Instructional Software

Lesson Idea Name: Classification

Content Area: Science
Grade Level(s): 5th Grade

Content Standard Addressed:

S5L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to group organisms using scientific classification
procedures.
a. Develop a model that illustrates how animals are sorted into groups (vertebrate and invertebrate) and how
vertebrates are sorted into groups (fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal) using data from multiple
sources.
b. Develop a model that illustrates how plants are sorted into groups (seed producers, non-seed producers)
using data from multiple sources

Technology Standard Addressed:

3d. Students build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and
theories and pursuing answers and solutions.
Selected Technology Tool:

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

https://www.brainpop.com/games/chronopticon/
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):

BrainPOP can be used to support UDL in the following ways:
 There are auditory (videos) and visual (captions and transcript) supports that make this accessible to
auditory/visual learners.
 BrainPOP is available in Spanish for ELL students.

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 Instructional Software
 The videos as well assignments given to the students can be accessed anywhere and as much as
possible for the students who may need to view them more than once for extra support or
understanding.

Lesson idea implementation:

The teacher will introduce classification of plants and animals by asking a general question of “What makes
__________ (ex. a tree) different from _______ (ex. a turtle)?” or “How are _______ (ex. flowers) and
________ (ex. trees) similar?”. The students can answer the question if they wish to or it may be used to
prompt their thinking prior to watching the video. The teacher will play the classification video from BrainPOP
for the students to watch as a class.

After the video, the students will use laptops from the classroom laptop cart; each student will have their own
assigned laptop. On the laptops, the students will access the school’s BrainPOP account to play the game for
classification called “Sortify: Tree of Life”. The students should write down how they group the organisms on
a sheet of paper and once they are done playing, the should discuss how they classified the animas and why
they did it they way they did.
Reflective Practice:
This lesson could progress to a higher LoTi level by having the students use real life models and comparing
them (using a microscope for real samples). The students could also create their own classification scale by
using technology such as Word, Excel, etc.

Spring 2018_SJB