How to Write a Lesson Plan: A Teacher’s Guide
Lesson planning is a necessary first step in implementing curriculum themes. Creating a lesson plan with clearly defined learning objectives, goals, and a metric for measuring progress toward these goals is vital to ensuring students benefit as much as possible from weekly lessons. Ask questions of yourself that pertain to the structure and benefits of your lessons as well as the needs of your students. Some things to ask when creating your lesson plan are
Consider your class’s collective and individual learning styles and needs. Are your students more responsive to finding their own research texts than the textbooks and websites you provide? You may have many hands-on learners who need physical activities to help them process information. Be mindful of any special needs or barriers students may have that will require additional materials or assistance to allow them to participate in activities and lessons. Your lesson plan should also be clearly written, concise, and easy to follow and implement. By writing lesson plans in this manner, you’ll be able to provide a road map for any substitute teachers in your room to follow in your absence.
Key Components of a Lesson Plan with Examples
Your lesson plan should include:
Aim to have lesson plans completed no later than the Thursday prior to their implementation. Allow time to observe progress toward the current week’s objectives, and determine if extending the lesson into next week is necessary. Give yourself sufficient time to gather necessary materials as well. Some schools and districts require the use of lesson planning books and templates for creating lesson plans. If yours doesn’t, you can create your own weekly lesson plan template or download one from a website. Find great lesson plan samples of teacher-created templates here. With some guidance and practice, you’ll be on your way to learning how to make a lesson plan of your own.
Lesson Planning for Effective Classroom Management
Lesson planning plays a huge role in providing students with the stable classroom environments that best support their learning. No matter the age group, students respond best to predictable routines in which they are involved and aware of the process and are able to anticipate what comes next. Post your lesson plans in multiple visible places where students, substitutes, and parents can all see them and easily stay caught up on your curriculum. Have students alternate reading the next day’s activities, materials, and required homework as an exit ticket.
A lesson plan for teachers that takes into account students’ learning styles and interests goes a long way to promoting student engagement and classroom involvement. Encourage your students to give feedback on lessons, either throughout the week or at the end of a completed lesson, and take note of which elements brought out the best and worst responses.
Looking for Additional Lesson Plan Ideas and Inspiration?
Like any skill, creating a good lesson plan format gets easier the more you do it. It might start off seeming like an intimidating feat, but if you’re consistent after a while, you find your rhythm. The most important part of the process is to always be considering the needs of your class, and that includes you as a teacher. Creativity in lesson planning is important, but stay mindful of your budget and time restrictions, and don’t overextend yourself.
After reading this lesson plan guide, if you’re searching for ideas on how to create a lesson plan, check out these links for insights about EdTech trends, introducing technology into your classroom for the first time, and ways to capture students’ attention:
- What is the goal/learning objective of this lesson?
- What materials are necessary to teach this lesson effectively?
- What types of activities will best help my students learn this lesson?
- Which group sizes are best for each activity and will best aid students in their learning processes?
Consider your class’s collective and individual learning styles and needs. Are your students more responsive to finding their own research texts than the textbooks and websites you provide? You may have many hands-on learners who need physical activities to help them process information. Be mindful of any special needs or barriers students may have that will require additional materials or assistance to allow them to participate in activities and lessons. Your lesson plan should also be clearly written, concise, and easy to follow and implement. By writing lesson plans in this manner, you’ll be able to provide a road map for any substitute teachers in your room to follow in your absence.
Key Components of a Lesson Plan with Examples
Your lesson plan should include:
- An objective or statement of learning goals: Objectives are the foundation of your lesson plan. They should be clearly stated and should outline which skills, knowledge, or understanding students are expected to gain as a result of the lesson (ex: “At the end of this lesson, students will be able to observe and identify all 50 United States.”) Be mindful that your objectives are realistic, measurable, and in compliance with the educational standards of your school and/or district for your grade level.
- Materials needed: Make a list of all necessary materials and ensure they are available well in advance of the lesson. If your lesson requires use of shared materials or spaces (such as computer labs or shared electronics), make sure you reserve these spaces and confirm their reservation. Keep materials together in a secure space and labeled for your lesson, and have extra available. Include any links or media that are necessary for your lesson, as well as materials needed. Ensure your sites are bookmarked and playlists are compiled in advance.
