Objectives (10 - 15 minutes)

During this initial stage of the lesson plan, the teacher will:

1. Introduce Martin Luther as a key figure in the Protestant Reformation and explain his role as a German theologian. This will provide the students with the necessary context to understand the significance of his actions.

2. Highlight the importance of the Ninety-Five Theses and how they challenged the practices of the Catholic Church. The students will learn about the specific issues that Martin Luther raised in his Theses and how they led to significant religious and social changes.

3. Discuss the establishment of Protestant Christianity as a result of Martin Luther's actions. This will help the students appreciate the long-term effects of the Reformation and Martin Luther's role in it.

Additional objectives can include:

• Encouraging students to think critically about the impact of Martin Luther's actions on the contemporary religious landscape. This will help them connect the historical events with their current reality.

• Fostering a discussion on the relevance of the Reformation in the current socio-religious context. This will help students understand the enduring impact of historical events on the present day.

• Engaging the students in a group activity where they can brainstorm and discuss the potential responses from the Catholic Church to Luther's Theses. This activity will help enhance the students' understanding of the controversies and conflicts during the Reformation.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

During the introductory stage of the lesson, the teacher will:

1. Revisit Prior Knowledge (5 minutes): Start by reminding students of the general historical context of the 16th century in Europe, focusing on the religious and social aspects. Discuss the importance of the Catholic Church during this period and its influence over society. This will set the stage for understanding the role and impact of Martin Luther.

2. Problem Situations (5 minutes):

   • Introduce the first problem situation: "Imagine you were a Catholic in the 16th century. You're aware of certain practices of the Church that you believe are wrong, but you're unsure how to address them. You are not alone in your doubts. Many people are questioning the Church's practices. What would you do?"

   • Present the second problem situation: "Think about a time in your life when you disagreed with something that was widely accepted by everyone around you. How did you handle it? How did your actions affect others?" These problem situations are designed to make students think about the dilemmas Martin Luther might have faced.

3. Real-World Context (2 minutes): Explain that these situations are not just historical. Even today, people face moral and ethical dilemmas where they must stand up for what they believe is right, even when it is against prevailing norms. The story of Martin Luther can provide insights into handling such situations.

4. Introduction of the Topic (3 minutes):

   • Begin with a curiosity: "Did you know that Martin Luther didn't intend to split the Church? His initial intention was to reform it from within. His actions, however, led to a schism and the formation of a whole new branch of Christianity."

   • Share a related story: "In the small town of Wittenberg, Germany, there is a door made entirely of bronze. It is not an ordinary door, but a memorial where the Ninety-Five Theses were supposedly nailed by Martin Luther. This door is seen as a symbol of the dawn of the Reformation."

This interesting introduction of the topic will pique the students' curiosity and set the stage for the exploration of the life and impact of Martin Luther.

Development

Pre-Class Activities (10 - 15 minutes)

Before the class, the students are expected to complete the following tasks:

1. Reading: Students will be given an easy-to-understand article about the life of Martin Luther, his role in the Protestant Reformation, and his Ninety-Five Theses. This will provide them with essential knowledge about the topic.

2. Video Watching: Students will be asked to watch a short animated video link sent to them that portrays the historical situation of the 16th century and Martin Luther's decisive part in the Protestant Reformation, in a fun and engaging way.

3. Timeline Creation: Using information from the reading and video, students will create a brief timeline of events related to Martin Luther and the Reformation. This will help students better understand the chronological order of events.

In-Class Activities (20 - 25 minutes)

Activity 1: The Church's Response – a hypothetical scenario

(Location: classroom set up in a semi-circle with the teacher's podium as the stand for the Catholic Church)

1. The students will be divided into five groups each representing various parties during the Reformation–Catholics, Martin Luther, reform-minded priests and monks, regular folks questioning the Church's practices, and finally, the monarchs of the time. Each group will have to assume their role, using information from their pre-class activities.

2. The teacher will present a hypothetical scenario where Martin Luther has just nailed his Ninety-Five Theses. Now, each group has to respond to this situation.

3. For instance, the Catholic Church group needs to come up with strategies to suppress or respond to Luther; the Martin Luther group would work on preparing their defenses and reasons; the third group might discuss how they can subtly support Luther without getting excommunicated.

4. They have 10 minutes to prepare. Afterward, a group discussion will be held, resembling a church council meeting with the teacher acting as the mediator.

5. Expected Outcome: This activity will allow students to exhibit their understanding of the topic while respecting others' perspectives. It will foster critical thinking and engage them in problem solving.

