How to make Teachers Lesson Plans

Teachers need a detailed lesson plan.

Effective lesson plans are essential for teachers in all disciplines and fields. Lesson plans allow a teacher to set specific student learning goals and identify the concrete the steps and activities to achieve those aims. When going through teacher training courses, teachers receive instruction on planning activities and organizing lesson plans that will be specific to their subject and certification. While the disciplines may vary, all lesson plans serve as a guide to help student learning with instruction in a manageable and thoughtful way.

Things You'll Need

• Word processor

Instructions

1. Open a new document and write a heading to the lesson plan. Include the date, your name, the name of the class, department, title of the lesson and any additional information that will be relevant to your records. This can include period, unit, lesson, location and time. Save the document.

2. Write down the learning aim(s) or objective(s) of the lesson in bullet point or paragraph form. If necessary, break down into subpoints.

3. List all the materials needed for the lesson. Note where worksheets or electronic presentations can be found, or if possible, include them in the document appendix.

4. Write the outline of the class detailing specifically how the learning aim or objective will be achieved. In the introductory section, detail how you will engage the students with the topic or material. List specifically how you will teach the material. Then include how the students will practice what they have learned.

5. Write down the specific sequence of steps and activities and estimate of how much time will be spent on each aspect of the lesson.

6. Include concrete ways that you will be able to check in with your students to see if they have reached the learning aims. Depending on the discipline and content of the course, check back methods can vary from quizzes, language practice and group debates. Another method is to have the students write a "one minute paper" where they write the most important take-away points of the lesson -- in one minute.

7. Write any lecture notes or annotations to any electronic presentation slides that will be used in your lecture or teaching section of the lesson.

8. Make a few ideas into bullet points at the end of the detailed lesson outline. These include what can be left out or what can be added as an additional activity should the lesson schedule change.

9. Review the lesson plan. Ensure that it covers all of the material necessary and that it offers concrete ways for students to reach the learning aim or objective.

10. Save and print the lesson plan. Use the lesson plan in class, file for future use, pass along to a substitute teacher or share with a teaching instructor or supervisor for feedback.

Tips & Warnings

• Make your lesson plan detailed enough so another teacher in your discipline could take over your class without having to contact you for further information.

• Expect that lessons will not always go according to plan. The lesson plan will help you better understand the goals of the lesson and what you want to see your students accomplish. You can change the plan to fit the schedule.

References

• "Educator's Reference Desk: Write a Lesson Plan Guide"
• British Council: Writing Emails Lesson Plan
• "Education World: Lesson Plans"

Resources

• Educators Reference Desk: Lesson Plans
• Public Broadcasting Service: Teachers