- The procedure and instructions: Create detailed notes on both the process for the lesson or activity and on how instructions are to be given. Maybe there is certain information you don’t want students to be told upfront, but you want them to discover it throughout the course of the lesson. Your lesson plan should be detailed enough that anyone who reads it will have all the same information and ability to effectively teach the lesson.
- Group sizes for lessons and activities: It is best to use a mix of groupings for the activities within your lessons, including individual, pairs, small group, and whole class work. When planning your activities, contemplate which groupings will work best for each activity or if students will have the option of choosing which group sizes work best for them. Consider materials needed and the availability of those materials/resources for each activity.
- A method of assessing student progress toward objectives: How will you determine if your lesson plan accomplished its goal of achieving learning objectives? In your lesson plan, detail your process for assessment (oral quiz, written quiz, project, etc.) and get feedback on what worked and didn’t work for students. Determine what values will be used to define your lesson’s success (ex: students are able to display knowledge comprehension in line with the learning objective 80% of the time).
- Any homework assignments relevant to the lesson to extend learning.
Aim to have lesson plans completed no later than the Thursday prior to their implementation. Allow time to observe progress toward the current week’s objectives, and determine if extending the lesson into next week is necessary. Give yourself sufficient time to gather necessary materials as well. Some schools and districts require the use of lesson planning books and templates for creating lesson plans. If yours doesn’t, you can create your own weekly lesson plan template or download one from a website. Find great lesson plan samples of teacher-created templates here. With some guidance and practice, you’ll be on your way to learning how to make a lesson plan of your own.
Lesson Planning for Effective Classroom Management
Lesson planning plays a huge role in providing students with the stable classroom environments that best support their learning. No matter the age group, students respond best to predictable routines in which they are involved and aware of the process and are able to anticipate what comes next. Post your lesson plans in multiple visible places where students, substitutes, and parents can all see them and easily stay caught up on your curriculum. Have students alternate reading the next day’s activities, materials, and required homework as an exit ticket.
A lesson plan for teachers that takes into account students’ learning styles and interests goes a long way to promoting student engagement and classroom involvement. Encourage your students to give feedback on lessons, either throughout the week or at the end of a completed lesson, and take note of which elements brought out the best and worst responses.
Looking for Additional Lesson Plan Ideas and Inspiration?
Like any skill, creating a good lesson plan format gets easier the more you do it. It might start off seeming like an intimidating feat, but if you’re consistent after a while, you find your rhythm. The most important part of the process is to always be considering the needs of your class, and that includes you as a teacher. Creativity in lesson planning is important, but stay mindful of your budget and time restrictions, and don’t overextend yourself.
After reading this lesson plan guide, if you’re searching for ideas on how to create a lesson plan, check out these links for insights about EdTech trends, introducing technology into your classroom for the first time, and ways to capture students’ attention:
Cite
GoGarudian Team. “How to Write a Lesson Plan: A Teacher’s Guide.” GoGuardian, 21 Aug 2019, <https://www.goguardian.com/blog/learning/how-to-write-a-lesson-plan-a-teachers-guide/> Accessed 15 Apr 2021.
GoGarudian Team. “How to Write a Lesson Plan: A Teacher’s Guide.” GoGuardian, 21 Aug 2019, <https://www.goguardian.com/blog/learning/how-to-write-a-lesson-plan-a-teachers-guide/> Accessed 15 Apr 2021.
Effective Lesson Planning, Delivery Techniques and Classroom Management Suggestions
Good lesson planning is essential to the process of teaching and learning. A teacher who is prepared is well on his/her way to a successful instructional experience. The development of interesting lessons takes a great deal of time and effort. As a new teacher you must be committed to spending the necessary time in this endeavor.
It is also important to realize that the best planned lesson is worthless if interesting delivery procedures, along with good classroom management techniques, are not in evidence. There is a large body of research available pertaining to lesson development and delivery and the significance of classroom management. They are skills that must be researched, structured to your individual style, implemented in a teacher/learning situation, and constantly evaluated and revamped when necessary. Consistency is of the utmost importance in the implementation of a classroom management plan.
