Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)

Lesson Idea Name: Persuasive Writing

Content Area: English Language Arts
Grade Level(s): 4th Grade

Content Standard Addressed: ELAGSE4W1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of
view with reasons

Technology Standard Addressed: 3. Knowledge Constructor

Selected Technology Tool: Bubbl.us

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD9arWXIddM

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): The principle of the Universal Design for Learning addresses the first
tier, representation, through the alternative to visual information offered using the Bubbl.us graphic
organizer. The third tier, engagement, is also represented by the student’s individual choice to decide on their
paper’s topic.

Lesson idea implementation: Students will be introduced to the lesson topic through a video. We will then go
into a discussion about how people have persuaded us to do things in the past, whether it be friends/family
or a commercial from a business. We will talk about strategies we can implement in our writing and how to
structure a persuasive essay. Students will decide on their topic and create their own Bubbl.us graphic
organizer before they begin writing their essay.

After reviewing the student’s Bubbl.us writing outline (formative assessment), the student will be allowed to
move to the writing stage. The final student essays will serve as the summative assessment. The rubric listed
below will help address the student’s positive qualities as a writer and qualities to be improved. The students
will be given 35-40 minutes to brainstorm their topic and create their outlines and 3 days to complete their
essays. The lesson will be concluded by having a student with a highly effective persuasive essay share their
stance and supporting arguments with the class. Students will receive their essays back with a graded rubric
and comments on what they did well and can improve on.

Spring 2018_SJB
 Beyond-the-Basic Productivity Tools (BBPT)

Reflective Practice: This essay can impact they way students view themselves as writers and develop their
writing skills. To extend this lesson, depending on what the student wrote about, they could present their
paper to the intended audience in hopes of making real-world change. For instance, if a student wrote to the
cafeteria to persuade them to add another flavor of juice, the student can present their paper to the
cafeteria’s manager. Bubbl.us would be effective as a study tool for other content areas as well.

Spring 2018_SJB