Instructional Software

Lesson Idea Name: Plants vs. Animal cells

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

Content Standard Addressed: S5L3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to compare and
contrast the parts of plant and animal cells.
c. Construct an explanation that differentiates between the structure of plant and animal cells.

Technology Standard Addressed:

Selected Technology Tool: Brain Pop (Website), Cell World (APP), Cell Structure (APP)

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

https://www.brainpop.com/health/geneticsgrowthanddevelopment/cellspecialization/

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):

Brain Pop
• Allows both audio and visual learners opportunities with the material
• Multiple language options are available for students
• With the use of the play back button students are allowed multiple times to fully comprehend the
material
Cell World
• This allows students who with audio needs the option of the information to be read to them
• Students can play back the information as much as they need
• Students have the ability to interact with the material
Cell Structure

Spring 2018_SJB
 Instructional Software
• Allows students the ability to take their time with the information
• Provides visuals for students to connect names with images
Lesson idea implementation:
The teacher will introduce the project that the students will be working on and allow the students to pick one
partner to work with teacher discretion if they don’t believe the students will work proficiency together. Once
the students are in their pairs the teacher will pull up Brain Pop and have the students watch the video, Cell
Specialization. After watching the video, the teacher will explain in more detail what the students will be
working on. The project itself is a way for the students to demonstrate their understanding of the differences
and similarities between plant and animal cells. The students will use Brain Pop, and the two other apps to
research and then thy will decide on how they would like to present the information to the class.
During the independent class time the students will be able to work on their projects as a pair and ask
questions that they might come across. The students will be allowed full use of whatever technology they
want as well as any material they might need. Ideas for ways the students will be able to display information
will be; self-made diagrams, PowerPoints, videos, etc. Because this will be a multiday project and the use of
instructional software will be in use, students will be able to do some of the work at home over online
communication.
On the final day of this project students will be presenting what they have learned about both the animal and
plant cells, presenting their projects to their class, and listening for any facts that they might have missed in
their own projects. As the groups present the teachers role will be to call on the group that goes next and
grade them based off a scoring sheet that the teacher will make. Once every pair has presented the teacher
will close this lesson with a group talk where a few students will share what they thought was the most
interesting fact.
Reflective Practice:
I think something like this activity could show students that Brain Pop is a great educational tool that will be
able to help in the future if they ever need some type of introductory to a topic. Extending this lesson to a
higher order would require more high-tech tools such as an electronic microscope, live plants, and check cells
to view.

Spring 2018_SJB