PebbleGo! and Easy Blogger Jr.
Anne Marie Lanning November 30, 2014
PebbleGo! and Easy Blogger Jr. Unit Plan Overview with Lesson Plans attached
Unit: Fun with Information Text and Pictures and Words Tell a Story
Purposes: The purpose of this unit is for students use online tools/iPad applications to give opinions about text and then connect it to the nonfiction research online.
Materials/Resource:
iPad
Easy Blogger Jr. application
Desktop computer
PebbleGo! Website
Essential Questions:
Students Prior Knowledge
Students have been using both the Easy Blogger Jr. application and PebbleGo! Website this school year. Students will use these tools to share opinions about texts with classmates and then using a fiction text find an animal that want to research using the PebbleGo! website. This Unit is part of the larger district Reading and Writing Curriculum, Reading- Unit 3: Fun with Informational Text and Retelling and Writing- Units 2/3: Pictures and Words Tell a Story
Lessons (see attached)
1. Students will use the Easy Blogger application on the iPad to respond to a text with a picture.
2. Students will use the Easy Blogger application to respond to a specific book as a class.
3. Students will compare and contrast their responses to a specific book.
4. Students will research a specific animal of their choice, they can use animal from the fictional text of the previous lessons.
5. Students will share their animal research from the PebbleGo! Website on the Easy Blogger Jr. application. Students will also compare and contrast their findings from the fiction and nonfiction text.
Using Easy Blogger Jr. Lesson Plan #1
Description of Lesson:
This is an introductory lesson to show students how to use the Easy Blogger Jr. app and post it to the classroom blog. This lesson will fit into Kindergarten Language Arts (both reading and writing) Lesson on giving an opinion based on the Common Core.
Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are writing about and state an opinion or preference about the topic or book (e.g., My favorite book is...).
Lesson Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Select the Easy Blogger Jr. app to begin to create their first blogging entry
2. Select a title for their entry (Title of the Book)
3. Take a picture of the book cover or their drawing related to the book
4. Post their blog entry on the classroom blog
Prior Knowledge Necessary for Task:
Students should be able to use the classroom iPad as well as a “Just Right” book to use for their blog entry.
Web Literacies Addressed:
· Locating or finding desired information within search results
· Synthesizing information found from online resources through multiple searches
Remixing
· Sharing a resource using an appropriate tool and format for the audience
Infrastructure
· Moving the place(s) where your data is hosted on the web
· Exporting and backing up your data from web service
Materials Needed:
· Classroom iPad with Easy Blogger Jr. installed
· Book for their entry
Lesson Format:
The teacher will explain how to use the application on the first day of the lesson. Students will view a screencast showing various screenshots of posting a photo blog entry from beginning to end. If time allows students will begin to create their own blog entry. Students can work independently or with a group to complete their blog entry; students who will be working in small groups will have no three students in each group. The teacher will be there to guide students either using the app or reminding them about the steps they need to complete to post their blog entry.
Extensions:
Students who have mastered the above lesson objectives with taking a photograph of the cover of the book or their drawing will then get a chance to create another blog entry as a video or typed response.
Resources:
Llama Llama and the Bully Goat, Bullying Lesson with Students Response Using Easy Blogger Jr. Lesson Plan #2
Description of Lesson:
This a continuing lesson for students using the Easy Blogger Jr. app. Students will post their response to the story Llama Llama and the Bully Goat. Students will have the choice of responding to the story by drawing a picture, recording a video sharing their thoughts about the story, or typing a response. This lesson will fit into Kindergarten Language Arts (both reading and writing) Lesson on giving an opinion based on the Common Core.
Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are writing about and state an opinion or preference about the topic or book (e.g., My favorite book is...).
Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to narrate a single event or several loosely linked events, tell about the events in the order in which they occurred, and provide a reaction to what happened.
Lesson Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Select the Easy Blogger Jr. app to create a response to the story, Llama Llama and the Bully Goat
2. Select a title for their entry, their response to the Llama Llama and the Bully Goat
3. Take a picture of their response to the story, either a drawing, recording a video sharing their thoughts about the story, or typing a response.
4. Post their blog entry on the classroom blog
Prior Knowledge Necessary for Task:
Students should be able to use the classroom iPad as well share a response to the story, Llama Llama and the Bully Goat to use for their blog entry.
