A good lesson plan keeps every class focused and organised.
A lesson plan is a teacher’s written guide for one lesson. It shows what students will learn, how the teacher will teach it, and how the teacher will check the result. Many styles of lesson plans exist, but they all share the same basic features. In this article, you will learn what those features are and how to write your own.
What Is a Lesson Plan?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to teaching, and every teacher plans in a slightly different way. However, one element never changes: the learning objectives. These objectives are the goals you want your students to reach by the end of the lesson.
Good objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. In other words, they describe what students will be able to do after the lesson. Once you know the objectives, you can plan the activities and materials. This is where your creativity comes in, so experiment until you find a style that suits you and your class.
What Is the Purpose of a Lesson Plan?
A lesson plan outlines the key points, goals and objectives of a particular lesson. As a result, the lesson runs smoothly and efficiently, and the teacher is far more likely to achieve the intended outcomes. Besides saving time in class, a plan also helps you stay calm when the lesson does not go as expected.
Who Should Have a Lesson Plan?
Every teacher should have one. A lesson plan helps you organise your thoughts and map out what you will teach and how you will teach it. It also lets you track your students’ progress and understanding over time.
No single right way to write a lesson plan exists, but a few elements are essential. First, decide what you want your students to learn. Then develop the activities and materials that will help them reach that goal.
Keep in mind that students do not all learn in the same way. For this reason, include a variety of activities and materials, so that every learner has a chance to understand the topic.
What Should a Lesson Plan Include?
Every lesson plan should contain the following:
- Date, class and subject: these details tell you exactly where the lesson fits in the term.
- Topic and objectives: they state what students will achieve.
- Materials needed: they list the resources you must prepare beforehand.
- Activities: they describe what you and the students will do, step by step.
- Assessment: it shows how you will check understanding.
- Assignment: it gives students practice after class.
How to Make a Lesson Plan: Step by Step
Creating a lesson plan can seem daunting, but it does not have to be. If you follow a few simple steps, you can build a well-organised, outcome-based plan.
- Identify the learning objectives. Ask what you want students to achieve by the end of the lesson. Write the objectives down and make them SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. For example, “By the end of this lesson, students will be able to identify three types of rock.”
- Select suitable teaching methods and materials. Choose those that will best help your students meet the objectives. If you are teaching rocks, for instance, you might use real rock samples, pictures or a rock cycle diagram.
- Plan the sequence of events. Decide which activities you will do and in what order. Make sure each activity matches your objectives.
- Estimate the time for each activity. This keeps the lesson on track, so you can meet every objective before the bell rings.
- Assess your students at the end of the lesson. A short quiz, oral questions or a written exercise will show how well they understood the topic. Finally, use the results to adjust your next lesson.
Lesson Plan Examples You Can Use
Seeing a finished plan makes the steps easier to follow. For instance, you can read our free sample in the SS3 English Language lesson plan for first term, or browse the Lagos State Primary 1 to 6 lesson notes and plans for ready-made primary school resources.
Tricks of the Trade
Lesson planning is essential to a successful school year, but writing every plan yourself takes many hours. Therefore, you can try a digital lesson plan, or you can ask us to help. Our experts prepare plans for you quickly, so you can hand over the stress of writing and focus on teaching.