How to Create a Great Lesson Plan

Student Achievement Best Practices

By David Wiseman

A lesson plan is a necessary element of teaching at any level. From K-12 the same principles have to remain consistent. Whether teachers are working in Texas colleges or are providing instruction at the elementary level, the purpose of the lesson plan remains the same. It provides an outline of what the instructor needs to teach to the class of students. Knowing how to create a lesson plan is a key part of ensuring the goals are met despite the unpredictable behavior of students.

Determine the Objective:

Identifying what the lesson plan is intended to teach is the first element of creating a plan. Teachers must first determine the objective of the lesson before it is possible to create a plan that works for the student’s needs.

After determining the objective, teachers should then restate it according to the age group and language understanding of the students. College professors might leave the objective as it is while an elementary teacher will need to restate the goal of the lesson based on the language development of their students.

Create a Framework:

Teachers who are striving to create a great lesson plan need to set it up according to a set framework. The best framework is identifying what is already known as an introduction, putting in the objective with a particular activity and then summarizing the lesson.

For younger age groups, the lesson should include an activity that allows movement or interaction, such as worksheets and coloring. Older students who are often subjected to lectures should also have an opportunity for class discussions or debates on the topics to improve learning and get the most out of the lesson. The summary of the lesson is the review of the objective so that students are reminded of what they learned.

Get Creative:

While creativity in the classroom is often somewhat limited based on the particular subject, teachers who add elements of creativity to the plan will see improved success. Creativity is easier in classrooms related to literature, where teachers can work on a wide range of potential activities, but it is not always simple when working around computer classes or similar technological lessons.

The key is finding something that will help engage students in the lesson, even if it means doing something that is a little out of the box.

A great lesson plan should always consider the students and the goal of the lesson. By keeping these two ideas in mind, it is easier to create a plan that engages students of all ages.