Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)

Lesson Idea Name: The Great Depression

Content Area: Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 5th grade

Content Standard Addressed: SS5H3.a- Discuss the Stock Market Crash of 1929, Herbert Hoover,
Franklin Roosevelt, the Dust Bowl, and soup kitchens.

Technology Standard Addressed:

3. Knowledge constructor

Selected Technology Tool:

Bubl.us
URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable):

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):

The activity I have planned for the students allows them to choose from a variety of options. I think this is
important for students in the classroom to feel like they have a choice in how they learn and show their work.
They can choose how they would want to find their resources of information, allow them to choose who they
would want to work with and what kind of media they want to use for the assignment. I want students to
have a free range of options on how they learn about The Great Depression, from online resources to
textbook resources. This gives students multiple means of engagement, how they represent their
information, and expression.

Lesson idea implementation:

I want to start by giving the students background knowledge of The Great Depression. Including an article of
keys aspects of The Great Depression. They would unravel an article, highlight key points, things they found
interesting and their opinions on this time in history. Then after they read about The Great Depression, I want
to include a video that students can watch to put some key points into context that the students can also
follow. This video will have pictures, descriptions of the pictures and what different areas in America looked
like during this time in history.
After the students and I have reviewed The Great Depression, I want to give students an opportunity to
create their own concept map of The Great Depression. Instead of doing a concept map on paper students
will have the opportunity to create a concept map on Bubble.us of The Great Depression. This will help
students visually see the key concepts of the Great Depression and they will write descriptions of those
concepts for them to have as a reference. Then will students the chance to go online and research their own
information about The Great Depression. I will also be on standby to answer questions that students have
about the content of the resources they have. After this is done, I then will give students an opportunity to
create a poster (Online or written), a paper (Written or typed) or a PowerPoint presentation about The Great
Depression that they could present to the class and/or turn in as a grade.

Spring 2018_SJB
 Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)
Reflective Practice:
I like the repetition and broad intro I provide as a teacher to the students to give them an idea of the
concepts I want them to take from the lesson. Then giving students a choice of where to look for
information/resources for the content is where I make the impact. Giving students a choice in what they want
to do and how they want to do it. Technology in this lesson plays a key role because the Bubble.us takes
concept maps to a further level when it is online, but it is a reference point in the lesson for students. This
helps students see what they need for their presentation. Essentially, it is just an outline of the content that
students can use to further create their product. Technology plays a key role in the second part of the
lesson/activity, but I also provide students a chance to not use technology in this last part. Most students
enjoy getting creative with projects and PowerPoints are always a great tool for students to create a
presentable product. I have given students various ways to supplement their learning. I do think this lesson is
very student based after I teach the concept. When students have choices in the classroom there is more
engagement, and this is how they can have the content stay with them.
To further extend the lesson, I could give students an opportunity to add key people during this time in
history that they think made a effective positive impact during The Great Depression. How they helped, who
was president at the time and laws made to fix the issues caused by The Great Depression.

Spring 2018_SJB