- Bran Hicks M.Ed.
What are the Qualities of a Great Lesson Plan?
Updated: Mar 11
Three types of lesson plans:
The one you write with thoughts from your head to get you through next week.
The one you write for admin to meet the requirements of some new initiative.
The one you want to follow from a curriculum book because it accounts for every possible scenario and has optional side activities.
A Great lesson plan can be followed step by step and provide students with the information they need to learn. It should be easy for the teacher to explain, implement, and assess student progress. A great lesson plan should include objectives and a clear explanation of what will be taught and how it will be taught. The lesson plan should also include materials needed for the activity or discussion (if any) and a timeline for completing the task. It should also provide an assessment of learning at the end to evaluate student mastery of the material. Finally, a great lesson plan should be flexible enough to allow for improvisation and adaptation if needed to better meet each student’s needs.
1. Clear objective: A great lesson plan has a clear and concise objective that is easy to understand. This helps ensure that the students can focus on the task at hand and know what they are working towards.
2. Well-organized content: The content of a great lesson plan is well-organized and easy to follow. This makes it less likely that students will become lost or confused and helps keep them on track.
3. Student-centered approach: A great lesson plan takes a student-centered approach, which means that it is designed to meet the individual needs of each student. This ensures that all students can learn and grow in a supportive environment.
4. Engaging activities: A great lesson plan should include engaging activities that keep students motivated and interested in the material. These can be hands-on projects, discussions, games, or any other activity that will promote learning and spark interest.
5. Assessment: Finally, a great lesson plan includes an assessment of the student’s learning. This assessment should be based on the lesson's objective and provide feedback so that teachers and students can determine if they have met the goal. Teachers can track individual progress and overall success with a given lesson by including assessments.
The best practice is to plan ahead. Start with a blank lesson plan template and fill in the details as you go along. Think about how each activity or discussion fits into the overall goal of the lesson, what materials are needed, and how you will assess student learning at the end. With a great lesson plan, teachers can set their students up for success and ensure that each student reaches their learning goals.
A well-crafted lesson plan is an essential tool for any teacher. It helps to organize the content, keep students on track, and meet the individual needs of each student. A great lesson plan should also include engaging activities that promote learning and assess student progress. By following these tips, teachers can create a successful lesson plan that will help their students learn and grow. Are you feeling inspired to create your own stellar lesson plan? Let us know how it goes in the comments below!