Definition: Closure is the fifth step in writing a strong and effective 8-step lesson plan for elementary school students. After defining the Objective, Anticipatory Set, Direct Instruction, and Guided Practice, the Closure section provides a fitting conclusion and context for the student learning that has taken place.
Closure is the time when you wrap up a lesson plan and help students organize the information into a meaningful context in their minds. A brief summary or overview is often appropriate. Another helpful activity is to engage students in a quick discussion about what exactly they learned and what it means to them now.
Look for areas of confusion that you can quickly clear up. Reinforce the most important points so that the learning is solidified for future lessons.
It is not enough to simply say, "Are there any questions?" in the Closure section. Similar to the conclusion in a 5-paragraph essay, look for a way to add some insight and/or context to the lesson.
Examples:
- Discuss new things that the students learned about plants and animals.
- Summarize the characteristics of plants and animals and how they compare and contrast.
