Lesson Planning Strategies that Have Helped Me

1. Finding or creating a lesson plans form that works for me that also was accepted by administration:  Some years I was not allowed to use my own form and had to use the form provided by the school.  You might tweak a lesson plans form that you've sought from your department head or fellow teachers.  Here is a sample generic lesson plan form, in MS Word or PDF, and here is a sample math lesson plans form in MS Word or PDF.  Delete or add rows, tweak headings, etc.  Of course, make sure your administration will accept lessons plans on such a form before using it.

2. Utilizing the textbook and lesson plans therein: In some places there’s been a backlash against textbooks. Even though my task is to teach the state standards and not simply cover the textbook, I still use the textbook as a tool.

3. Refusing to reinvent the wheel: I frequent my state’s and district’s education website for resources. Most state and district websites have scope and sequences and lesson plans there. Even other states' education sites can be useful. Some districts maintain a district intranet where just about EVERYTHING is provided (the lesson plans, the handouts, etc.)

4. Refusing to reinvent the wheel even when I need resources beyond what’s linked at the state and district sites: I find lesson plans in books and at other sites on the web—lesson plans that are already written with modifications, already evaluated, and already tested.

5. At first having a cyclical schedule of lesson activities to simplify lesson planning (such as the activities shared at my Possible Staple Learning Activities article): Learning and work routines add structure and familiarity. You can always deviate from learning and work routines as desired. I have staple bellwork and homework review activities. I have staple vocabulary activities, staple guided practice activities, staple review activities (that some years I’ve done every Thursday, for example), to prepare for a staple end-of-the-week quiz. Of course, I stayed flexible and sometimes we deviated from these staple activities. Please click here to view a weekly bellwork recording form for students. Also, please see the Downloads link for (tweakable) staple lesson component forms.

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