Lesson Plans

Why Prepare Lesson Plans? The primary purpose of lesson plans is to guide instruction and to provide a "roadmap" to direct the teacher in helping students achieve specific learning outcomes. Designing lessons is a thinking process in which teachers structure learning. The format for daily lesson plans should provide for ease of use by the teacher or substitute and should not be unreasonably complex. Lesson plans should incorporate the Virginia Standards of Learning to reflect the efforts to meet these standards for all students. Lesson Design and Performance Models According to Dr. Madeline Hunter, effective teachers have a methodology when planning and presenting a lesson. Hunter found that no matter what the teacher's style, grade level, subject matter, or economic background of the students a properly taught lesson contained eight elements that enhanced and maximized learning. She labeled the elements and began two decades of teacher training. The elements are referred to as Lesson Design, Target Teaching, or Clinical Teaching, and are used as reference for assessing teacher effectiveness. Lesson Design I. Anticipatory Set (focus) A short activity or prompt that focuses the students' attention before the actual lesson begins. Used when students enter the room or in a transition. A hand-out given to students at the door, review question written on the board, "two problems" on the overhead are examples of AS. II. Purpose (objective) Students are told the purpose of the lesson, why the students need to learn it, what they will be able to "do", and how they will show learning. III. Input (lesson) The vocabulary, skills, and concepts the teacher will impart to the students - the "stuff" the kids need to know in order to be successful. IV. Modeling (show) The teacher shows in graphic form or demonstrates what the finished product looks like - a picture worth a thousand words. V. Guided Practice The teacher leads the students through the steps necessary to perform the skill using the trimodal approach - hear/see/do. VI. Checking For Understanding (CFU) Questions, games, drawing, quizzes-a variety of techniques are used to check for understanding. VII. Independent Practice Students practice on their own the skills just taught. VIII. Closure A review of the lesson Tell me/show me what you have learned today.