Closure and Anticipatory Set

Closure
Closure is a major step in writing a strong and effective lesson plan. The Closure section provides a fitting conclusion and context for the student learning that has taken place. Closure is the time when the teacher wraps up a lesson plan and helps students organize the information into a meaningful context in their minds. A brief summary or overview is often appropriate, but a teacher can also have a quick discussion about what exactly the students learned and what the information means to them now.

Four ideas for closures:
1) The 3-2-1 approach: students write down three things they learned, two questions they have, and one thing they liked for closing discussion.
2) The Exit Pass: Students must write down questions about what they have learned or a short reflection and must turn this in before exiting the classroom.
3) Cliff Notes, Jr. – Students prepare a “cheat sheet” of what they have learned from the lesson that they feel would be useful for having during a quiz.
4) Choose from a dozen: students each choose two questions from a generic list to respond to about the lesson.

Links on Closure:
http://www2.okbu.edu/academics/natsci/ed/398/set.htm
http://www.edulink.org/lessonplans/closure.htm
http://template.aea267.iowapages.org/lessonplan/
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/writelessonplan-htm


Anticipatory Set
In the Anticipatory Set section, the teacher outlines what they will say and/or present to their students before the direct instruction of the lesson begins.
The purpose of the Anticipatory Set is to provide continuity from previous lessons, if applicable. It is also used to tell the students briefly what the lesson will be about and to gauge the students' level of collective background knowledge of the subject to help inform your instruction. It also let a teacher know the students’ interest level in the lesson and it can briefly expose the students to the lesson's objectives.

Three ideas for Anticipatory Set:
1) Have a short film, PowerPoint, photos, children’s literature, or a guest speaker available to help open your unit.
2) Use a graphic organizer to help students to construct their knowledge about the unit.
3) Have students perform Pair sharing, quick writing, or journaling about what the unit might entail.


Links on Anticipatory Set:
http://www.edulink.org/lessonplans/anticipa.htm
http://www2.okbu.edu/academics/natsci/ed/398/set.htm
http://template.aea267.iowapages.org/lessonplan/
http://www.educationoasis.com/instruction/bt/five_common_mistakes.htm