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Lesson PlanningWalking into a class of 100 rowdy students, when expecting a small class of six well mannered ones, isn't on many teachers to do list. This may be an exaggeration of events but even with a tame group of six, a teaching beginner, without a lesson plan may find themselves with similar stress. There are teachers that curse lesson plans, arguing that they create a rigid lesson that?s unchangeable with circumstance or student numbers. There is truth to this, but for a new teacher learning the ropes this argument doesn't ring true. A lesson plan is simply a guide for a teacher, within the plan there are certain characteristics and information that are necessary and helpful. The one thing teachers should know is that a lesson plan is not law; they don't to be adhered to, word for word. If students take the lesson off on a tangent that will prove beneficial for them, follow the students, not the plan. Lesson plans give a Playdoh like structure to a class room, a form that can change and be moulded at any moment yet is always present to come back to. A lesson plan gives a teacher confidence and direction; they are a tool necessary to create a productive learning environment. An advantage for students and teachers alike. What essential things should a lesson plan entail? For starters a plan should have a basic structure. A lesson plan should be formatted in a way that?s easy for anyone to read and anyone can easy to follow. Things like class numbers are often over looked but are as important as anything else. As we talked about earlier, class of 6 is handled much differently to a class of 100. The level of students. Again, this is necessary for someone taking over the class when you are away, but also it reminds you to take note of what level your students are and with this visual you can see if they are improving. Will you need any teaching aids? This also needs to be on your plan. If you are picking up and old plan from many months ago you may have forgotten aids that may essential for the lesson. Context of the lesson is great to include because just at a glance you can skim through lesson plans and pick out one relevant to your lessons ahead. Room number... again something that you may not need to know but a relief teacher would love to know where your class is. Objectives are helpful. You should note down your personal goals for the lesson and also what you hope the students learn. When writing up your objectives its good to think about any problems or setbacks you may encounter, these problems, you can note down on your lesson plan next to a possible solution. This keeps the flow of your classroom intact so the students can get the most out of your time. Finally there is the bulk of your plan. The actual form/structure of your class. Tesol works with ESA teaching yet this is flexible and you can teach in boomerang or patchwork methods, this should all be clear in your plan. In this bulk you should explain the teaching methods you will use, if you will group the students, if and when you will use teaching aids etc. All this however is only a guide. You can never be too detailed with a lesson plan but the end game is, that if you lesson plan can?t be changed at the drop of a hat then it?s no good. A teacher should always be evaluating their class and always be changing to suit. Lesson plans are a curtail fundamental of teaching a well organized and productive class. When you are experienced enough to not have a lesson plan you will be subconsciously doing them in your head.
