At the beginning of EDUC-357, we were asked to design a long range plan for a Social Studies unit for any grade level we wanted. I chose to focus on 6th grade Social Studies, particularly the ancient Greek unit. In this long range plan, we were asked to include a list of resources that come with the textbook we'd use, strategies that we'd incorporate to increase effectiveness (for both students and teacher), supplementary literature that could be pulled in, and community or cultural projects that could be integrated into the unit. So not only are we focusing on a Social Studies unit of an ancient civilization, but we are incorporating interdisciplinary elements, but we are also focusing on other developing skills.

This specific assignment was designed to fulfill this particular pedagogy. There are different elements that we are asked to think about and incorporate into the long range plan which could be utilized on other long range plans (and even in individual, day-to-day lesson plans). This long range plan includes different types of activities that include 21st Century Skills, technology, and that follow the standards. Also within this long range plan, we mapped out what the entire year would look like in terms of lessons and their progression, when in the year the units would occur, and where the leeway room would be in case of other school-related interruptions like tournaments, days off, field trips, and so on.

Thank God for a textbook and other long range plans designed by veteran teachers, otherwise I would have no idea where to start, what to teach when, and what resources are available besides my knowledge and the textbook. This entire process seems straightforward and can be done pretty quickly, but incorporating technology, differentiation and interdisciplinary elements along with thinking about adding fun elements can make this process a lot harder and longer, so it is better to start thinking about all of this way in advance. The next step that I need to think about, or at least address in the next draft of this plan is assessment and reteaching strategies if necessary.