INSTRUCTIONAL SOFTWARE

Name: Rachel Allman

Software Title: BrainPop
URL: https://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/usgovernment/branchesofgovernment/
Function(s) of Instructional Software (check all that apply):
Drill and Practice Tutorial Simulation Instructional Game e-books/e-references
Features of the Software (check all that apply):
Assessment Monitoring/Reporting (Keeps track of student data and/or generates reports for
the teacher) Allows teacher to create customized lessons for students Multi-user or
collaborative functions with others in class Multi-user or collaborative functions with others
beyond local class Accessible to students beyond the school day Accessible via mobile
devices Multiple languages Safety, security, and/or privacy features
Strengths of the Software: Very engaging, multiple content areas are addressed, easy to navigate,
colorful and fun characters.
Suggestions for Improvement: More of the same stuff, more languages and multi-user.

Standards Addressed: See https://www.georgiastandards.org/Pages/Default.aspx

SS3CG1 Describe the elements of representative democracy/republic in the United States.
a. Describe the three branches of national government: executive (president), legislative
(Congress), and judicial (Supreme Court of the United States).
Grade Level/Content Area(s): 3rd grade/Social Studies
Blooms Level of Critical Thinking Required (check all that apply). See
http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Bloom%27s_Taxonomy
Remembering Understanding Applying Analyzing Evaluating Creating
Description of how to implement in the class:

The teacher will introduce the students to the different branches of government using the
BrainPop video Branches of Government to hook the students attention. The teacher will tell the
students that they will be collecting information to write a compare-and-contrast paper on the
three branches of government. Students will be challenged to remember two interesting facts
presented in the video about the branches of government. Once the video is finished, the teacher
will write down each students interesting fact on chart paper under the appropriately marked
section. The class will re-watch the video. This time, each student will be given four sticky notes to
write down more interesting facts they have learned. Once they are finished, the students will put
their sticky notes on the chart paper.

The students will then be released to do more research and write their compare-and-contrast
paper. Once the students have finished their papers, they will be broken up into three different
groups and will create a Facebook account for each branch of government. The students will need
to work together to find pictures, information, birthdates and other information to place in their
Facebook accounts. The finished Facebook profile links will be uploaded to the classroom website
for others to learn from.
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 INSTRUCTIONAL SOFTWARE

* Examples of common instructional models include whole group, teacher-led, student self-paced, small
group, or individual learning activities. Use as many of these descriptors or other descriptors as apply.