Lesson Plan

• Describe the purpose of DDL and DML statements in SQL.
• Identify common DDL commands (CREATE, ALTER, DROP, TRUNCATE, RENAME) and their impact on database schema.
• Identify common DML commands (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, MERGE) and their impact on stored data.
• Explain why SQL is the industry‑standard language for both DDL and DML across major RDBMS.
• Apply basic DDL/DML statements to create a table, insert data, and retrieve it.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Computer lab with a SQL‑capable DBMS (e.g., MySQL or PostgreSQL)
• Sample database schema handout
• Worksheets with DDL/DML exercises
• Student laptops or lab PCs with a SQL client
• Whiteboard and markers

Begin with a quick poll: who has written a SQL query before? Review that SQL is the language that both defines database structures and manipulates the data within them. Today students will recognise the standard DDL and DML commands and understand why SQL is the universal choice. Success will be measured by correctly classifying commands and writing simple statements.

1. Do‑now (5’) – Students list any SQL commands they know on sticky notes; teacher clusters them into DDL vs DML.
2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Explain DDL concepts and key commands with examples on the projector.
3. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Explain DML concepts and key commands with examples.
4. Guided practice (15’) – In pairs, students write CREATE, ALTER, and DROP statements on a sample database; teacher circulates.
5. Guided practice (15’) – Students write INSERT, SELECT, UPDATE, and DELETE statements to populate and query the table; discuss COMMIT/ROLLBACK.
6. Comparison activity (10’) – Using a handout, students match commands to their category and purpose; quick check for understanding.
7. Exit ticket (5’) – Students write one DDL and one DML command they could use in a real project and explain why SQL is the industry standard.

Summarise that DDL shapes the database schema while DML works with the data, both using the same SQL language across platforms. Invite a few volunteers to share their exit‑ticket examples, reinforcing the industry‑standard point. Assign homework to create a small “Student” table and perform basic DML operations at home.