Lesson Plans
The Student Success Center offers lessons plans to support the unique needs of first-year students enrolled in first-year seminar courses. These lessons are designed to strengthen the skills essential for academic success at Temple University, while also fostering collaboration and relationship-building among students.
Sessions
- Navigating the Interpersonal Skills of College: Communication with the greater Temple community is essential to navigate the first year of college. In this session, students will learn to communicate with individuals who support their academic and personal growth. Included in this discussion is an exploration of a resource map focused on accessing campus-based resources.
- Addressing Imposter Syndrome: Imposterism, the feeling of inadequacy and a sense of being a fraud, can impact student success and well-being. Students will discuss imposter syndrome in this session and identify ways to combat the negative effects of this phenomenon. Working together in groups, students will identify their strengths and develop methods to access resources.
- Preparing for a Super-Busy Week: Why does it seem like big assignments are always due on the same day? During this session, students will practice assignment dissection and time allocation through the lens of one “super-busy” week. Utilizing organizational tools, students will plan their week with attention to time constraints, prioritizing tasks, and balancing additional responsibilities.
- Making the Most of Group Work: Group work is an excellent opportunity to practice collaboration skills that are useful in the job place. During this session, collaborative skills like planning, goal-setting, and navigation of conflicts will be addressed. Students will develop their problem-solving skills and apply their knowledge during an in-class activity.
- Self-Advocacy in Action: Self-advocacy is a combination of knowing one’s needs and asserting influence to meet those needs. Self-advocacy applies to academics and everyday decisions. In this session, students will examine four steps to become an effective self-advocate: 1. Identify one’s strengths and areas for support. 2. Locate support in the classroom and college-wide. 3. Communicate support needs. 4.Follow-up often.
- Good Bot, Bad Bot: Ethical Usage of AI - Part 1: AI is a ubiquitous presence in university life. During this session, students will contemplate the ethics of using AI in their daily tasks. Students will review methods in which AI can be used ethically and purposefully to enrich learning. Additionally, the gray areas of AI will be explored when "AI goes on Trial."
- Good Bot, Bad Bot: Ethical Usage of AI - Part 2: In part 2 of the Good Bot, Bad Bot series, students will view AI through the educational lens. Using the ethical arguments from Part 1, students will use Temple's AI policy to judge student and instructor behavior. Also embedded in this session is an “Ask the Experts” activity where Temple Faculty and Staff provide feedback on AI use.
- Finals Prep: In this session, students will get to work! With finals approaching, students will reflect upon their semester and study habits. Metacognition is the star of this session. Students will become experts on proven study techniques and match assessment type with study methods.
Session Formats
Instructors have the flexibility to engage with the session materials in the format that best fits their teaching approach. Options Include:
- Option #1 - Request Lesson Plan Materials - Instructors will receive a lesson plan, a PowerPoint presentation, and student materials. Instructors can present lessons independently in their first-year seminar sections.
- Option #2 - Request Lesson Plan Materials and SSC Peer-Facilitator Support - Instructors will receive a lesson plan, a PowerPoint presentation, and student materials. An undergraduate, SSC Peer-Facilitator will provide support while the instructor presents the lesson. Peer-facilitators can guide small-group activities and monitor student questions throughout the lesson. Peer-facilitators also provide a unique undergraduate perspective.
- Option #3 - Request SSC Peer-Facilitators Present Lesson Materials- Peer-facilitators will visit the first-year seminar class and present the lesson to students. Please note - instructors will be present during the lesson.
- Option #4 - Coordinated First-Year Seminar Courses - Course Coordinators Request Lesson Plan Materials - Course coordinators will receive session materials.