Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 18/01/2026
Subject: Sociology
Lesson Topic: Influences on the curriculum
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the major political, economic, social, religious, global, technological, and professional influences on school curricula.
  • Analyse how each influence can shape curriculum content, delivery, and assessment.
  • Apply sociological theories (functionalism, Marxist, feminist, cultural capital) to critique the fairness of curriculum decisions.
  • Evaluate real‑world examples (e.g., PISA, STEM funding) and suggest improvements.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and laptop
  • PowerPoint slides summarising the influences
  • Handout with the summary table of influences
  • Printed case‑study excerpts
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Sticky notes for group work
 Introduction:
Imagine walking into a classroom where the subjects you study are decided not just by teachers but by politicians, businesses, and global trends. Review what you already know about the curriculum as a set of knowledge, skills, and values. By the end of the lesson you will be able to identify the key influences, use real examples, and apply sociological theories to evaluate them.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students list three things that influence what they learn at school; share briefly.
  2. Mini‑lecture (15'): Overview of the seven influences with PowerPoint slides.
  3. Group analysis (20'): Each group receives a case study (e.g., STEM funding, PISA results) and completes a mini‑table linking influence, actors, and impact.
  4. Theory application (15'): Quick discussion linking group findings to functionalism, Marxist, feminist, and cultural‑capital perspectives.
  5. Whole‑class debrief (10'): Groups present key points; teacher synthesises.
  6. Exit ticket (5'): Write one way the curriculum could be made more equitable.
Conclusion:
We have revisited the major forces shaping curricula and examined how sociological lenses reveal hidden biases and power relations. Collect the exit tickets and remind students that their homework is to research a recent curriculum change in their own country and explain which influences drove it. This will reinforce today’s analysis and prepare them for the next lesson.