Web Literacies Addressed:
Sharing
- Sharing a resource using an appropriate tool and format for the audience
Collaborating
· Choosing a Web tool to use for a particular contribution/collaboration
Community Participation
- Encouraging participation in web communities
- Using constructive criticism in a group or community setting
Privacy
- Managing the digital footprint of an online persona
- Identifying and taking steps to keep important elements of identity private
Materials Needed:
· Classroom iPad with Easy Blogger Jr. installed
· Llama Llama and the Bully Goat by Anna Dewdney
Lesson Format:
The teacher will read aloud the story, Llama Llama and the Bully Goat by Anna Dewdney to the class, stopping throughout asking students questions about the text. After the story is finished students will continue to have a discussion about bullying and how it makes them feel, etc. Teacher will record their responses on the chart paper to remind students throughout the year the way bullying makes them feel, etc. Students will then respond to the story. Students will be able to write about their favorite part, the way the story made them feel, or reasons why people shouldn’t bully each other. Students will then be able to share their response on the classroom blog using the Easy Easy Blogger Jr. application. Students can work independently or with a group to complete their blog entry. Students who choose to work in a group with no more than 3 people. The teacher will be there to guide students either using the application or reminding them about the steps they need to complete to post their blog entry.
Extensions:
Students who have created a blog entry about Bullying will be able to share their entry with other kindergarten students to continue the discussion about bullying. Students will also be able to read the story Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes and compare the two stories about bullying. They will also be able to share their comparison on the classroom blog using the Easy Easy Blogger Jr. application.
Resources:
Dewdney, Anna. Llama Llama and the Bully Goat. New York: Viking Juvenile, 2013. Print.
PebbleGo! Fiction Compare/Contrast Lesson Plan #3
Description of Lesson:
This a continuing lesson for students using the Easy Blogger Jr. app. Students will post their response to the story The Recess Queen. Students will have the choice of responding to the story by drawing a picture, recording a video sharing their thoughts about the story, or typing a response. Students will then compare two fictional texts, Llama Llama and the Bully Goat and The Recess Queen. This lesson will fit into Kindergarten Language Arts (both reading and writing) Lesson on researching and giving information about a topic based on the Common Core.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.7
Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of books by a favorite author and express opinions about them).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.8
With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
Lesson Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Select the Easy Blogger Jr. app to create a response to the story, The Recess Queen
2. Select a title for their entry, their response to the The Recess Queen
3. Take a picture of their response to the story, either a drawing, recording a video sharing their thoughts about the story, or typing a response.
4. Post their blog entry on the classroom blog
Prior Knowledge Necessary for Task:
Students should be able to use the classroom desktop computer to research on PebbleGo! as well as complete the PebbleGo! Reading Response Sheet and Compare and Contrast Worksheet.
Web Literacies Addressed:
Connecting
Sharing:
· Sharing a resource using an appropriate tool and format for the audience
Collaborating:
· Choosing a Web tool to use for a particular contribution/collaboration
Community Participation:
· Encouraging participation in web communities
· Using constructive criticism in a group or community setting
· Configuring settings within tools used by online communities
Exploring
Search:
· Locating information, people and resources via the web
· Using keywords, search operators, and keyboard shortcuts to make web searches more efficient
· Locating or finding desired information within search results
· Synthesizing information found from online resources through multiple searches
Materials Needed:
· Classroom Desktop Computer/PebbleGo! website
· PebbleGo! Reading Response Sheet
Lesson Format:
Students will have already navigated and explored PebbleGo! prior to this lesson. After students login into the PebbleGo! website they will need to choose the Animal icon on the Home Page. After students choose the Animal icon they will be brought to the Animal Home Screen, where they will choose Mammals, and then Bears. After students choose a bear they will then be brought the Bear subscreen, there students will get to choose the bear (Black Bears, Giant Pandas, or Grizzly Bears) they would like to research. Students will then click through each tab listening to facts about the animal. As they listen they will draw the fact they hear. Example, if they choose Grizzly Bear, under habitat section (a house icon to help students) students will draw a den in a cave. After students complete the PebbleGo! Reading Response sheet students will complete Compare and Contrast Worksheet. After they complete the Compare and Contrast Worksheet they will Turn and Talk with a partner and share what they learned about their animals. Both students will get a turn to be the speaker and listener as they turn and talk. After students complete both the Reading Response sheet and Compare and Contrast Worksheet they will handle in their completed work to the teacher.
*Lesson #5- PebbleGo! Fiction/Non-Fiction Research will be completed in small group.
Extensions:
Students who have completed the PebbleGo! Reading Response with drawings will get a chance to try and write the words instead of just drawing their findings. If time allows students will get to share their findings with their classmates as a whole group instead of just Turn and Talk.
