Abstract
This chapter consists of a clear and direct path to assist educators in creating specific unit and lesson plans. The chapter clearly outlines the differences among unit plans, lesson plans, the use of the three-circle model in agricultural education, and how to evaluate classroom resources. There are templates and examples available for the educator to utilize in planning for their curriculum, program, and resources. If an educator utilizes this chapter effectively, many problems with student engagement, pedagogical understanding, and planning will be eliminated.
TopUnit And Lesson Plans Using Problem-Solving And Inquiry-Based Methods
Differentiate Between Unit and Daily Lesson Plans
Unit plans are longer in length and last between 15-20 days. Unit plans are typically larger in the depth of standards and contain broad concepts. These broad concepts align with national standards and usually help to guide unit plans. In utilizing unit plans, student learning is typically assessed through summative means, or assessment of learning, at the end of the unit. Formative assessment is used throughout the 15-20 days to assist the teacher in forming the lesson content, procedures, or activities (Epps, 2021).
Daily lesson plans are between 1-3 days in length and contain specific and measurable goals for the learner. Learning is usually measured through formative assessments, or assessment for learning, including entry and exit slips, gaming quizzes and polls, kinesthetic activities, and drawings.
Example of a Unit Plan containing Daily Lesson Plans
The individual unit, lasting between 15-20 days, may be entitled Plant Propagation. Plant propagation could be delineated between Asexual and Sexual Propagation. Daily lessons on asexual propagation methods would include 1) Cuttings, 2) Air Layering, 3) Plant Division, 4) Grafting, and 5) Budding. Daily lesson plans on sexual propagation methods would include 1) seed germination, 2) breaking seed dormancy, and 3) transplanting seedlings. The author has included a template to utilize for unit plans later in this chapter along with an example of a detailed unit plan. Please see Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3 (Epps, 2021).
Key Principles of Unit Lesson Planning
As an educator, it is important to align or crosswalk the unit with proper national, state, and local standards. This ensures a standard of accountability within the course and can easily show how electives such as art, humanities, and career tech can work to enhance student knowledge just as math, science, English, or social studies. Standards should include Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), International Society for Technology in Education Standards for Students (ISTE), Common Core Math Standards, National Agricultural Content Standards, State Standards, and Local School Initiative Standards if applicable.
The educator should choose a variety of teaching methods, teaching techniques, and teaching strategies to meet the needs of all learners. This should include diversity through Socio-Economic Status (SES), race, ethnicity, gender identity, learning levels and content matter. Examples of various teaching methods include: The Socratic Method, Problem-Solving Method, Inquiry-Based Learning, Direct Instruction, and Indirect Instruction (Epps, 2021).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Problem-Solving Method: Teaching strategy used to focus on student interests and engagement where the scientific method is used to solve a problem.
Lesson Plans: Road map created by the teacher which clearly details how learning in the time given is to occur along with assessment.
Planning: Essentially a road map that teachers develop for their students to ensure student learning occurs and how it will occur built upon student’s previous knowledge and new knowledge incorporate.
Inquiry-Based Learning: Teaching strategy used to pique student curiosity and developing a method to answer student questions or interests.
Experiential Education: Use of real-world application and experiences in order to teach students.
Unit Plans: Long term, but detailed, road map to ensure a small content is taught by the teacher, assessed, and mastered by the students before moving forward.
Standards: Local, state, or national level of attainment set forth for student achievement based upon a norm.