Technology Integration Unit/Lesson Plan Template (modified from MTS Lesson Plan Template)
Name: Sheryl Larson
Subject area: Language Arts
Grade level: Fifth
Time frame: six class periods
Lesson title: Verbs
Brief lesson/unit Summary/Description
This unit will reinforce students’ understanding of action verbs and how they color the connotation of
communication. They choose or revise for strong, vivid verbs when writing. Within this umbrella, they will
explore literature from unfamiliar cultures. The activities will include Smartboard lessons, peer and self
evaluation/feedback, creation of a character/avatar, and on-line publishing. Twenty-first century skills to be
addressed are global awareness, communication, and creativity. Students will be engaged by the use of
technology while studying what is normally a dry subject.
Essential Questions to guide this unit/lesson and focus teaching and learning:
What are verbs’ purposes in our language?
How can verb choice color the meaning of a sentence?
How would you represent yourself as an avatar?
What information is appropriate and safe to be posted on-line?
State Content Standard/Benchmark addressed http://doe.sd.gov/contentstandards/index.asp
5.W.2.2 (Synthesis) Students can identify and incorporate verbs in the writing process.
5.W.1.1 (Application) Students can compose narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive text of one
paragraph.
State Educational Technology Standard/Benchmark addressed
http://doe.sd.gov/contentstandards/NCLB/index.asp
5.SI.1.2 Integrate personal safety precautions and etiquette while online.
5.CT.2.2 Develop documents in design applications incorporating rich multimedia. (multimedia wiki posts)
6.CT.2.2 Incorporate the use of software features for self-directed learning. (introduction)
21st Century Skill(s)/Theme(s) addressed (see excel spreadsheet)
2.CTP.1 Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively through speaking and writing.
1.GA.3 Understand other nations and cultures, including the use of non-English languages.
2.CI.1 Demonstrate originality and inventiveness in work.
Students will understand (lesson/unit objectives):
Students will identify action verbs while learning about cultures they are not familiar with.
Students will use on-line tools to make better word choice decisions.
Students will peer and self review writing for vivid verbs.
Students will publish writing on the class wiki.
Students will use internet etiquette and safety precautions.
Students will create a multimedia avatar using an on-line program.
Technology & Web 2.0 resources needed (hardware and software, websites)
Smartboard or projector, labtops with wireless connection, class wiki, Voki.com, Dictionary.com
Procedure (learning activities)/ lessons of unit
Introduction:
Period 1
1. Students try to tell about weekend or evening activities without using verbs.
2. Students will view the School House Rock Video.
3. Students will participate in Smartboard activity “Rats- Nouns and Verbs” sort.
4. Students choose a piece from their journals and highlight verbs.
Period 2
1. School House Rock Video – Verbs
2. Divide students into small groups. Each group reads a picture book from diverse cultures, one not
familiar to students. The group makes a list of five verbs used in the story and one thing they learned
about the culture. Share the culture, cultural fact learned, and 1-2 verbs with the large group.
3. Student groups complete a sentence starter with various verbs (4 times), share and discuss how the
meaning can change with the verb that is used. Encourage the use of an on-line thesaurus if needed.
4. Students revise a piece in their journals for more vivid verbs.
Period 3
1. On Smartboard complete “Using Verbs in Poetry” together.
2. Volunteers share revisions to verbs they have made in their journals.
3. Introduce project – students will develop a Voki avatar. They will write about their avatar (including
vivid action verbs.) The project will be posted on the class wiki.
4. Review internet safety of not sharing personal information such as phone number, address, or name.
Discuss that anyone with an internet connection can see their on-line footprint and the consequences.
If students are not registered in Wikispaces with a screen name, model how to become a member and
assist students in signing up. Make sure a list of screen names.
5. Preview my avatar and writing entry on wiki. Demonstrate Voki and review directions.
Period 4
1. Review project rubric and goals.
2. Review Wiki “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” page.
3. Review Voki and directions for useage and downloading to Wiki.
4. Students develop a Voki avatar and download to Wiki.
Period 5
1. Review project goals and rubric.
2. Students write draft of text that describes the actions of their avatar.
3. Pairs conference about writing piece and use the rubric to give feedback on the quality to verbs used.
4. After revising and proofreading, students add the text to the “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” Wiki page.
Period 6
1. If needed, students finish entering text into Wiki.
2. Students respond to each other’s entries.
3. Students complete reflection.
Teacher assess with Vivid Verb rubric.
Strategies that can teach any student
Discussion
Metaphor & Simile
Storytelling
Drawing
Mnemonic Device
Technology
Field Trip
Games
Movement
Music
Visual Aids
Visualization
Graphic Organizers
Project-Based
Instruction
Work Study
Humor
Reciprocal Teaching
Writing
Manipulative
Role Play
Other: questioning
What verb could you add to the sentence to show that the subject is (choose an emotion)?
How does that word choice show emotion?
Assessment Method/s and description
Formative assessment to Language Arts Standards – lists of found verbs, revisions in journal, conference
checklist. Use of vivid verbs in original writing scored using rubric. Students will complete a reflection.
Summative assessment technology standards - Observation will be used to assess the development of an
avatar, sharing appropriate information, and editing of the wiki.
Formative assessment of Twenty-first Skills - Participation and group sharing will be indicator of global
awareness, creativity, and communication. Additionally, a conferencing checklist will be used.
Resource List
Smartboard activities
School House Rock, verbs
Vivid Verbs Rubric
Reflection questions
Directions for Voki
Directions for editing wiki
Notes: (this area may list accommodations, differentiation, as well as other key information that may not fit into
the categories above)
The concept of action verbs is presented in several modalities. Each student is writing at their own level.
Peer Reviewer: Heidi
Comments: