class will take a trip to the library where students will be able to choose a person of
interest and locate some biographical information on their chosen person. The students will be asked to do
research on their chosen person and use the information they collect to create a timeline of the person’s life,

Spring 2018_SJB
 Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)
highlighting important events using the readwritethink timeline tool. This lesson will conclude with students
will then use the timeline they created to teach the class about their chosen person.

Learning will be assessed at multiple points throughout the lesson. I will be able to assess whether students
understand what a biography is by seeing what type of materials they get from the library trip. I will be able
to assess whether students understood what they read by looking at their timeline creations as well as
listening to them teach it back to the class. This lesson extends the student learning to a higher level because
this lesson is about tore then just memorization and regurgitation. Students will need to demonstrate that
they understand how a biographical text is different than other types of texts that they have been exposed to.
They will also need to demonstrate that they can read a biographical text and understand it and explain and
discuss what they’ve read.

Reflective Practice:

After designing this lesson idea, I think that the activities I have created would have a good impact on student
learning. I am giving student the opportunity to read about someone that they find interesting. So they are
learning about how biographies differ from the texts they are used to reading while at the same time learning
about history and incorporating that newfound knowledge into a final product that they can use to teach
their peers. One thing that I would change in this lesson would be to have students choose to read about
figures that relate to what they have been learning in another class, like maybe interesting historical figures
or scientists. I think that the use of other tools such as PowerPoint could enhance the presentation portion of
this project.

Spring 2018_SJB