On this page
This page focuses on providing general and subject specific resources, both from within and outside the library, that you can use in your teaching and serve as a source of inspiration. This is not an exhaustive list and is very much a living document. Always be mindful that most of these resources will need to be modified to adapt to the official curriculum for your learners.
If you need help, please contact Adena Brons, Education Librarian at 778 782 7419 or abrons@sfu.ca or Ask a librarian.
Books about Lesson Planning
Using the Library Catalogue
Search the Library Catalogue to find lesson planning ideas from teacher's guides, activity books, handbooks, and books with supplemental guides.To have a more focused search, use keywords for your subject area or topic, together with the suggested keywords and subject headings below.
For example: literature AND secondary AND (lesson plan* OR "activity programs")
Suggested keywords:
Subject headings:
Using Library Databases
Some educators publish lesson plans in journals - you can find these lesson ideas and learning activities in some Education databases. Below are some examples from two major Education databases.
To find lesson plans in Education Source:
Type "lesson plans" OR "lesson planning" in the first search box and then select "SU Subject" in the Select a Field drop-down menu. You can then type your keyword(s) on the second line (for example, math, science, english, etc.)
You can also type "activity programs" and select SU Subject, as activity programs is a term used to describe lesson plans and learning activities in which students are actively involved.
The Advanced Search also allows you to filter by Document Type (under 'Limit your results') by selecting "Lesson Plan"
To find lesson plans in ERIC:
Type "lesson plans" in the first search box, and then select "SU Descriptors" in the drop-down menu. You can then type your keyword(s) on the second line (for example, math, science, english, etc.)
The Advanced Search also allows you to filter Publication Type (under 'Limit your results') by selecting "Guides - Classroom - Teacher"
General teaching resources (K-12)
General and multidisciplinary K-12 resources such as lesson and unit plans, activities, and background information.
Canadian resources
TeachBC 
Great starting point. Developed by BC teachers. Includes activities, lesson plans, unit plans, and more.
BC Curriculum: Instructional Samples
Examples of how BC teachers are implementing the redesigned curriculum. Includes ready-to-use lesson plans and activities.
Code BC
Coding and computational thinking resources connected to BC's redesigned curriculum.
Learning First Peoples: Classroom Resources
Teacher resources developed by the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC).
Open School BC
Open education resources on selected subjects.
UDL: supporting diversity in BC schools
Resources to help K-12 teachers introduce Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies into the classroom.
RBCM Learning Portal: The Immigrant Experience
Royal British Columbia Museum's (RBCM) resources related to the histories of some diverse communities (Chinese Canadians, Punjabi Canadians).
SOGI 123
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) -- Inclusive lesson plans and other resources which align with the BC curriculum.
Training and Teaching Tools (BC Ministry of Education)
Teacher resources from the BC Ministry of Education.
Other general resources
Teaching resources
BetterLesson
Thousands of openly accessible lesson plans for integration, created and rated by educators, along with professional learning support
CK-12
An open source for engaging learning activities, such as interactive simulations and worksheets, quizzes, class management systems, customizable textbooks, and more
Curriki Library
Thousands of open educational resources and links to external open sources to support digital learning in all subjects, organized by level and including lesson plans, activities, worksheets and more
Education World
Lesson plans, activity ideas, worksheets, and more
EduRef.org
Lesson plans & resources guides by subject
Imaginative Education Research Group: Lesson Plans
Imaginative education lesson plans and units
MERLOT
A curated open collection of many discipline-specific learning resources contributed by an international community of educators. All of which are reviewed for suitability
Morning Center: For Teaching Social Responsibility
Resources to help K-12 educators encourage social responsibility and foster social & emotional learning
OER Commons
Public digital library of open educational resources.
Share My Lesson
Teaching resources from The American Federation of Teachers
Teacher.org: Lesson Plans
Lesson plans by subject and grade level
The Learning Network: Teaching and Learning with the New York Times
Resources, strategies and ideas for teaching with The New York Times
Classroom media
Curio.ca
Available in both English and French, CBC’s educational streaming service and provides access to thousands of television shows, radio programs, teacher guides, and K–12 curriculum connections.
HippoCampus
An aggregator of open multimedia content such as animations, simulations, and videos around middle-school and high-school level math, humanities, and natural and social sciences
PBS Teacher Resources
K-12 media from PBS
Smithsonian Learning Lab
Access to The Smithsonian’s digital images, recordings, texts, and videos in history, art and culture, and the sciences. Includes pre-existing, customizable collections and tools for implementing lessons/activities
Storyline Online
Streams videos of celebrities reading aloud from children's books, alongside illustrations
= Openly accessible resources. SFU login not required. These resources may be reused, but check the resource's permissions about altering or revising materials