PebbleGo! Reading Research Lesson Plan #4
Description of Lesson:
This is a continuing lesson for students using the PebbleGo! website. Students will choose an animal that they want to research/learn more about and fill out a Reading Response sheet. On the sheet they will write/draw the animal they choose, the animal habitat, what they eat, their life cycle as well as any fun facts from leveled text/video that they listened to and watched. Students will have to complete two exit slips, first they share with classmates what they have learned using their Reading Response sheets and second, they will have to fill out a Literacy Workstation exit slip rubric as a self evaluation tool. This lesson will fit into Kindergarten Language Arts (both reading and writing) Lesson on researching and giving information about a topic based on the Common Core.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.7
Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of books by a favorite author and express opinions about them).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.8
With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
Lesson Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Use the PebbleGo website to learn more about an animal of their choosing
2. Respond to what they listened to/watched about an animal by filling out a PebbleGo! Reading Response
3. Share what they learned about an animal with their classmates using Turn and Talk
4. Evaluate their learning by completing the “What did you do at Literacy Workstations Today” Self Assessment Rubric
Prior Knowledge Necessary for Task:
Students should be able to use the classroom desktop computer to research on PebbleGo! as well as complete the PebbleGo! Reading Response Sheet and Literacy Workstation Self Assessment Rubric.
Web Literacies Addressed:
Connecting
Sharing:
· Sharing a resource using an appropriate tool and format for the audience
Collaborating:
· Choosing a Web tool to use for a particular contribution/collaboration
Community Participation:
· Encouraging participation in web communities
· Using constructive criticism in a group or community setting
· Configuring settings within tools used by online communities
Exploring
Search:
· Locating information, people and resources via the web
· Using keywords, search operators, and keyboard shortcuts to make web searches more efficient
· Locating or finding desired information within search results
· Synthesizing information found from online resources through multiple searches
Materials Needed:
· Classroom Desktop Computer/PebbleGo! website
· PebbleGo! Reading Response Sheet
· “What did you do at Literacy Workstations Today” Self Assessment Rubric
Lesson Format:
Students will have already navigated and explored PebbleGo! prior to this lesson. After students login into the PebbleGo! website they will need to choose the Animal icon on the Home Page. After students choose the Animal icon they will be brought to the Animal Home Screen which lists animals, animal habitats, behavior, and classification. After students choose an animal they will then be brought the Animal subscreen, there students will get to choose the animal they would like to research. Students will then click through each tab listening to facts about the animal. As they listen they will draw the fact they hear. Example, if they choose Frog, under habitat section (a house icon to help students) students will draw a pond. After students complete the PebbleGo! Reading Response sheet students will Turn and Talk with a partner and share what they learned about their animals. Both students will get a turn to be the speaker and listener as they turn and talk. After students have turned and talked they will then fill out “What did you do at Literacy Workstations Today” Self Assessment Rubric. This rubric helps students remain accountable at their workstation (Computer Corner-PebbleGo!). After students complete both the Reading Response sheet and Self Assessment Rubric they will handle in their completed work to the teacher.
Extensions:
Students who have completed the PebbleGo! Reading Response with drawings will get a chance to try and write the words instead of just drawing their findings. If time allows students will get to share their findings with their classmates as a whole group instead of just Turn and Talk.
PebbleGo! Fiction/Non-Fiction Research Lesson Plan #5
Description of Lesson:
This is a continuing lesson for students using the PebbleGo! website. Students will choose a bear that they want to research/learn more about and fill out a Reading Response sheet. On the sheet they will write/draw the animal they choose, the animal habitat, what they eat, their life cycle as well as any fun facts from leveled text/video that they listened to and watched. Students will then compare a fictional bear that they had previously read/listened. This lesson will fit into Kindergarten Language Arts (both reading and writing) Lesson on researching and giving information about a topic based on the Common Core.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.7
Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of books by a favorite author and express opinions about them).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.8
With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
Lesson Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Use the PebbleGo website to learn more about an animal of their choosing
2. Respond to what they listened to/watched about an animal by filling out a PebbleGo! Reading Response
3. Compare and contrast what they learned about real bears versus what they have learned about real bears versus fictional bears
4. Share their learning with their Turn and Talk partner about what they learned about real bears versus fictional bears
Prior Knowledge Necessary for Task:
Students should be able to use the classroom desktop computer to research on PebbleGo! as well as complete the PebbleGo! Reading Response Sheet and Compare and Contrast Worksheet.
Web Literacies Addressed:
Connecting
Sharing:
· Sharing a resource using an appropriate tool and format for the audience
Collaborating:
· Choosing a Web tool to use for a particular contribution/collaboration
Community Participation:
· Encouraging participation in web communities
· Using constructive criticism in a group or community setting
· Configuring settings within tools used by online communities
Exploring
Search:
· Locating information, people and resources via the web
· Using keywords, search operators, and keyboard shortcuts to make web searches more efficient
· Locating or finding desired information within search results
· Synthesizing information found from online resources through multiple searches
Materials Needed:
· Classroom Desktop Computer/PebbleGo! website
· PebbleGo! Reading Response Sheet
Lesson Format:
Students will have already navigated and explored PebbleGo! prior to this lesson. After students login into the PebbleGo! website they will need to choose the Animal icon on the Home Page. After students choose the Animal icon they will be brought to the Animal Home Screen, where they will choose Mammals, and then Bears. After students choose a bear they will then be brought the Bear subscreen, there students will get to choose the bear (Black Bears, Giant Pandas, or Grizzly Bears) they would like to research. Students will then click through each tab listening to facts about the animal. As they listen they will draw the fact they hear. Example, if they choose Grizzly Bear, under habitat section (a house icon to help students) students will draw a den in a cave. After students complete the PebbleGo! Reading Response sheet students will complete Compare and Contrast Worksheet. After they complete the Compare and Contrast Worksheet they will Turn and Talk with a partner and share what they learned about their animals. Both students will get a turn to be the speaker and listener as they turn and talk. After students complete both the Reading Response sheet and Compare and Contrast Worksheet they will handle in their completed work to the teacher.
