Powerful lesson planning isn't about strategies; it's about knowing students' interests and needs and presenting content in ways that maximize engagement and learning. With the level of diversity in the typical classroom, however, this is a tall order. I have found that, by breaking the planning process into steps and maintaining a clear focus, it can be achieved. Here's what I've learned.
When I first began teaching, my lesson planning looked a little like someone trying to tackle a 5K before even attempting to jog a city block. I wanted to take on everything in one lesson. Over time, I've learned to focus my lessons on a main topic, like plot elements, a main idea, or comparing fact and opinion. Simple topics often have application across content areas. A simple starting point also makes it easier to extend learning objectives for higher-level thinkers or break them down for struggling students.
Next, I try to incorporate multiple modalities for learning. I always include writing, collaboration, oral discussions (crucial for ESOL students), and some technological component. This may seem overwhelming, but if your lesson plan follows a basic and adaptable template, you will be able to identify opportunities for multimodal learning throughout the lesson. Whether your school prescribes a certain lesson format or you create your own, just remember to keep this planning template simple. Small steps lead to great accomplishments if you stay focused on your original objectives and keep students at the heart of your planning.
Finally, I aim to end a learning experience with a captivating activity that wraps up my lesson and allows students to transition to the next lesson with excitement. I don't want this activity to be overly complicated, but I do want to keep kids energized so that they will stay engaged for the next step. Some of the games I use for closing a lesson include call-out vocabulary (choosing a word from the lesson and asking for a definition, synonym, or antonym), multiplication fact race (in which players advance as they respond correctly to multiplication problems), around the world, or an interactive Kahoot! quiz on the topic we are studying. The key to any closing activity is to have your students finish that topic or the class period wanting to come back and learn more.
Now that you have the gist of my three precepts for powerful lesson planning, let's fill in the gaps. Take a look at a simple plan that has worked for my English students but could be adapted to work for a science, social studies, or math lesson.
A Sample Plan
Topic: Plot elements
Warm-Up: Post a picture on the board and give students two minutes to write about it. (This quick write opens up student thinking for the lesson.) Allow three to five minutes for students to discuss the picture either as a whole class, in small groups, or with a partner.
Whole Group (I Do): Watch a quick 30-second clip of a roller coaster and ask the students to discuss what it has in common with a story. Share a plot diagram that looks like a roller coaster and have the students label and discuss the sections. This becomes a resource tool for them.
Participated Learning (We Do): Watch a short video of the classic Three Little Pigs story—but with a twist (there are many versions online, such as this one or this one). After watching the video, fill in a blank plot diagram as a class using open discussion. The students will be captivated by the "twist" in the story.
Independent Work (You Do): Ask students to view or read another version of The Three Little Pigs and diagram the plot elements on their own. For higher-level students, you may provide a more complex text to analyze and diagram. After 10 or 15 minutes, have the students find a partner and compare and contrast their plot diagrams.
Wrap-Up: Hold a one-minute discussion on questions and challenges encountered while diagramming the plot elements of the story. Depending on how much time is left in class (transitions can eat away minutes if you're not careful), call out definitions of concept terminology and ask students to reply with the appropriate academic vocabulary or an example of the term demonstrated in the stories.
Extension Activity/Homework: With new knowledge of plot elements and how they affect the overall experience of the story, ask students to write their own twist on The Three Little Pigs (or another story read in class). Students can write an alternate ending, put themselves in the story, or change the plot to incorporate 21st century themes.
This simple plan can be tweaked for any grade level or content area. The main goal is that the lesson engages students in writing, technology, many types of collaboration, and independent practice—all of which inspire them to return for more the next day.
Don't forget that you became a teacher because you love seeing the spark in a student's eyes. Lesson planning doesn't have to be elaborate to be powerful. Keep it simple yet purposeful and incorporate strategies you already know.