One thing that is important for preservice teachers is to master is the art of lesson planning. We know it isn’t easy, and it can be time-consuming at the best of times.
Experienced teachers know that a good lesson takes into account a range of factors in order for it to be successful.
We are here to guide you through the steps we use to plan and create a successful lesson ready for your next prac. Due to all we have to share, we have put together this two part blog series on lesson planning.
In the first part of the series we will share our lesson planning checklist. It will help you stay on track and remind you to include everything needed for a successful lesson. Part 2 focuses on time-saving tips to try when lesson planning as a pre-service teacher.
Before we dive into the checklist, if you take nothing else away from this post, remember this: It is vital that you constantly refer to the curriculum and are clear on what the students are expected to achieve. This will keep you from deviating off track and help tailor your lesson so it is developmentally and age-appropriate.
Here is Rainbow Sky’s checklist for an awesome preservice lesson plan
Use this as a guide during or after planning to make sure you have considered the following points (find a FREE printable version at the end of this post):
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- Are the outcomes being met? Review the curriculum / your state syllabus. Have you identified what the students are expected to achieve?
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- Have you considered differentiation opportunities? Think working at, working beyond and working below.
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- Email your lesson plans to your mentor teacher (at least 24 hours in advance), so the lesson can be checked, and any changes can be made.
- Prepare the resources you will need. Handy hint: the resources should be recorded in your lesson plan, so use this as your checklist.
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- Prepare your lesson observation sheets ready for your mentor teacher so they can provide you with constructive feedback. Write your reflections and evaluations on the lesson while it is fresh in your mind.
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- How will you assess student learning?
- File all the paperwork (feedback, reflections, lesson plans) in a prac folder or planner for your supervisor to check when they visit.
- How will you assess student learning?
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Bonus tip: It is important to assess where your students are at with their learning. If unsure, use a pre-assessment to ascertain students’ understanding (your mentor teacher can help with this and may give you some data or areas to focus on). For example exit tickets are an excellent quick formative assessment that helps establish if students are on the right track.
Remember, as a preservice teacher; you are on prac to learn. No one is expecting you to have perfect lesson plans from the start.
We hope this checklist helps you get off to a successful start. Wish you had a printable copy? We have got you covered! Click here to download this FREE checklist and more essential strategies to help you have a successful prac!
Need more lesson planning help? Part 2 is all about time-saving strategies when planning lessons for your prac.
Save these ideas for later and pin the image below:
Want even more help to impress your mentor teacher and have an awesome prac experience? Check out our Practicum Survival Guide. It includes a range of helpful forms and checklists, as well as loads of tips we have learned over the years teaching and supervising pre-service teachers! It will help you with everything you need to know for a successful practicum.
What to read next:
12 Tips for Preservice Teachers going on Prac
3 Common Mistakes Teachers Make when running Reading Groups
