Lesson plans need to be a schematic blueprint of expectations, but they must also be readily adaptable in case of any unforeseen circumstances. Writing lesson plans should be done from three different perspectives in order to win over the respect of the students, and in an effort to reach every student. The curriculum that you are delivering needs to be taught in an auditory, visual, and kinesthetic fashion to ensure that the lesson is being absorbed by each and every mind in the classroom.
Teachers need to write detailed lesson plans on a daily basis, making certain that they flow together cohesively. Lesson plans help keep a teacher focused on the topic, and allow them to present topics of their own volition. The actual writing of the lesson plans is simple enough, in that you need to allot a given amount of time per topic, and you also need a contingency plan in the event that something comes up that is out of your control.
Depending on the topic of your lesson plans, have a variety of resources at your disposal so that you can integrate and incorporate some technology and hands-on approaches to complement your lecture. Writing lesson plans involves making sure that the material you are delivering is believable, as the students must find you trustworthy, and they must buy into your philosophies.
When writing lesson plans, introduce the topic clearly at the outset of the class, and then relate that topic to everyday life, in order that the students may understand the concept more easily. Throughout the lesson plans, have some theory followed by hands on learning, switching up the learning styles. By trying to incorporate all of the different ways that students learn, your lesson plans will mesh together nicer.
Staying on topic is more difficult than it would seem, so by having detailed and outlined lesson plans written, there will always be a segue back to the topic in case discussion leads elsewhere. Keeping it simple is paramount, and preparing lively debates or discussions that go hand in hand with the lesson will help the students to hear different perspectives. This will also help to foster a sense of community in the classroom, and teach the other students to respect one another.
Utilizing a variety of strategies to teach will also aid the teacher nicely through the writing of the lesson plans. Audio and visual need to be represented, so using manipulatives, PowerPoint presentations, written theory, and discussing topics will make sure that your lesson plans come alive during the class time. The more enthused you are as the teacher, the more engaged the students will become, which will endear you to them.
Lesson plans are the lifeblood of the teacher, the saving grace on any given teaching day. Lesson plans help you to navigate through the slippery slopes of the learning curve. There are many key tips to writing an effective set of lesson plans. When writing your lesson plans, you need to, first and foremost, understand the material like the back of your hand. You then need to be prepared to teach using the three learning strategies that all students learn from. When writing your lesson plans, it is integral that you understand the material, and can explain it in a variety of manners. If a student asks a question that you are unprepared for, then you will lose the interest of the class rather quickly.
Teaching requires that you are able to reach every student with your teaching, and thusly you need to prepare for every student. You need to present the information you are teaching in an auditory manner, visually, and in a tactile/kinesthetic manner. This will ensure that you have the best possible way of reaching every learner’s differing approaches. Knowing your class and their personal learning proclivities will assist you in preparing the best possible lessons. Since you are speaking to a familiar audience, this step should be simple.
You need to present new information with a clear introduction of the topic, and then you can have the class, with your astute guidance, brainstorm as to what the topic will deal with. A KWL chart is a fabulous tool to use, having the students outline what they already Know about the topic, what they Want to know or wonder about, and finally, after the lesson is complete, what they in fact Learned about the topic. By going through these steps, you will also be better able to glean how prepared and knowledgeable your class is about the subject at hand.
Afterwards, you can teach the lesson, provide a hands on activity to help the understanding of the concepts, perhaps play a game of some sort related to the topic, and finally you can apply the topic to a young person using an analogy from their generation. Writing a lesson plan this way will help you keep your focus intact, and will have your students eating out of the palm of your hand. Writing effective lesson plans will vary from class to class, and from year to year. Making sure to not become stagnant in your teaching style will keep you fresh and motivated.
Writing lesson plans will come more naturally once you have done it for awhile and gained an appreciation for what works, and what does not work. Lesson plans should always be open for adaption, so that you can wing it if needed. Teachable moments sometimes arise, and you should never be too set in your ways that you cannot make slight alterations. Teaching is ever-evolving, so you need to become as flexible as possible.