Enlightenment Lesson Plan for 12th Grade Example Students

Topic: Age of Enlightenment

Objectives & Outcomes

• By the end of this lesson, students will be able to define the Age of Enlightenment and explain its main features and consequences.

Materials

• Access to the internet
• Handouts with information on the Age of Enlightenment
• Pen and paper for taking notes

Warm-up

• Ask students if they are familiar with the term "Age of Enlightenment." Ask them to explain what it is and what it represents.
• Write their answers on the board and discuss as a class.

Direct Instruction

• Distribute the handouts and provide a brief introduction to the Age of Enlightenment.
• Explain that the Age of Enlightenment was a period of time in the 18th century when European intellectuals began to question traditional religious and political authority and seek new ways of understanding the world.
• Emphasize the importance of reason and scientific thought in this period.
• Use the textbook or other source material to provide more information about the Age of Enlightenment, including its key figures and ideas.

Guided Practice

• Divide the class into small groups and assign each group one of the key figures from the Age of Enlightenment (e.g. Isaac Newton, Voltaire, John Locke).
• Have the groups discuss the life and contributions of their assigned figure, using the textbook or other source material as a resource.
• Encourage the groups to use reason and scientific thought in their analysis.
• As a class, discuss the key ideas and contributions of the various figures discussed by the groups.

Independent Practice

• Have students choose one of the key figures from the Age of Enlightenment (e.g. Isaac Newton, Voltaire, John Locke) to research in more detail.
• Have students create a poster or presentation discussing the life and contributions of their chosen figure, using sources from the textbook or other source material.
• Encourage students to use reason and scientific thought in their analysis.

Closure

• Review the key ideas and figures of the Age of Enlightenment, emphasizing the importance of reason, science, and freedom of thought.
• Have students reflect on the importance of these ideals in their own lives and in the broader world.

Assessment

• Evaluate students' written reflections on the importance of the Age of Enlightenment ideals in their own lives and in the broader world.
• Use this assessment to inform a class discussion or a closing speech that sums up the important lessons of the unit.