This is a lesson plan using mobile devices to teach author's purpose.

1. DETERMINING THE AUTHOR’S PURPOSE
BY ANGELA GERBER
Mobile Learning Device
Lesson Plan

2. Essential/Driving Questions
 What is the author’s purpose for
writing?
 How can I determine the author’s
purpose for writing?

3. Standards
 4th Grade PA Common Core Standards for English
Language Arts:
 CC 1.2.4 Reading Information Text
 CC 1.3 Reading Literature
 CC 1.5 Speaking & Listening
 Information Literacy Standards:
 Standards 2, 3, and 4
 Technology Literacy Standards:
 Standards 2 and 3

4. Grade Level/Subject/Length
 Grade Level – 4th Grade
 Subject – English Language Arts
 Length – 3 – 5 days

5. Outcome Goals
The students will be able to:
 Name the three variations of an author’s purpose for
writing.
 Read the story “My Brother Martin” and identify the
author’s purpose for writing.
 Pull evidence and examples from the text to prove the
author’s purpose for writing.
 Read a random passage and identify the author’s
purpose, giving text evidence to prove their response.
 Listen to a classmates podcast and determine if their
response matches the author’s actual purpose for writing.

6. Technology Tools
 Cell phone or tablet device
 Apps:
 Nearpod
 iBooks
 Websites:
 Padlet (padlet.com)
 iPadio (www.ipadio.com)
 KidBlog (www.kidblog.org)

7. Activities
 Day 1 & 2:
 Introduction to reasons why author’s write using an interactive
Nearpod lesson.
 As a class, read story, determine purpose and send text
evidence to Padlet board.
 Day 3 & 4:
 Student pairs assigned a passage. Read and determine
author’s purpose.
 Write script about author’s purpose and record using iPadio.
 Day 5:
 Students will post their iPadio podcast link on their blogs.
 Students will respond to at least two peers’ blog posts.

8. Assessment
 Teacher Observation
 Anecdotal records
 Rubric
 Blog Posting & Comments

9. Students without Tech Tools
 If students do not have their own device, they may
use one of the iPads that are stored in our classroom.
 A second option is to share a device with another
student in the classroom who already has one.

10. Management of Tech Tools
 Before Lesson:
 Have devices charged and headphones available
 Have the apps Nearpod and iBooks on their device
 Have Internet/wi-fi access and are able to access the websites for this
lesson
 During Lesson:
 Students will be allowed to keep their devices at their seat. If the
device is being used inappropriately, the teacher will first give a verbal
reminder and then proceed to follow the guidelines of the district’s
acceptable use policy.
 After Lesson:
 Devices that belong to the school will be stored appropriately and
charged.
 All student work will be kept on each individual student’s blog for
evaluation later on.