Basic and Easy Lesson Planning

I have been in many different types of classrooms. Classes for young learners, special needs, adults, teenagers, reading intervention, Literature, teaching method, test prep and more. All lessons follow the same formula:

 

1) Warmer--

Something that starts to engage the class. Usually a review of the last lesson mixed with a tie-in to the day's lesson. (Example: If the last lesson was about present simple and today's lesson is about transportation, put a sentence fill on the board about travelling. Have students discuss the verb that will complete the sentence most correctly. Or if you taught modal verbs last time and you want to teach past perfect, have a disaster situations on the board and have students come up with advice to stop it from happening again.)

 

The key here is to get your students talking about what has happened and will soon be happening. It peaks interest, no matter how minimal. Also it gives you insight into what they have learned, what they still need extra practice with and what they already know about the subject.

 

2)Modelling or the 'I do' stage---

This is where the teacher/instructor modals an example of what to do in the next activity. Whether the activity has students asking questions or looking for information in a reading, you need to demonstrate the process and point out the result. You could do the first question in the practice or throw out the first statement in a picture description. Whatever. As long as you show what your expectations are. This eliminates confusion and sets up the aim of the activity and lesson. Students need to know why they are doing something. They have to catalogue it in their minds to related it to a learning that sooner or later they will use for a test or a social interaction. [A student's mind: 'The conversation is about personal descriptions. Wait. Dud...dud..(computer brain noise). Yes, in class we did descriptions with funny photographs then I said a few things about myself. I can us that'.] This, of course, would happen faster in your student's head, but you get it.

 

3) Students work or the 'We do' stage--

Students work in a group or pairs to complete the task. You walk around the room listening to conversations, jutting down common/major errors, correcting the execution, and/or maintaining classroom management.

 

End the activity by getting answers from students then giving feedback on what you saw and heard that worked as well as what didn't.

 

4) Closing: Have a quick activity that re-enforces what the students have learned. And make it fun. You want them remembering an enjoyable class where they learned something too!

 

Example: The lesson was about present perfect then have students do 'I've Never' or 'Grammar Musical Chairs' [See Toolbox and Warmers page]

 

5) The 'You do' stage--

Can be homework or an Exit Ticket. Just something to individually test what the students have learned, provide more practice and see who is still struggling.

 

A basic lesson plan for any class follows these simple steps. Warmer, modelling, group/pair task, correction, closing, and you do. Follow the formula for any class setting. It will become easier the more you do it and you will see results in faster time.