1. Select the area or aspect of the special interest that you wish to focus on. Pick a topic that will allow students to actively explore the subject.

Examples: In urban design, students couls solve an actual urban design problem or explore an aspect of designing the buildt environment. In transportation, students could ride various public transportation systems to explore some aspect of transportation planning.
2. Select an age group/level to target your lesson plan.

3. List your learning objectives.

4. Develop an exercise or identify aproblem for students to explore. Provide students and teachers witha brief synopsis of the lesson and its fundamental purpose. Present background information and the procedure or instructions implementing the lesson plan.

Examples: To understand the land use process. To introduce the data used for developing a community plan. To develop the higher order skills for solving community growth problems. To develop an awareness of the complex issues in planning a city.

5. List the materials, equipment, and resources (readings, people, etc.) needed to complete the exercise. Identify the amount of time to complete the lesson and if advanced preparation is required.

6. Suggest follow-up activity or extension(s) of the lesson.

7. Include a glossary of terms if appropriate.