The backwards lesson plan is both a technique and teaching method that can be applied to most subjects. In order to teach United States (US) history using backwards lesson plans, you must determine the main idea for each lesson plan before you create the bulk of the lesson. Backwards lesson planning is the design of lessons with the end result it mind. You may wish to create unique assignments to help students learn, such as writing stories about Pilgrims or reading historical fiction.

1
Determine if you wish to teach American history in chronological or reverse order. Though backwards lesson plans typically sequence in chronological order, you may wish to deviate from the norm if you believe it will make history more interesting or informative.

2
Write the desired result of the first lesson. For example, the first lesson plan of U.S. history may deal with the Pilgrims coming to America. The desired result may be "Understand motivations for Pilgrims leaving" and "Understand culture of Pilgrims."

3
Determine how students will show you they understand the plan. You may ask them questions about U.S. history, give a test about the Pilgrims or assign homework that explains one or two aspects of the Pilgrims. For example, the homework may be to write a short response to the question "List and explain three reasons why the Pilgrims came to America."

4
Write the introduction to the lesson plan. The lesson plan should start with an entertaining hook, such as a unique fact about US history or a story about the Pilgrims. In most cases, the hook should be no longer than five minutes.

5
Move on to the big ideas and essential questions. The big ideas of your lesson plan may be "the Pilgrims came to America to find wealth and spread religion." In question form, this might say "Why did the Pilgrims believe there was wealth in the Americas" and "What motivated the Pilgrims to spread religion?"

6
Provide examples of the information students need to know. You may include facts about the life of the Pilgrims or facts about the state of affairs in Europe before the Pilgrims left. Keep the facts and examples in chronological order. This will be the bulk of the lesson plan.

7
End the lesson plan with a brief review of the main ideas.