Return to Social Studies Module Overview

Title:  Planning a Social Studies Lesson

Context:  This module can be completed in one 75-minute class period.  It introduces lesson planning concepts and categories through analysis of a teacher's unit, rather than requiring students to create their own lesson ideas while simultaneously learning the lesson planning framework.  It should be completed before modules and assignments on microteaching and lesson/unit planning.  Addresses INTASC Core Standards, Principles 4.K.3, 6.P.5.  Addresses NCSS Pedagogical Standard 6.

Description:  This module builds upon the first module’s development of the engaged learning concept, and focuses on lesson planning by involving students in analyzing a NCREL Captured Wisdom Scenario, a video/CD-based depiction of a social studies unit called "Trash Talk," with the categories of NCREL's "Lesson Planning Framework."

Learning Goals and Objectives:

• Extend and apply understanding of alternative conceptions of the social studies curriculum through analysis of a video of a social studies unit.
• Gain understanding of the categories of the lesson planning framework.

 View “Trash Talk” CD
 Review FAQ’s for “Trash Talk”
 Study "Lesson Planning Framework" (Participant's Manual, pp. 15-21)

Major Learning Activities:

View NCREL's Captured Wisdom Scenario, "Trash Talk" video/CD (whole class), preparing the class with the following focus questions:

• What were the teacher’s main goals for the unit?
• How do these goals relate to alternative conceptions of the social studies?
• What were the major learning activities?
• What did the teacher assume about prior learning?

What materials and resources were used?
Books and other familiar resources
Community resources
Technology resources
• How did the teacher assess student learning and other outcomes?

Use the “Lesson Planning Framework” to address the other planning categories not discussed above.

Assessment:

The performance assessment for this lesson will be based on the whole group discussion, and success will be judged based on:

• The extent to which the students were able to identify specific examples of the different components of the lesson planning framework

• NCREL's Captured Wisdom Scenario, "Trash Talk" video/CD
• NCREL's Learning With Technology:  Participant's Manual, pp. 15-21