Planning
for Effective Instruction
Planning is acknowledged to be one of the most influential factors in successful
teaching. Planning that is clearly thought through will increase
the probability of student learning, and it is particularly important for
a beginning teacher. Good planning has the potential to build
confidence, and make you feel more secure in lesson execution
Teacher interns will be expected to write lesson plans for all lessons
they teach. In addition, modified plans may be required for activities
that might not be viewed as traditional - such as reading a book to the
class, creating classroom rules, coordination of transition time.
Creating meaningful lessons will require a significant amount of
time. Scheduling cooperative planning sessions between the teacher intern
and mentor teacher will provide quality time to discuss instructional
issues and maintain ongoing communication. It is in your best interest
to make a commitment to set aside enough time to plan for effective instruction
rather than leaving it to chance. As a novice teacher you need to
set yourself up for success. Written lesson plans during the student
teaching experience provide:
-
a clear delineation of the flow of activities in a lesson so that the teacher
intern does not have to rely on memory alone. As Madeline Hunter
stated, The more you think on your seat, the less you have to think on
your feet. Written lesson plans allow for reviewing and critiquing
lessons on an ongoing basis.
-
a written document helps the mentor teacher and college supervisor
understand your thinking in the design, the delivery, and assessment of
instruction. They can then provide formative feedback before or after the
instruction occurs.
It is a reality that experienced teachers often have plans in their head,
use a modified form for planning, or jot down reminders in a weekly planner
to guide their instructional objectives. However, your mentor
teacher or supervisor should provide you with a model lesson plan format
so that teaching expectations are congruent. The lesson plan format is
to be viewed as a teaching tool. There are many formats available
for use, and we suggest that you try the format of the county where you
are student teaching. No matter which lesson design format you select
there are several elements that need to be considered and questions that
need to be addressed when making decisions about instruction.
Top
Elements of Lesson Design
Sample Planning Guide for
a Directed Teaching Activity Sample
Lesson Plan Format
Table of Contents | Introduction
| The Teacher Intern | Planning
For Effective Instruction |
The Mentor Teacher
| The Role of the University Supervisor |
Evaluating the Performance
of the Teacher Intern |
Policies, Procedures and
Professional Ethics
Return to Teacher Education Home Page
Please contact Dorothy McKnight, Placement Coordinator,
for questions or comments about this site.
Last updated on November 25, 2002
