Lesson Plans Beta
[This article is for testing a new Lesson Plans Beta. If you are interested in being added to the Beta, email richard@banzai.org]
The Lessons tab provides comprehensive units containing lesson plans, presentations, activities, and assessments. This guide will show you how to navigate the library, utilize the teaching materials, and provide feedback to help us improve.
1. Navigate to the Lesson Library
To get started, click on the Lessons tab (book icon) in the top navigation bar of your dashboard.
2. Find a Unit
On the "Help me find a unit..." page, you can browse available curriculum. Units are organized by topic (e.g., Financial Literacy).
- A unit typically contains 5 to 10 lesson plans.
- Each card displays the estimated time to complete, session length, and grade level.
Click the View button on a unit card (such as "Earning Income") to see the full curriculum.
3. Select a Lesson
Once you open a Unit, you will see an overview of the topic and a list of included lessons. Click View on a specific lesson title (e.g., What is Financial Literacy?) to view its contents.
4. Review the Lesson
The Lesson page provides a minute-by-minute breakdown of the class period.
- Lesson Summary: This outlines the time, activity, and description for each segment.
- Bellringer: Quick introductory questions to engage students.
- Instruction and Discussion: Core concepts to teach.
- Wrap-Up and Assessment: Final thoughts to bring all the concepts together.
5. Access Instructional Materials & Assignments
Scroll down to the Bellringer & Instruction sections to find the resources you need to teach. Toggle between "Slides" (for projecting to the class) and "Teacher Notes" (for your personal guide).']
Use the Assign Activities button to push work to your students.
6. Share Your Feedback
After presenting the lesson, please take a moment to fill out the Lesson Plan Feedback Survey Your input helps us refine our curriculum.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is each lesson designed to last? Most lessons are designed for a 45-minute session, but you can adjust the pacing based on your classroom needs. The "Lesson Summary" table gives a suggested time allocation for each activity.
Where can I find the feedback survey? Here is the link to the feedback survey. Please fill this out to let us know if the specific features (like the Bell Ringer) worked for you. You can fill it out after you have reviewed lesson plans and how you could use them in the future, or after you have integrated them into your class