Lesson Plan

Session 1 Lesson Plan

Introduce students to the purpose and key components of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) through direct instruction and an interactive sorting activity, enabling them to identify and understand each part of their IEP.

Understanding their IEP empowers students to actively participate in their transition to middle school, recognize their strengths and supports, and build self-advocacy skills early.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review Materials and Prepare Sorting Activity

10 minutes

Step 1

Activate Prior Knowledge

3 minutes

Step 2

Direct Instruction: IEP Overview

12 minutes

Step 3

Hands-On Sorting Activity

10 minutes

Step 4

Independent Reflection

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Understanding Your IEP

Welcome students! Today we’re starting Session 1 of our mini-unit: Understanding Your IEP. I’ll introduce what an IEP is and its key parts. Then you’ll get to practice organizing IEP components.

Session Objectives

Read objectives aloud and confirm students understand what they’ll learn today.

What is an IEP?

Ask: “Has anyone heard of an IEP before?” Briefly note any responses before defining.

Why IEPs Matter

Discuss: “Why might a plan like this be important for you?” Encourage 1–2 students to answer.

Key Parts of Your IEP

Introduce the four main sections we’ll explore. We’ll sort examples into these categories later.

Part 1: Strengths

Explain part 1. Share an example (e.g., “Good reader” or “Great at drawing”). Ask students to think of one strength.

Part 2: Goals

Explain part 2. Provide an example goal (e.g., “Read 50 words per minute”). Ask students to think of one goal.

Hands-On Sorting Activity

Explain the sorting activity steps. Remind students to discuss within their group and be ready to share.

Worksheet

Activity

Lesson Plan

Session 2 Lesson Plan

Guide students to locate and interpret their own IEP sections, complete a mapping worksheet, and practice self-advocacy through role-play, reinforcing their ability to use their IEP supports.

Helping students understand and use their personalized IEP fosters independence and confidence as they transition to middle school and self-advocate for needed supports.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Space

10 minutes

Step 1

Recap and Warm-Up

3 minutes

Step 2

Direct Instruction: Navigating Your IEP

7 minutes

Step 3

Independent Activity: IEP Mapping

10 minutes

Step 4

Role-Play Practice: Self-Advocacy

8 minutes

Step 5

Reflection and Next Steps

2 minutes

Slide Deck

Session 2: Using Your IEP

Welcome back! Let’s review what we learned last time and introduce today’s focus.

Session Objectives

Read the objectives aloud and ensure students understand the goals for today’s session.

Navigating Your IEP

Demonstrate how to use the table of contents and headings to find IEP sections quickly.

Locating IEP Sections

Model on a sample IEP where each section appears, then have students locate the same in their own copies.

Role-Play: Asking for Support

Explain the role-play steps and review each sentence starter before students begin.

Next Steps

Invite volunteers to share how it felt and remind students of next steps for using their IEP.

Lesson Plan

Session 1 Lesson Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Review Materials and Prepare Sorting Activity

Step 1

Activate Prior Knowledge

Step 2

Direct Instruction: IEP Overview

Step 3

Hands-On Sorting Activity

Step 4

Independent Reflection

Slide Deck

Understanding Your IEP

Session Objectives

What is an IEP?

Why IEPs Matter

Key Parts of Your IEP

Part 1: Strengths

Part 2: Goals

Hands-On Sorting Activity

Worksheet

Activity

Lesson Plan

Session 2 Lesson Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials and Space

Step 1

Recap and Warm-Up

Step 2

Direct Instruction: Navigating Your IEP

Step 3

Independent Activity: IEP Mapping

Step 4

Role-Play Practice: Self-Advocacy

Step 5

Reflection and Next Steps

Slide Deck

Session 2: Using Your IEP

Session Objectives

Navigating Your IEP

Locating IEP Sections

Role-Play: Asking for Support

Next Steps

Worksheet

Activity

IEP Insider

Joanna Rodriguez