All teachers should understand that they are not an island unto themselves. The educational philosophy of the district and the uniqueness of their schools should be the guiding force behind what takes place in the classroom. The school’s code of discipline, which should be fair, responsible and meaningful, must be reflected in every teacher’s classroom management efforts.
SUGGESTED PRACTICES
It is also important to realize that the best planned lesson is worthless if interesting delivery procedures, along with good classroom management techniques, are not in evidence. There is a large body of research available pertaining to lesson development and delivery and the significance of classroom management. They are skills that must be researched, structured to your individual style, implemented in a teacher/learning situation, and constantly evaluated and revamped when necessary. Consistency is of the utmost importance in the implementation of a classroom management plan.
All teachers should understand that they are not an island unto themselves. The educational philosophy of the district and the uniqueness of their schools should be the guiding force behind what takes place in the classroom. The school’s code of discipline, which should be fair, responsible and meaningful, must be reflected in every teacher’s classroom management efforts.
SUGGESTED PRACTICES
- Establish a positive classroom environment
- Make the classroom a pleasant, friendly place
- Accept individual differences
- Learning activities should be cooperative and supportive
- Create a non-threatening learning environment
- Organize physical space; eliminate situations that my be dangerous or disruptive
- Establish classroom rules and procedures and consistently reinforce them
- Begin lessons by giving clear instructions
- State desired quality of work
- Have students paraphrase directions
- Ensure that everyone is paying attention
- Ensure that all distractions have been removed
- Describe expectations, activities and evaluation procedures
- Start with a highly motivating activity
- Build lesson upon prior student knowledge
- Maintain student attention
- Use random selection in calling upon students
- Vary who you call on and how you call on them
- Ask questions before calling on a student; wait at least five seconds for a response
- Be animated; show enthusiasm and interest
- Reinforce student efforts with praise
- Vary instructional methods
- Provide work of appropriate difficulty
- Demonstrate and model the types of responses or tasks you want students to perform
- Provide guided practice for students; monitor responses and deliver immediate corrective feedback
- Use appropriate pacing
- Be aware of your teaching tempo
- Watch for cues that children are becoming confused, bored or restless; sometimes lesson have to be shortened
- Provide suitable seatwork
- Seatwork should be diagnostic and prescriptive
- Develop procedures for seeking assistance; have a “help” signal
- Develop procedures for what to do when finished
- Move around to monitor seatwork
- Vary methods of practice
- Evaluate what has taken place in your lesson
- Summarize the lesson and focus on positive gains made by students; use surprise reinforcers as a direct result of their good behavior
- Determine if the lesson was successful; were goals accomplished?
- Make a smooth transition into next subject
- Have materials ready for next lesson
- Maintain attention of students until you have given clear instructions for the next activity
- Do not do tasks that can be done by students (i.e. passing out paper or collecting assignments); use monitors
- Move around and attend to individual needs
- Provide simple, step-by-step instructions
- Utilize a freeze and listen signal, when necessary
- Develop positive teacher/student relationships
- Set a good example; be a positive role model
- Create an exciting learning environment for all students
- Reward good behavior; create special activities that children will enjoy doing
- Correct misbehaviors; have consequences of disruptive behavior; communicate them to children
- Handling disruptions
- Keep is short and simple (KISS)
- Use a warning system
- Defer disruptive behavior proactively (eye contact, close space between you and student, use head/hand gestures)
- Help students be successful
- Use planned ignoring (and teach other student to also ignore)
Cite
“EFFECTIVE LESSON PLANNING, DELIVERY TECHNIQUES AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT SUGGESTIONS” Kean.edu, <https://www.kean.edu/~tpc/Classroom%20Management/EFFECTIVE%20LESSON%20PLANNING%20&%20Classroom%20Mgmt.htm> Accessed 16 Apr 2021.
“EFFECTIVE LESSON PLANNING, DELIVERY TECHNIQUES AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT SUGGESTIONS” Kean.edu, <https://www.kean.edu/~tpc/Classroom%20Management/EFFECTIVE%20LESSON%20PLANNING%20&%20Classroom%20Mgmt.htm> Accessed 16 Apr 2021.
