Lesson Planning
Being prepared is crucial for student success. At the beginning of each year, I begin with a lesson plan template. This template helps me to stay organized, know exactly what needs to get done, and leaves me room to reflect and make changes. I keep these plans each year both in a binder and on the computer so that I am not "reinventing the wheel" each year I teach, yet still am refining my lessons and teachings to meet the needs of each year's students.
Differentiation
When I develop a lesson, I always ask myself the following:
- What do I want my students to know?
- How will I know if they have learned it?
- What will I do if they don't know it?
- What will I do if they already know it?
Instead of thinking of each of these questions as having a straight-forward answer, I think of each as having a scaffolding answer.
For example, "What do I want my students to know?" You want your students to know how authors use satire to enhance character development, develop the plot, and support the theme. But, I'm not done yet.
Let's be real. Our classrooms have students that range from reading and writing several grade levels below of where they should be to students that read and write several grade levels above where they should be. You've gone over satire, theme, and character development many times over many months. But you still must be prepared for those students who still don't know. The students who ask, "What is satire?" And, you know in your head the names of those students.
Today's presentation will help you to plan effectively in order to create lesson plans that involved student-centered learning, differentiated instruction, and effective & efficient feedback.
Click on the link below to view the presentation. More links will be provided soon!