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Download lesson plan template in Microsoft Word format.
Class Planning Have You Stumped? Try This Sample Lesson Plan
Are you in need of a sample lesson plan that could help you effectively structure a specific class period(s)? Do you dread the thought of creating lesson plans for each and every period you teach? You’re probably not alone, in fact, if you were to take a poll/survey among elementary and secondary school teachers, most would probably admit that aside from grading papers, creating lesson plans is their least favorite classroom chore. Despite the tediousness involved in creating this document, however, most school districts will require it, which is why any sample you can get your hands on should be treated like pure gold. To help you in this “collection process,” here we will cover one such sample in-depth, and show you why the format we present here can significantly aid in student learning.
A Closer Look at a Sample Lesson Plan
Every school/school district has their own method for creating lesson plans, and every college and university that teachers attend seem to have their own ideas, too. This is why, perhaps, there seems to be no universal rule on how these documents are created. The truth about creating lesson plans is this: there really is no right or wrong way to do it. Each class you teach will be different, and you’ll need to write lesson plans based on the strengths and weaknesses of each class, as well as your own personal strengths with regard to teaching modalities. However, you will need to include certain elements in each lesson plan—elements which are designed to measure and demonstrate comprehension and retention. Some of these are listed in the sample lesson plan below:
• Subject. The class subject (mathematics, history, etc.) should be listed on top.
• Period. If you teach different subjects, or if say, one class is more advanced, it is helpful to list the class period towards the top also.
• Duration. Some lesson plans will span more one than one class session, so try to estimate the duration of the lesson in terms of periods.
• Materials. The materials that both you and the class will need to successfully navigate the lesson plan should be listed so you can be prepared ahead of time.
• Overview. The overview is a short paragraph that generally describes the content of the lesson.
• Learning Objectives. The objectives you create for a given lesson, usually 3-4, will serve as the rubric when you complete your evaluation later.
• Motivation. Think of the motivation as sort of an ice breaker—an activity to get the students’ attention and prepare them for the lesson.
• Presentation and Discussion. This part of the lesson plan is where you are front and center or “on stage.” This is where you will impart the required knowledge using lectures, discussions and visual aids.
• Assignment. Assignments can either be in-class or taken as homework and are designed to reinforce what was learned in the presentation phase.
• Assessment. This vital part of the lesson, whether it’s a quiz, exam, report or project, will give you an inclination of how well your students retained the information.
• Reflection. Reflecting on the lesson plan after it’s concluded can be useful in determining how you would change or tweak it the next time around.
This may look like a rather meaty lesson plan, but keep in mind that most components will require only a few sentences or more. This type of lesson plan, according to experts, is ideal because it not only covers all of the elements that most districts require; it also helps you organize your class sessions so that each student has the best chance to learn.