Yet, it is important to plan lessons carefully to ensure that they have structure.
If you’re looking for ways to improve your lessons, then this post is for you!
Here are our top tips on how to improve your lesson plan.
Use A Variety Of Teaching Methods
Teaching can be done in many different ways. For example, you could use visual aids such as PowerPoint slides or videos.
You could also use games, songs, role plays, etc. The key here is to find out what works best with your class and stick with it.
The types of methods you use will depend on the age group that you are teaching.
For younger children, you may want to use more hands-on activities.
However, if you teach older kids, then you might need to focus more on using books and other written materials.
Using different techniques ensures that there is variety in your lessons. This helps to keep your classes engaged and interested.
It also means that each child gets an opportunity to find which techniques work best for them.
This can help them in the future when they have to revise for exams. After all, everyone has a different learning process.
Be Flexible When Planning Your Lessons
It’s easy to get stuck in a routine when planning your lessons. However, if you don’t change things up now and again, you risk getting bored.
So, try introducing new ideas into your lessons. For example, you might introduce a topic that hasn’t been covered before.
Or you could add in some extra learning activities that you normally wouldn’t do.
You should remember that your plans aren’t set in stone. When you begin teaching the lesson, things may not go exactly as you planned.
That’s okay because you can always make changes later. Just make sure that you stay flexible so that you don’t end up with a boring lesson.
If you are inflexible, you may be incapable of overcoming the various challenges that you face.
You can’t predict these challenges, so instead be adaptable.
Make Sure Your Students Are Engaged With What They’re Doing
If your students aren’t enjoying their lessons, then they won’t learn anything. In fact, they’ll probably lose interest quickly.
So, it’s vital that you make sure that they are fully engaged with what they are doing.
This can be tough, particularly if you are discussing a dry subject. But, by making small adjustments, you can easily overcome any problems.
Some dynamic ways of ensuring lessons are interesting include creating quizzes or games.
Alternatively, you can find a unique perspective from which you can explore the subject. Here are some other ways to engage your students:
Ask questions to encourage discussion.
Provide examples to show why something makes sense.
Give students time to think about what they’ve learned.
Allow students to share their thoughts.
Set A Clear Lesson Objective
Perhaps the first stage of planning lessons is to come up with the lesson objectives.
These should clearly state what you want your students to achieve at the end of the lesson.
By setting clear objectives, you ensure that you know whether you are achieving success.
For example, if you are teaching how to write a letter, you would set out the following objective: “By the end of this lesson, my students will be able to write a simple letter.”
Of course, for more complex subjects, the objective may be longer.
Once you have set the main objective, you can also break down the lesson into smaller aims. Doing so ensures that your lesson is focused.
Plus, it means that you and your students will be on target.
If you are unclear about the objectives of a lesson, it means that you may need to streamline or focus the lesson.
Consider Using Bold And Adventurous Techniques
When it comes to planning lessons, there are many techniques that you can use.
One way to spice up your lessons is to include bold techniques. These are techniques that are unusual or unconventional.
Though traditional teaching methods, such as creating an informative slideshow, are effective, you shouldn’t be afraid to be innovative.
For example, you could create a game that involves role-playing or even a dance routine. The key thing is that you must be creative.
Otherwise, you risk falling flat. Another technique that you can use is to try using different media.
For example, you might choose to use videos or images rather than written text.
Effective lesson plans are not afraid to be a little nontraditional, using learning styles that others may consider unorthodox.
Think About Time
Most lessons only last for an hour. However, this doesn’t mean that you can just go ahead and plan a one-hour lesson.
You need to factor in enough time to cover all the material. It can be hard to cover a broad and complex lesson in the space of class time.
To do this, you need to break down the lesson into manageable chunks. Then, you can add extra time for each chunk.
This means that you don’t run out of time before finishing the lesson. Think about how long each activity will take.
Plan extra learning activities in case the students get through them quicker than you had planned.
On the flip side, prioritize certain parts of the lesson if you are getting through them slowly.
This will mean that you have covered the primary aims of the lesson.
Use Realistic Expectations
While most teachers aim to provide high-quality lessons, they often underestimate the amount of work involved.
In fact, some teachers think that they can just throw together a lesson plan and expect it to turn out well.
However, this isn’t always the case. A good lesson plan takes a lot of effort and preparation.
To avoid disappointing your students, make sure that you are realistic when it comes to expectations.
This means that you need to give yourself plenty of time to prepare. Also, you should allow yourself enough time to revise and edit the lesson.
Don’t rush things. Instead, spend a few hours on the lesson plan before starting.
Create A Logical Structure
Lastly, a clear structure helps you keep track of what you want to achieve with your lesson.
When you have a clear structure, you can easily see where you are going. This makes it easier to stay on course.
This allows you to achieve the aforementioned objectives and reach a logical conclusion.
If you aren’t sure where to start, then you can use a template. Templates are useful because they help you organize ideas.
They also help you focus on the main points of the lesson. These templates can easily be found online.
As you become a more experienced teacher, you will likely become less reliant on these templates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Use To Plan My Lessons?
Some people prefer making digital plans while others use physical copies. One of the best tools for planning lessons is Google Docs.
It’s free, easy to use, and has plenty of features. Moreover, it allows you to collaborate with other people.
Alternatively, you can use a notebook or diary to plan your lessons.
However, whichever method you decide to use, make sure that you stick to the same format.
Don’t mix up your formats from lesson to lesson. This will help you keep track of what you’ve already done.
What Are The Benefits Of Lesson Plans?
Lesson plans are essential when it comes to teaching. They allow you to prepare everything ahead of time.
This helps you to ensure that you cover every aspect of the subject. In addition, they provide structure to your classes.
Without them, you would find yourself wandering around aimlessly. Moreover, lesson plans help you to organize your thoughts.
This makes it easier for you to teach effectively. Also, they help you to avoid wasting time.
As a result, we thoroughly advise planning lessons in advance.
Final Thoughts
Planning lessons well takes practice. But once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll find that you’re much better off.
When you start planning lessons, you’ll soon discover that it is beneficial for both you and the students.
With our tips, you can ensure that your lessons are engaging, interesting, and focused.
Hi, my name is Helena Waters and I was a teacher for 40 years before retiring last year.
During my time as a teacher I dedicated the majority of it to making classrooms as fun as possible, with educational parties, fun activities, and low cost entertainment that made the children excited about learning.
I taught children of all ages, from preschoolers to high school students. Now, with the pandemic having uprooted everything that children once knew about school and learning, I think that the need for my ideas is bigger than ever.
That is why I created School Sparks, a place in which I can write down and share all of my ideas on how to get students excited about going to school again. I hope that you’ll find some useful within a school setting, even at home too!
