Lesson Planning
To be honest, lesson planning is one of my least favorite parts of the teaching profession. I LOVE teaching and coming up with fun ways for my students to learn. But physically sitting down and writing out all the parts of a lesson is like pulling teeth for me. 😂😩
I TOTALLY understand the importance of lesson planning. It is a way to be organized in case you need a sub, keeps you on track in teaching the state learning standards, and keeps students informed about what they are learning and what is expected of them - but that still doesn't mean I like doing it!
However, I actually really like how we've does the unit plan project for this class. It is easier for me to take on lesson planning by chunking it into pieces. I especially LOVED the 100 questions assignment. It really made me think about EXACTLY what I want my students to take away from each lesson and what I want to ask them. By doing this, I was able to think about the best ways to approach the lesson, assess it, and THEN I was able to get it on paper. Trying to do all of that at once for me is impossible. I like to think about what I think I want to do, reflect on it, come up with new/better ideas, and then implement it.
My biggest struggle is time. I come up with elaborate lesson plan ideas and then later realize I have no time to make it happen. My question for you is: do you struggle with matching engaging lesson plan ideas and time actually allowed in the classroom? How have you learned to balance the two?
I thought this was helpful to think about while writing lesson plans...
I use too feel the same with you as well! I use to hate how long it took. But now I just write out all my basic information that is needed and do not think anymore than I need to about them :) I think the engaging part and time part go together, you just have to have your student engaged at all times whether it be 5 minutes or an hour.
ReplyDeleteI love your picture! I wish that would happen! And I am with you, I have a little bit of a hard time fitting the activities in a certain amount of time, when I want more!!! Practice and making more lesson plans is how I am learning to balance the two better. Having more experience helps too.
ReplyDeleteI do like to write lesson plans but this format is still new to me. It seems like while it is the same format, the teachers all want it a little bit different. So I have procrastinated writing them. I was going to dig out the ones I have done in a previous class at Columbia and look at them before starting (thought this would jog my memory, lol) but have not dug them out yet. I am off tomorrow so this is my plan for the day. We will see if I get anything accomplished. As for your question I have not actually taught a lesson that I have planned outside of a class of adults so I really don't have the ability to say if I alot enough time. I would think however that you could improvise and plan less if you are running over because you can always find something to fill the time such as a last minute question and answer.
ReplyDeletePaige, I feel the same way you do about lesson planning. I like coming up with creative and engaging lessons for my students, but the writing component is what I least like. That is why I love your first picture because I literally stare at my computer for a long period of time wishing the lessons would type themselves! As far as your questions, I have learned that sometimes it is difficult to plan all the engaging activities in your lesson with time in the classroom. Once you are actually in the classroom and teaching the unit, I found it is important to be flexible and you may have to do some activities the next day. I taught a Pioneer unit and was written day by day, but some of the activities I was not able to get to because of time. As a teacher, you must have a Plan B at all times and be prepared with some changes.
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