Instructional Software
Lesson Idea Name: Understanding Fractions
Content Area: Mathematics
Grade Level(s): Third Grade
Content Standard Addressed: Students will understand fractions by partitioning a whole into equal parts.
They will express the area of each part as a unit fraction of the whole.
Selected Technology Tool: BrainPOP
URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable and goes directly to the lesson):
https://www.brainpop.com/math/numbersandoperations/fractions/
Type of Instructional Software:
X Drill and Practice ☐ Tutorial ☐ Simulation ☐ Instructional Game ☐ e-books/e-references
Features of this software (check all that apply):
X Assessment Monitoring/Reporting
☐ Allows teacher to create customized lessons for students
X Multi-user or collaborative functions with others in the class
☐ Multi-user or collaborative with others outside the class
X Accessible to students beyond the school day
X Accessible via mobile devices
☐ Multiple languages
X Safety, security and/or privacy features
Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy Level(s):
☐ Remembering ☐ Understanding X Applying ☐ Analyzing ☐ Evaluating ☐ Creating
Levels of Technology Integration:
TFrazier, 2021
Instructional Software
X Infusion Level: Students may work at a higher Bloom’s Level, but they do not have any “Voice or Choice”
during the activity and most of the decisions are made by the teacher.
☐ Integration Level: We would like to see ALL lessons/activities reach this level. The project is student-
driven. Students have “Voice and Choice” in the activities, selecting the topic of study and determining the
technology tool to demonstrate mastery of the standard. The teacher becomes more of a facilitator.
☐ Expansion Level: The projects created are shared outside of the classroom, publishing student work and
promoting authorship. This could be reached by showcasing the project on the school’s morning
newscast, posting the project to the classroom blog, or publishing via an outside source.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL): I think that the BrainPOP video I selected is very engaging for students.
BrainPOP using Tim and Moby as engaging characters in each video, and they use humor and fun activities
while teaching topics to students. The video supports the Universal Design for Learning framework by
remaining engaging throughout the whole video and using short and simple video clips so that students do
not get distracted. The information that they teach is at the basic level that all students in the selected grade
level will be able to follow along with. BrainPOP also supports UDL because students are able to express their
learning through a virtual quiz or educational game. This gives students the opportunity to choose the way in
which they express their learning while using technology.
Lesson idea implementation: I will begin this lesson by telling students we are beginning to learn about
fractions. I will ideally introduce this lesson with the BrainPOP video that explains fractions – shown on a
smartboard or large screen to the class as a whole. The video is about 4 minutes long. After watching the
video, I will allow time for questions and discussion with my students. Next, I will give students an option of
how they would like to assess their learning. On a provided iPad or tablet, students will choose to take the
review quiz on BrainPOP or play the educational game “Satisfraction” provided by BrainPOP. To extend
student learning, I will provide a lesson on fractions that involves students creating their own fractions with
manipulatives and describing to their classmates their understanding of how one whole is separated into
equal parts. We will discuss real life examples of fractions, such as pizza. I will provide feedback to students by
making checklists and observing their learning. To conclude this lesson, I would like for students to create an
assigned fraction, such as 1/3 and make an illustration to show their fractions in a creative way.
Reflective Practice: I think the activities I have created impact student learning by introducing a new topic
and using the Universal Design for Learning my implementing a new software – BrainPOP. Students are also
using iPads or tablets to assess their learning through a game or quiz, with the option of which one they
prefer.
TFrazier, 2021
