Online Projects, Collaboration Sites and Publishing Opportunities

Lesson Idea Name: Stars, Stars, and more Stars

Content Area: Science
Grade Level(s): 2
Content Standard Addressed: S2E1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about stars having
different sizes and brightness.

Technology Standard Addressed: 6-Creative Communicator

Selected Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity: National Geographic Kids

URL(s) to support the lesson: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/space/star-parties/#starry-

night.jpg

Describe how you would incorporate an Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity in your
classroom: In my classroom I would incorporate online learning as an introductory and closing exercise to
help students grasp understanding of topics discussed in class. Students will watch videos and read an article
about the topic at hand and will be able to interact with the game and stay focused. After students grasp a
understanding on the topic they will be posting on the class blog to share with classmates what they learned.
Students will take about 30-35 minutes to complete this full lesson and will benefit fully from using
National Geographic Kids. This website is a great way to have fun with the lesson and keep students engaged
and learning the new information. I would also have the students do a project as to where they will track the
stars and draw them every night for 3 nights. Students will then explain their observation in this activity and
post on the blog. Students will use iPhones or iPads in order to visit the National Geographic app and watch
videos about stars and the solar system. My students will use PowerPoint or iMovie to create a film or
presentation to show what they know after the lesson and viewing the online learning program.

What technologies would be required to implement this proposed learning activity in a classroom?
Computer, phone, Ipad, or tablet
Describe how the following features are addressed in this learning experience (note: all of them may not be
addressed in the project, but most should be if you are reaching a high LoTi Level).
a. Collaboration with peers, near-peers, mentors outside their classroom and often beyond their
school: Students can do their Star observations together outside of school.

b. Student-centered learning and knowledge creation (creating original data and or producing original
products as a result of engaging in a project): Students will be in charge of observing the stars of their
choosing writing their observations.

c. Higher-order thinking: Students will think about what they are observing and using deep thought and
analysis to write on the class blog.

d. Students publishing their original work to others who will use/care about their product: Students
publish their work onto the class blog where other students and parents can view it.

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

☒ Remembering ☒ Understanding ☒ Applying ☒ Analyzing ☒ Evaluating ☒ Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level): (Select the best level)

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 Online Projects, Collaboration Sites and Publishing Opportunities
☐ Level 1: Awareness ☐ Level 2: Exploration ☐ Level 3: Infusion ☐ Level 4: Integration
☒ Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Having students observe the stars and reading the articles on National
Geographic Kids is a visual and hearing aid.

Lesson idea implementation and Internet Safety Policies: Students would be posting on the class blog which
is protected as well as parents will sign safety waivers stating that it is okay for students work to be published
on these protected sites.

Reflective Practice: I think that students will be able to connect with their classmates through the blog and
will stay engaged in the lesson. Online learning is a great way to help students understand and I think that
students will really enjoy this lesson and activity.

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