Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)

Lesson Idea Name: Positive Characters in History

Content Area: Social Studies
Grade Level(s): 1st

Content Standard Addressed:

SS1CG1 The student will describe how the historical figures in SS1H1a display positive character
traits of fairness, respect for others, respect for the environment, conservation, courage, equality,
tolerance, perseverance, and commitment.

SS1H1 Read about and describe the life of historical figures in American history.

1. Identify the contributions made by these figures: Benjamin Franklin (inventor/author/

statesman), Thomas Jefferson (Declaration of Independence), Meriwether Lewis and William
Clark with Sacagawea (exploration), Theodore Roosevelt (National Parks and the
environment), George Washington Carver (science), and Ruby Bridges (civil rights).

Technology Standard Addressed:

3. Knowledge Constructor
Selected Technology Tool:
TimeLine on ReadWriteThink.org
URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable):
http://readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/timeline_2/
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): To make sure that each student can create a TimeLine on the computer
using the tool on the website ReadWriteThink.org I will allow the students to use the Big Keys keyboard for
any of the students that have trouble using their hands.

Lesson idea implementation: As I address this standard I will being the lesson by asking the students if they
know what kindness is and what positive means. I will then announce that we will be completing a timeline
about a positive characters life in American history. I will write on the board who they can pick from and what
that person is known for. (See list above in standard SS1H1) The students will be paired up based on who
they chose from the list of people on the board and then be given a computer to begin their research of that
person’s life timeline.
The students will be given one class day to complete their research of the dates in their person’s life. If the
students need more time I will allow them to work on it during morning work time to get caught up with the
rest of the class. The second day the students will input their research into the time line tool on
ReadWriteThink.org. The students will also include pictures from that time period. Once the students are
Spring 2018_SJB
 Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)
done I will send them to my email to ensure that I have all of their timelines. On the third day the students
will show their classmates what they found and what their favorite thing was about that person. At the end I
will have the students vote on their favorite person. I will send all of the parents the students work through
email. I will also print off a version of some of the timelines and post them on the board outside the
classroom.

Reflective Practice: After designing this lesson idea, I feel like the activities that I have created will impact my
students learning by having them learn about timelines and how important each event is in someone life is.
The students will also be learning how to conduct research using the computer and how to use the timeline
tool. To further extend this lesson I would have the students complete a vote and an explanation on why they
chose their favorite person. This would enable the students to come up with an explanation on their feelings.
The students would be using computers, search engines, timeline application, and possibly the Big Keys
keyboard for a student that may have trouble typing.

Spring 2018_SJB