Basic Productivity Tools (BPT)

Lesson Idea Name: Positive Character Traits of Thomas Jefferson

Content Area: Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 1st
Content Standard Addressed:
 SS1CG1: Describe how the historical figures in SS1H1a display positive character traits such as:
fairness, respect for others, respect for the environment, courage, equality, tolerance,
perseverance, and commitment.

Technology Standard Addressed:

 3- Knowledge Constructor

Selected Technology Tool: PowerPoint

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

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):

PowerPoint is utilized in this lesson as an eBook. This basic productivity tool supports UDL in the following
ways:
 Creative audio and visual components of this tool support the different learning styles.
 Students with learning disabilities will be able to strengthen their writing skills.
 eBooks can support and/or extend reading comprehension through interactivity and convenience.

Lesson idea implementation: 45-60 minutes

The teacher will give each student a nickel to pique students’ interest in this lesson. We have been discussing
Thomas Jefferson; leading students to be able to come up discussions about the nickel. The teacher will
prompt students to share one fact about Jefferson on their dry erase boards and then share with their table
groups. the teacher will share one fact, have each group share one fact, and write them in one column of a t-
chart (under facts).

After each group has shared, the teacher will discuss how those facts can help us determine some of
Jefferson’s positive traits. The teacher will model with the fact she shared i.e. Thomas Jefferson believed in
freedom, so he was fair. The teacher will have the students use the fact their table came up with and write
one positive trait of their own and share. The teacher will record their words in the second column of the t-
chart (positive traits).

Using the facts and traits discussed, the teacher will model how to create an eBook, using PowerPoint, titled
The Positive Character Traits of Jefferson. After creating the eBook, the student will choose another historical
figure within the standards to research, make a graphic organizer, and create their own eBook about that
person’s positive character traits. The student will work in teams depending on which figure they chose and
then present their eBook to the class.
Spring 2018_SJB
 Basic Productivity Tools (BPT)

Reflective Practice:

I believe this lesson will impact student learning because the technology and creativity aspect motivates
learners and it presents content in many different ways. To extend this lesson to a higher LoTi level, students
will publish their eBooks on the classroom website and/or use other basic productivity tools such as Microsoft
365 or Google Slides to collaborate with their group online.

For example they can be used to apply foundational knowledge to create an original product or working in
collaborative groups through an web-based portal such as Google Tools or Microsoft 365.

Spring 2018_SJB