Activity 2: Martin Luther's Instagram

(Location: the computer lab, if available, or on the students' tablet computers or mobile phones in the classroom)

1. Students divided into groups of five will be asked to create a hypothetical Instagram for Martin Luther. Each group will have approximately 15 minutes to create a minimum of 5 posts for their Instagram profiles.

2. These posts could be significant events in Luther's life, his controversial statements, or the reactions and effects of the 95 Theses. They should include appropriate captions and hashtags.

3. Once completed, each group will have to present to the classroom the Instagram profile they created and explain the posts.

4. Expected Outcome: This activity engages the students in topic-centered creativity and allows them to better understand and retain the timeline of events connected to Martin Luther. It also helps bridge the gap between historical and contemporary contexts.

The proposed development time estimate is approximate and may need to be adjusted based on actual progress in the class. Indeed, it's crucial to ensure the achievement of learning goals, fostering active engagement and critical thinking rather than strictly adhering to the timing.

Feedback (10 - 15 minutes)

During the feedback stage of the lesson, the teacher will:

1. Group Discussion (8 minutes):

   • Facilitate a group discussion where each group can share their solutions or conclusions from the activities, with each group given no more than 3 minutes to present.

   • The teacher should guide the discussion in a way that connects the group's outcomes with the theoretical knowledge they gained about Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation.

   • Feedback should be provided on both content and presentation skills, highlighting what was done well and areas for improvement.

   • This will help students understand how their work relates to the overall objectives of the lesson and allow them to learn from each other's perspectives.

2. Reflection (5 minutes):

   • Ask students to take a moment to reflect on the day's activities and what they have learned.

   • Ask reflection guiding questions such as:

     1. "What was the most important concept you learned today?"
     2. "Are there any questions or concepts that you are still unsure about?"
     3. "How can you relate Martin Luther's actions to situations in the modern day?"

   • Encourage students to write down their thoughts and responses to these questions in their notebooks.

   • This reflective activity will allow students to internalize their learning, recognize areas they need to work on, and identify connections between the historical events and their own lives.

3. Wrap-up (2 minutes):

   • Conclude the lesson by summarizing the key takeaways and linking them back to the learning objectives.

   • Remind students that the story of Martin Luther is not just a historical event but a tale of courage, conviction, and the power of one person to bring about change.

   • Announce any follow-up activities or readings, and encourage students to explore the topic further on their own if they are interested.

The teacher should be flexible with the time allocation during this stage – what's important is that all students have a chance to reflect on their learning, ask any lingering questions, and understand how the day's activities relate to the larger objectives of the lesson.

Conclusion (5 - 10 minutes)

During the concluding stage of the lesson, the teacher will:

1. Summary and Recap (2 minutes): The teacher will summarize the key points of the lesson. This will include a brief recap of Martin Luther's role in the Protestant Reformation, the importance of his Ninety-Five Theses, and how they challenged the Catholic Church's practices, leading to significant religious and social changes.

2. Connecting Theory, Practice, and Applications (2 minutes): The teacher will explain how the lesson connected theory (the historical significance of Martin Luther and the Reformation) with practice (the group activities such as the Church's Response and Martin Luther's Instagram). The teacher will discuss how these practices allowed for real-world applications, enabling students to understand how historical events like the Reformation can lead to significant societal changes that are still relevant today.

3. Suggested Additional Materials (1 minute): The teacher will suggest additional resources for students who wish to explore the topic further. This could include books like "Martin Luther: A Life Reformed" by Paul R. Waibel, documentaries such as "Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World," or reputable websites like the BBC History site. The teacher will stress that these resources are optional but can provide a deeper understanding of the topic.

4. Importance of the Topic for Everyday Life (3 - 4 minutes): The teacher will conclude the lesson by discussing the importance of understanding historical figures like Martin Luther and events like the Reformation in our everyday life. By understanding these historical events, students can gain insights into how individuals can bring about societal changes, how religious beliefs can shape societies, and how questioning established norms can lead to reforms. This understanding can help students become better citizens, more informed decision-makers, and more empathetic individuals.

5. Final Remarks (1 minute): The teacher will end the lesson by thanking the students for their active participation and encouraging them to keep exploring and questioning the world around them. The teacher will remind students that the classroom is a safe space for them to voice their opinions, ask questions, and learn from each other.

The time estimates for this stage are approximate and may need to be adjusted based on the actual progress in the class. The teacher should ensure that all the objectives of the conclusion stage are achieved, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the topic and encouraging further exploration.