Lesson Plans for Secondary Social Studies

Looking Ahead Is there a “cookie-cutter” approach to writing lesson plans? What elements do you feel are necessary for you when writing lesson plans? Have any of the provided example lesson plans help? How?

Can You? Explain how effectively planning benefits classroom instruction and learning? Describe what a “good” lesson plan looks like? Identify or describe supplemental resources that improve lesson plans? Think of social studies activities that are engaging and encourage critical thinking at various grade levels?

Do You? Know where to find lesson plan resources using the Internet? Know what lesson plan formats are typically expected of teachers working in your local school district? Understand how to engage multiple learning styles in your lesson plans? Understand different ways to plan for the needs of diverse learners?

Focus Activity Think back about your experiences during your pre- service education. What types of social studies lessons did you typically see in the classroom (if any) or read about in professional journals? Can you remember any really engaging activities? What made these lessons exciting? Share and discuss your experiences with classmates. After a brief discussion, create a list of components you consider essential in a good lesson plan.

Looking Back Effective planning is one of the most important factors in becoming a successful classroom teacher Notice similar elements in the provided lesson plans Utilize a plethora of resources from this textbook other textbooks, the internet, colleagues, etc…

Extension The end of the school year is approaching and you are getting excited about the summer break. As the school day comes to a close you begin cleaning up your classroom, when in walks your principal who informs you that the district superintendent has asked for examples of outstanding lesson plans created by teachers to place on the district website. He explains that these lessons should not only be engaging, but also show productive use of school technology, address multiple learning styles, and accommodate the needs of diverse learners. The principal asks you to submit one of your best lessons for this project.

Extension Create and design a dynamic social studies activity (6-12 grade and topic of choice) that utilizes available technology and is engaging/challenging to all learners. Your lesson plan should have: standards, measurable learning objectives, multiple forms of assessment, be detailed enough that other teachers in the district could implement the lesson in their classrooms. All supported resources should be cited and any original materials needed to implement the lesson provided as attachments.

Self-Test 1. Why is effective planning critical to quality classroom instruction and learning? 2. What would you describe as the characteristics of a “good” lesson plan? 3. What are some examples of supplemental resources that could improve lesson plans?

Self-Test 4. What are the lesson plan expectations and guidelines in your local school district? 5. Why is it important to specifically plan for accommodations of diverse learners in your lessons?

Resources American Memory Learning Page PBS Teacher Source Smithsonian Education page Smithsonian Education page Teachers.net s/ s/