*Lesson #5- PebbleGo! Fiction/Non-Fiction Research will be completed in small group.
Extensions:
Students who have completed the PebbleGo! Reading Response with drawings will get a chance to try and write the words instead of just drawing their findings. If time allows students will get to share their findings with their classmates as a whole group instead of just Turn and Talk.
Lessons Plan Summaries
1. Students will use the Easy Blogger Jr. application on the iPad to respond to text with a picture.
*Students did well with this. Since I don’t have a lot of students who are writers at this point in the school year all were able to respond to the text with a picture, some students added words/sounds to explain their picture/thinking. Technology was able to enhance this lesson by allowing students to respond to the text with a picture and then taking a picture of it and sharing it to the classroom reading blog. Parents enjoyed viewing their responses at home and some used it further the discussion about the story. Students were also able to share their classmate’s responses with each other.
2. Students will use the Easy Blogger Jr. application to respond to a specific book as a class.
*Students read the story Llama Llama and the Bully Goat. This lesson had multiple layers. I choose Llama Llama and the Bully Goat as part of our Red Ribbon Week-To Stop Bullying. Most students were still only able to respond using pictures. I was able to help students write words to explain their thinking as well as help some students “sound out” their words. I added a part having student work together to discuss things that bullies would do vs. what “nice” people would do. This also tied in with our yearlong project with “How to Fill a Bucket," overall it went well. I think the students were able to work together and think about how to be a better classmate by showing less bullying behavior. My students used technology on the smart board by filling out a T-chart on what Bullies Do vs. What “Nice” People do. I have been able to refer to the T-chart each morning during our morning meeting reviewing how to be the best “bucket fillers” we can be! Students also posted their responses about Llama Llama and the Bully Goat to our classroom blog using the Easy Blogger Jr. application as well as the iPad.
3. Students will compare and contrast their responses to a specific book.
*This was the 2nd time that students used a Venn diagram to compare and contrast their thinking. As a class students completed a Venn diagram using Llama Llama and the Bully Goat and The Recess QueenàBoth had a theme about bullying but one book was about talking animals-Llama Llama and the Bully Goat and The Recess Queen was about a Kindergarten aged student bullying other kids at recess. I was able to use the document camera to walk around the room and students told me various points from each book to compare and contrast. I could use their drawing responses to project them for all of the students to see and I was able to help guide to use their drawings to fill in the Venn diagram with their thinking. This was my first time using the document camera but I found it to be a huge help for my students. Some students choose to post their responses to the reading blog. This piece of technology really helped my students showcase their learning.
4. Students will research a specific animal of their choice; they can use an animal from the fictional text of the previous lessons.
*My students choose to research grizzly bears after reading about Berenstain Bears. Overall my students did well. They were able to complete their text response sheet that I had created for PebbleGo! I’m looking forward to them adding words to their research. This was first for my students making the connection between a fictional text that they had read and then “researching” the real life animal as an informational text. One student was able to add (copy) some of the text from the PebbleGo! Grizzly Bear Information. She was so proud of her work I showed the class her completed work using the document camera. She then shared with her classmates how she was to find the information on the PebbleGo! Website and complete her response sheet. Technology empowered her! What a great way for my student to showcase her work to peers as well as providing her classmates some guidance about being a critical researcher!
5. Students will share their animal research from the PebbleGo! Website on the Easy Blogger Jr. application. Students will also compare and contrast their findings from the fiction and nonfiction text.
*The kids did great! They were able to compare the fictional characters of Berenstain Bears and Grizzly bears in a small group with a Venn diagram. I choose to have students complete this lesson in a small group so I was able to monitor their discussion and help provide guidance and support when needed. Some groups needed more guidance and support than others.
These lessons are something that I will continue doing for the rest of the school year and continue to build upon. I’m glad I was able to build this unit for my students to become critical learners and thinkers in Kindergarten. Technology was able to enhance these lessons and gave students the chance to navigate their own learning.
PebbleGo! Reading Response Sheet
PebbleGo! Reading Response Sheet for Writing
“How Did You Do At Literacy Workstations” Self-Assessment Rubric
Compare and Contrast Chart
