Challenge: Lessons Redefined (SAMR)

By Marsha Scott

Two SAMR lessons:

• 2nd grade “Water Detectives”
• 5th grade Opinion Writing

What did you create, and why?

I created SAMR lessons using Kahoot.it and Google drawings with English language learners. In the first lesson, I developed a Kahoot game with second graders. Students read the story, “Water Detectives,” an informational text on saving water. Usually after each unit, I quickly review the story, vocabulary words, and skills before the test. For this challenge, students created questions from the story and then I typed the questions into Kahoot. (game pin #857793). Writing questions from the text challenged students and it also helped students pay attention to details.

For the second SAMR lesson, I used Google drawings and created a template for 5th grade ELL students. At the beginning of the lesson, students used Google docs to write an opinion piece on whether zoos protected or harm animals. After students’ submitted their first draft, I noticed most of the pieces were either one paragraph or two sentences. My building coach suggested using Google drawings to break up the writing by using text boxes. Below is an example of one textbox:

What went well for you?

The second grade lesson using Kahoot went well because students were actively involved with writing the questions. It assessed their understanding of the story and students loved seeing their questions “in the game.” With 5th graders, using Google drawing helped them to organize their writing pieces by first using the textboxes and then copying them into Google docs.

What was challenging?

Teaching the 5th grade students to copy the text from Google drawings into Google docs to form paragraphs was a challenge.

What did you enjoy?

For the second grade lesson, I enjoyed students trying to create “challenging” questions to stump their peers. Now students request playing Kahoot for every story that we read. I enjoyed using other Google tools to support the learning of my 5th grade ELL.

What ideas do you have for using this tool with your students, grade level, staff or to communicate with families?

I would encourage other teachers to become familiar with the SAMR model and find ways to integrate technology into their lessons.The SAMR Observation Tool helped to determine ways to integrate technology.