Classroom

Blog and Website Creation Tools

Lesson Idea Name: Shapes in our Community
Content Area: Math
Grade Level(s): Kindergarten
Content Standard Addressed: MGSEK.G.2 Correctly name shapes regardless of their orientations or overall
size
Technology Standard Addressed: Digital Citizen

Selected Technology Tool:
☒ Blog ☐ Wiki ☐ Other: Website Creation Tool (list):

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable):
https://jr.brainpop.com/math/geometry/planeshapes/
http://mskyah.edublogs.org/


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):
Representation: The students are getting the chance to hear the audio file on my blog which will support
students who struggle with reading or have visual impairments. The students will also be provided with a
transcript for students who have hearing impairments. The transcript could easily be run through a translator
for ELL support.
Action and Expression: The students will get to actively engage in going outside into the community to find
physical examples of shapes.
Engagement: The students will be engaged in the activity because there is individual choice present. They get
to choose where to look for their shapes and they get to do it along with their families.

Lesson idea implementation:
Initially, the students will be asked to complete a flipped classroom lesson on naming shapes. They will begin
by listening to the audio on the classroom blog. This will deliver the instructions for the activity. They will then
watch a BrainPOP video at home that introduces and covers different shapes. The students will go outside
with their families to find any examples of the shapes they learned about out in the real world. The students
have the choice to either take pictures or draw the objects/shapes that they find. When the students return
to class on Monday, we will use all of the pictures and drawings to create giant posters for each kind of shape.
The lesson will take place over the weekend and continue into Monday.

I will conclude the lesson by presenting all of the different shapes that the students found. I will present all of
the drawings and pictures that were brought in, and explicitly review the key differences between the
different shapes. Student learning will be assessed by completion of the assignment. The final products will be
used to inform my knowledge of how well the students are able to identify different shapes. I will extend
student learning to a higher level by having them choose two shapes and compare/contrast using a Venn
Diagram.

Summer 2017_SJB
 Classroom Blog and Website Creation Tools



Importance of technology:
Using a blog is critical in this lesson, because the activity is intended to be completed as a flipped-classroom
assignment. The project could still be completed without a blog, but the audio instructions would need to be
delivered in some other technological way. The blog is definitely the easiest and safest tool for delivering the
content to families and students. Another technological tool isn’t required for this activity, but it could be
used if families decide to go with the picture option of turning in their results. They would need access to a
device that can take pictures and print them out, or electronically deliver them to be printed out.

Inspiration (optional): n/a

Internet Safety and Student Privacy:
A lot of parents and administrators may fear that outsiders will have access to information on the classroom
blog. One major way to alleviate fears from parents and administrators would be to have a password
protected blog. Additionally, I would never post any student names, pictures, or work online. I would only
post student work with parent consent.

Reflective Practice:
I feel this activity would positively impact student learning. Most importantly, they will get to engage in a
classroom assignment at home with their families. This family engagement is an important component that
should be implemented more in education. I would further extend this lesson with technology by having
students use Microsoft Excel. They will create data charts on how many examples of different shapes were
found by the class.

Summer 2017_SJB