Authors: Lannie Hisashima, Mykaela Onishi, Elizabeth Lyons-Best
Subject/Grade: Science/4th grade
Instructional Goal: Students will learn about planets in our solar system. They will be able to research an assigned planet and synthesize the information into a poster. They will be able to use the app Space by Tinybop on their iPads to research. They will be able to use Google Drawings on their computers to make a creative poster that includes text and images.
Lesson outline:
“Alright my fourth-grade scientists, as you know for the past few days we have been learning about our solar system and the planets. Remember our planets include: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune! Now, since we have become more familiar with these planets, you all are going to be split into groups to learn more about planets. I will be assigning a specific planet to each group. Then, you and your group will create a Google Drawings poster to present to the class. Each group will be responsible for creating a poster that includes images of your planet as well as at least five interesting facts that you find about your assigned planet!
You will be working with your group to research your assigned planet. On your iPads, you will find a new app called “Space by TinyBop.” In this app, you will be able to explore your planet and find many facts about the planet that you can include in your poster.” (The teacher can project the app onto the board to give the students a virtual tour to familiarize them with the app. The teacher can also go over an example of what their poster should look like in Google Drawings.) “Now, you will be splitting off into your groups to research and create your poster!”
- Teacher will then assign students into groups and let the students know what planet their group will be working on.
- Students will have group work time to collect information from the app and create a poster regarding their planet. The teacher will roam the room to answer any questions and monitor student work time.
Note:
- This research and poster creation may take longer than one class period. Similarly, students will be able to present their poster to the rest of the class during their next science class.
- If the students do not have access to iPads/Chromebooks, they can conduct research through books within the classroom, handouts from the teacher, and other sources.
Student Tech Resources/Tools:
- iPads
- Chromebook
- Space by Tinybop app
- Google Drawings
- Other research material as needed (books, websites, etc.)
How tech resources/tools help students reach their instructional goals: These tech resources help students research and learn about their assigned planet, and organize their research in a comprehensive and visually appealing way.
Sample of a student poster:
Photo Credit: Photo by Guillermo Ferla on Unsplash
This is such a great idea for a classroom! I love that students get to personalize their poster and make it as a group. Great job applying a lesson to technology, I think students would really enjoy it.
Lannie, Mykaela and Elizabeth,
First off kudos for a well-organized post. It gives clear directions for the user.
First thing I did was check out the Space / Tinybop app. Looks like an engaging tool for interactive presentation of information. Google Drawings is a good choice as a space for student to curate their information.
I like that you have directed students to select their most interesting facts about their planet. That gives them the chance to then compare what aspects that they selected.
You might then have them try a “Brainstorm / Group / Label” activity where they compare lists, find ways to group them, then finally decide on a label for each group. See activity #13 here.
Google Drawings works great as a design tool. Lots of space to work and many options for different content – text, images, labels, even videos.