Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Sociology
Lesson Topic: Theories about the role of education
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the main functionalist, conflict, and interactionist perspectives on the role of education.
  • Explain how each theory accounts for social cohesion, inequality, and classroom interaction.
  • Compare the strengths and limitations of the three perspectives.
  • Apply the theories to evaluate education policies or real‑world examples.
  • Analyse how teacher expectations and cultural capital influence student outcomes.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen for slides/diagrams
  • Handout summarising the three perspectives and key theorists
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Printed case‑study excerpts for group analysis
  • Sticky notes for labeling activity
  • Access to an online video clip on the Pygmalion effect (optional)
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll: “Why does society invest in schooling?” Capture ideas, link them to prior knowledge of social institutions, and outline today’s success criteria – students will be able to identify, compare, and apply three major sociological perspectives on education.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students list reasons education exists; share responses; teacher highlights emerging themes. (5')
  2. Mini‑lecture (15'): Overview of functionalist, conflict, and interactionist perspectives with key theorists, using a Venn diagram. (15')
  3. Group analysis (20'): Small groups examine a case study, decide which theory best explains the situation, and prepare a brief justification. (20')
  4. Gallery walk & whole‑class discussion (10'): Groups post findings; class discusses strengths and limitations of each perspective. (10')
  5. Application activity (15'): Individually evaluate a current education policy (e.g., standardized testing) through the three theoretical lenses; write a short paragraph. (15')
  6. Check for understanding (5'): Quick quiz/exit ticket with three multiple‑choice items covering key concepts. (5')
Conclusion:
Recap the three perspectives and their explanatory power, then ask students to write one sentence on which theory they find most persuasive for today’s policy example. Collect the sentences as an exit ticket and assign a brief homework: find a news article about education and annotate it using the three sociological lenses.