Lesson Planning - Where I Start

            In order to begin planning lessons for a class, I first need to know what the objectives for the lesson are so I can reflect on what instructional method is most appropriate.  I also need to know how much I know about the content I will be teaching.  I generally review scholarly articles, book reviews and/or notes I have taken related to the topic I will be teaching.  I am always sure to research additional information about the content I teach that will be of particular interest to students.  If I have a class in which many students play sports for instance, I may research additional historical information related both sports and the lesson topic in order to spark student interest.           Secondly, I need to know student ability levels and how familiar students already are with the subject matter.  I find that when teaching social studies, it is easy to assume students have some knowledge of the subject matter from their earlier studies, but it is always best to verify this.  I often use brainstorming activities to informally assess students’ prior knowledge.  I also believe administering pre-tests early in the year is an effective way to determine student skill levels and foundational content knowledge. 

            Next, when I plan a lesson, I need to know what resources I can use to teach the lesson and assess student progress throughout the lesson and after instruction.  I need to determine the amount of class time I can devote to teaching the lesson and assessing student learning.  Once I know the resources I can use for the lesson then I reflect on the appropriate method for teaching the lesson and also develop an assessment plan.  I often seek the advice of veteran teachers or look for examples on the internet of creative and innovative ideas for teaching the lesson content.  I then adapt these ideas to fit the needs of my students and my own teaching style. 

            When lesson planning, I also need knowledge of current events, issues, and media that students are familiar with.  I can then try to make connections between lesson content and contemporary topics.  For example, I try to think about ways I can relate a popular song to a topic my class will be studying, in an effort to make lessons more relevant to my students.  Lastly, I am also sure to review the Individual Education Plans of students with special needs so I can plan on offering the appropriate accommodations for these students during the lesson.