Unit+Plan+Opening+Lesson+Outlines

The opening lesson plan in a unit (or "anticipatory set") can be done several ways:

1. Show students an object, photo, painting, or other type of art, and have them comment on it. Ask them to guess the cause of it. Explain briefly what it is, and that they are going to learn about it in the unit.

2. Read an appealing children's book about the topic. Have students recall what was read, and then tell them that they are going to learn more about it OR read a chapter book and stop right before the excitement.

3. KWL chart - use sticky notes, chart paper, Word, or Smartboard make pictures and/or words in the K and W column work in a large group or have the students make their own

4. Present a problem to solve, such as "What would you take with you on the Oregon trail?", then explain that they will be able to answer this question after learning about it in the unit.

5. Present a perspective, such as "How do you think the farmers from Oklahoma felt during the Dustbowl?," then explain that they will learn more about what and why people felt and what they did about it.

6. Show them an example of a project that they will be doing at the end of the unit, and explain that they will be learning how to make the project themselves.

7. Ask them your Big Question.

8. Show a short video clip that introduces your topic.

9. Dress up like a person from that time and tell them some things they'll be learning (in character).

10. Provide a snack from the time period, and discuss why you are serving that food.