Padlet

Introduction

"As a future educator, I chose Padlet as the core technology for this lesson because of its versatility and ability to engage learners in collaborative, creative, and reflective practices. Specifically tailored for the outcome IN2.1 ('Examine how the local community meets the needs and wants of its members'), Padlet enables students to visualize the interdependence within a community. Unlike traditional tools, Padlet supports multiple formats—text, images, videos—allowing students with diverse learning styles and abilities to participate fully. Additionally, its interactive and user-friendly interface fosters a dynamic and inclusive learning environment, making it ideal for Grade 2 students."

One of the things I love about Padlet is how inclusive it can be. Not every student feels comfortable speaking up in front of the class, but Padlet provides a space where everyone’s voice can be heard. I also think it’s fantastic for keeping things organized—I can create a Padlet for a specific topic or unit, and it becomes a living, breathing hub of information that we can keep referring back to throughout the term.

It’s also a fun way to encourage creativity. I want my students to feel inspired to think outside the box, and with Padlet, they can share their ideas in different formats that suit them best. Plus, it’s a useful tool for assessment—I can review their posts and get a sense of their understanding or progress. Ultimately, Padlet is one of those tools I plan to use to create a more dynamic, collaborative, and engaging learning environment for my students."

SAMR

Substitution: Students use Padlet (a digital board) instead of paper charts or bulletin boards.
Augmentation: Students add multimedia content to their ideas on Padlet.
Modification: Students upload observations in real-time and provide feedback via comments or likes.
Redefinition: Students collaborate on projects with peers from other schools or countries.

Sections

Students: Suitable for Grade 2 due to its intuitive interface and visual appeal. Its drag-and-drop functionality and multimedia integration accommodate diverse learning styles and abilities.
Ease of Use: Straightforward for teachers and students due to simple setup, pre-made templates and tutorial resources.
Cost: Free version with limited boards. A paid subscription is needed for more features and boards, but the price is relatively low.
Teaching Functions: Range of strategies, such as brainstorming, group discussions, project-based learning, and formative assessment. Encourages active participation and reflective learning.
Interactivity: Promotes high interactivity through posting, commenting, and reacting to one another's posts in real time.
Organizational Issues: Requires stable internet but integrates well into classroom routines.
Networking/Novelty: Networking is supported by allowing collaboration beyond the classroom and boosts engagement due to its novelty.
Security/Privacy: It offers privacy settings controlling who can view and contribute to boards, ensuring student safety. Teachers can moderate content and restrict access to approved participants.

Lesson

NSITEP UBD Lesson Plan

Subject/Grade: Social Studies Grade 2

Lesson Title: Exploring Community Helpers

Teacher: Ms. Caisse

Date: Time required: 2 Periods

Materials/Resources:

· Devices (tablets, chrome books, or laptops)

· Internet connection

· Padlet access (pre-prepared board titled “Community Helpers”

· Community helper images and information sheets

Possible Adaptations/ Differentiation:

· Having EA help students who need extra help

Management Strategies:

· Put hand up

· One, two, three, all eyes on me

Safety Considerations:

· Students are to be seated unless asked to get up

Professional Teaching Goal:

Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

Big Idea: "Community helpers meet the needs of a community, and understanding their roles helps us value their contributions and teamwork."

Outcome: IN2.1: Examine how the local community meets the needs and wants of its members.

Indicator: a) Identify and describe the roles and responsibilities of individuals in the community (e.g., community helpers such as firefighters, teachers, nurses, etc.).

The activities in this lesson plan are designed to achieve the specific learning objective: 'Identify and describe roles and responsibilities of individuals in the community' (aligned with IN2.1). The integration of Padlet directly supports these outcomes by encouraging students to collaborate, think critically, and creatively present their understanding of community helpers through multimedia content, ensuring a deeper engagement with the subject matter.

Learners will know… (Content)

· Leaders in the community and school

· Community Characteristics

· Interdependence

Learners will be able to…. (skill)

· Identify the roles and responsibilities of various community helpers.

· Collaborate with peers to create a digital board showcasing community helpers' contributions.

· Reflect on how these roles contribute to their community.

Stage 2: Determine Evidence for Assessing Learning

Assessment Strategy (Formative and/or Summative)

Formative Assessment: Observe group work, Padlet contributions, and discussion participation.
Summative Assessment: Evaluate the content and creativity of each group’s Padlet posts and their ability to present and reflect on their topic.

Stage 3: Learning Plan

Prior Knowledge

Content: May already have a basic understanding of community helpers through real-life observations (e.g., seeing firefighters, teachers, or doctors in their daily lives).

Skills: Understand how different community helpers contribute to society

Cultural: Diverse roles within the local community and beyond, such as Indigenous community leaders, farmers, or traditional knowledge keepers.

Motivational Set:

Show students a few pictures of community helpers (e.g., firefighter, teacher, nurse, mail carrier) and ask:
"Who are they? What do they do to help us?"

Detailed Learning Plan:

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

Share the lesson's goal: "Today, we’ll work together to learn more about community helpers and their importance."

2. Guided Activity: Exploring Padlet (20 minutes)

Introduce Padlet to the students:
- Show how to add a post, upload an image, or write a short text.
- Briefly explain rules for digital collaboration (e.g., kindness, respect for everyone’s ideas).
Divide students into small groups. Assign each group one community helper.
- Example: Group 1 = Police Officer, Group 2 = Veterinarian, Group 3 = Construction Worker.
Each group uses Padlet to:
- Upload an image or draw a picture of their assigned helper.
- Add at least 3 facts about what their helper does and why it’s important.

3. Collaborative Presentation (15 minutes)

Groups take turns sharing their Padlet contributions with the class.
Encourage other groups to ask questions or add comments to the posts.

4. Reflection and Assessment (15 minutes)

Ask students to individually add a "thumbs-up" reaction or comment on their favorite fact posted on Padlet.

Closure:

End with a class discussion: "What did we learn about our community helpers? How do they help make our community a better place?"

Handout

Student Handout: “Our Community Helpers”

Name: _____________________
Date: _____________________

Instructions:

Explore and Share: Work with your group to learn about your assigned community helper. Use the Padlet board to share your findings.
What to Post:
- A picture or drawing of your community helper.
- At least 3 facts about their job and why it’s important.
Collaborate: Read other groups' posts on Padlet, and write 1-2 kind comments or questions for another group.
Reflect: Write down what you learned about another group’s community helper below:
- Community Helper I learned about: ________________________
- One interesting thing I learned: __________________________

Resources

Learn about Padlet

Introduction to Padlet: Getting started for absolute beginners

Community Helpers Lesson Plan - Grade 2 Social Studies

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