Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)

Lesson Idea Name: Living and Nonliving Things

Content Area: Science
Grade Level(s): Kindergarten

Content Standard Addressed:

SKL1: Students will sort living organisms and non-living materials into groups by observable physical
attributes. a. Recognize differences between living organisms and non-living materials

Technology Standard Addressed: 3 – Knowledge Constructor

Selected Technology Tool: Popplet

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable): http://popplet.com/app/#/4917438

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):

Popplet is a web-based mind-mapping tool that can be accessed on any computer that has Internet. This is a
great tool that allows students to be able to share their work with others and their parents at home. Popplet
is also a great tool for visual learners.

Lesson idea implementation: 30 minutes

To begin the lesson, the teacher will first read “Living and Nonliving Things” by: Kevin J. Kurtz to introduce the
topic of living and nonliving things. This will engage the students and grab their attention for the lesson. After
reading the book to the students, the teacher will present the Popplet mind-map of living and nonliving
things. This is a great tool to help the students visualize living and nonliving things side-by-side into two
different categories. The teacher will ask the students why a dog, tree, and clownfish are considered living
things and vice versa with the nonliving category.

After reviewing the Popplet mind-map, to conclude the lesson the teacher will open a blank Popplet on the
Smart Board/Promethean Board and have the students call out things that are living and things that are not
living and have the students sort them accordingly in the mind-map from their ideas. Popplet is a great way to
inform learning of living and nonliving things because it presents the information to the students in a pleasing
and categorical way.

Reflective Practice:
I think Popplet is an excellent tool to use to teach the standard for living and nonliving things. The mind-
mapping tool clearly shows the two categories of living and nonliving things to see for the students and also
always them to be able to add on their own ideas if wanted. To further extend the lesson, I could have the
students create their own living and nonliving things Popplet.

Spring 2018_SJB