EdPsych and Research

Grade-Level Lesson Plan

Objective: This lesson plan is used to demonstrate that different tools perform different functions just as, I believe, different instructional strategies are appropriate in different situations.

Implementation: This lesson plan involves making "stress pillows" as the pioneer children did. Begin the lesson by placing different materials (i.e., felt, yarn, needles, scissors, markers, etc.) on different tables. Tell the class what they will be doing (see the lesson plan) but that they may only use the materials that are on their table. After some discomfort, ask them why this isn't possible. Then suggest that learning theories and instructional strategies are the same way - one strategy is not appropriate in all situations. Then allow students to make the pillows.

Lesson Plan: adapted from http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=125

Handouts: Pioneer Children