Action Plan Miss Hiba Khan The City School, PAF Chapter Jr. B Section (Jr. IV) Social Studies

Contents Introduction Subject Information My Goals: Aims Objectives Instructional Strategies and Tasks Challenges and their Solutions Timelines: Term timeline Month timeline (Sample) Resources Conclusion

Introduction “Action plan is a well-thought analysis of current practices and formal strategy to make positive change in those practices” (Intel® Teach Program) My action plan focuses on my thought and concept behind teaching the subject of Social Studies, anticipating the challenges and finding the best solution through research by using 21st century skills. It also integrates the modern technology of computer and internet as part of the syllabus.

Subject Information Subject: Social Studies Grade: Jr. IVs Term: 1st Months: August 2011 – December 2011 No. of periods per week: 2 Teaching Resources: Whiteboard Blackboard Worksheets Social Studies Text Book Internet and computer Projects: 3-D model

My Goals “We need to teach the next generation of children from Day One that they are responsible for their lives.” (Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, a psychiatrist) Using the 21st century skils, like Bloom’s Taxonomy, S.M.A.R.T and S.W.O.T, aims(long term goals) and objectives(short term goals) are defined for the subject. The purpose of identifying goals is so that we may be able to understand what we have to achieve at the end of the day. “The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives.” (Robert M. Hutchins)

Aims To enable the students to: Remember their previous knowledge about the subject. Understand the concepts of the world and the universe. Apply their learning's in their daily lives. Analyze and cross-examine the events in the history and how they effect our future. Evaluate observe the unique culture of Pakistan. Create a project that displays their knowledge gained.

Objectives To enable the students to: Learn the importance of rotation and revolution of the Earth around the Sun. Observe the uses of water in their daily lives and learn how to “Go Green” and save water. Study the different modes of transport and communication. List the different professions. Know more about their country and its characteristics. Differentiate among the diversified cultures of each province.

Instructional Strategies and Tasks “The average teacher explains complexity; the gifted teacher reveals simplicity.” (Robert Brault) Instructional Strategies and Tasks I will encourage students to work in teams: pair work and group work. I will give my students research topics to further increase their knowledge. I will plan field trips and excursions to museums, if possible. I will allow my students to learn through games, physical and online. I will give my students projects to make at the end of term to see how they apply their knowledge. I will provide my students an opportunity to “break out of the classroom and wander out onto the information super highway.”

Challenges and their Solutions “Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.” (Colleen Wilcox) As a teacher, we face many challenges daily. It is through sheer sincerity and hard-work that we get through them and manage to deliver our best. Some anticipated challenges and their solutions have been identified by me.

Challenges Solutions Approval from the HM or Principal Will present to them my ideas properly Time constraint Will focus on activities more Student behavior Will try to motivate them Missing resources Will make our own resources Non-availability of internet Give research at home

“More important than the curriculum is the question of the methods of teaching and the spirit in which the teaching is given.” (Bertrand Russell, philosopher) Timeline A timeline helps the teacher plan the lesson in such a way that it is possible to achieve the objectives and keep in mind the time constraint as well. I have made the timeline in two ways: Term Timeline lists the topics according to the month they will be conducted in. Month Timeline lists what are the main objectives for each week. In my action plan I have given the sample month timeline for the month of August.

Term Timeline Transport Communication Our Country Our Past August September October November December The Earth in Space Water and its Uses People and Work Animal Rights Culture of Pakistan

Month Timeline (Sample) MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY WEEK 1 1 2 3 4 5 WEEK 2 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 WEEK 3 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 WEEK 4 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 WEEK 5 27 28 29 30 August Discussing the Solar System Define rotation and revolution Make 3D model of rotation and revolution Know Solstice and Equinox Know the sources of water on Earth Explain the water cycle Write report on water wastage Learn ways to save water Revision Assessment

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” (William Arthur) Resources Intel® Engage Community and Help Guide Our Headmistress Ms. Sadia Aamir and Seniormistress Ms. Salma Sandeela as motivators. Our MTs; Ms. Sidra Mansoor Khan and Sir Zakir Khatib as facilitators. Search engines like Google. Information websites like Wikipedia. Social Studies Textbook by Nicholas Horsburgh. Social Studies Curriculum provided by The City School.

Conclusion “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” (Ignacio Estrada) The child today needs the teacher to be well-prepared in order to prepare him/her for the future life. In order to prepare ourselves, we need to learn, forget and relearn. We need to be – and educationist. “In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work.  It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years.”  (Jacques Barzun)