Reflection 4: Jen's Template of Lesson Plan

Hi there! Yea, its me again. Just to start off today's post, here's a photo of my friends and me being silly! Today's post is basically on my 4th class reflection on Pedagogy. WOW! Times flies! 

Well, today's class is about lesson plan. We are exposed to what a lesson plan is and I came to realise that being a teacher is not as easy as I think it would be. From my understanding, a lesson plan is a very important thing as it is the skeleton of the whole lesson. A good designed lesson plan determines the effectiveness of teaching and learning in class (mostly). Lesson plan are different for all as to cater to different types of students and there is no fixed template to design a lesson plan. A lesson plan must be specific and must be clearly describe in detail.In order to prepare students for success, lessons must be planned thoroughly and include all components of an essential curriculum. 

Our task for the week: BASED ON TOPIC LESSON PLAN, DESIGN YOUR OWN STRUCTURE OF LESSON PLAN

We are to evaluate and analyse 3 samples of lesson plan and share our views regarding it.

Based on those 3, here are some items that I think should be omitted and items to be added.

Remove:

1. Educational Emphasis

I think this item is not a necessity as it is less important and not much information can be obtained from it. 

2. Learning Areas

Should be remove because it's not neccesary as it is already included in the topic of the lesson

Add

1.Questions to ask in class 

This is to remind the teacher what to ask the students to test their understanding. Sometimes, teachers might forget. Thus, prepare before entering class and include in lesson plans are the best way to keep track  

2. Teaching aids/materials

This is to ensure that all materials needed to conduct the class are well prepared and to prevent any items to be forgotten when conducting class. This also to ensure planned activities can be carried out smoothly with the materials

JEN'S TEMPLATE OF LESSON PLAN

Justifications

1.The title format should should be as above 

To provide a clear and concise lesson plan written for what subject, what topic and what group of students is that particular lesson plan for

2. Date and time/duration 

To know when the class take place and how long the lesson will be

3. Level of Proficiency is optional as some teachers may evaluate wrongly and there are also multiple levels in one class which makes it difficult to mark the class in which level. 

To help teacher to set the level of difficulties in teaching. For the beginner stage, teacher may have to include teaching from basic while for expert, teacher can include tougher questions to match the students level of understanding

4. Number of Students is optional but it's better to have

To help the teacher know the exact amount of students during that lesson so as to better prepare and plan any activities that suits the amount of students

5. Background knowledge is also important 

For the teachers to design the lesson as to prevent repetition of topic/sub topic in any lesson. Background knowledge means lesson taught in the previous class and not referring to knowledge the student already know

6. Learning Objective is what the teacher hope students will obtain through the lesson. It also describe the goals, aims and intentions of the teacher who teaches the lesson

7. Lesson Outcome is what the student needs to be able to do at the end of the lesson. It also describe or list measurable and essential mastered content-knowledge, reflecting skills, competencies, and knowledge that students have achieved and can demonstrate upon successfully completing a course. An assessable outcome can be displayed or observed and evaluated against criteria through assignments, test or evaluation.

8.Teaching and Learning Approach

To know the methods and pedagogy used to teach students, explain how teachers will get students to achieve the learning objective and outcomes to ensure a effective teaching and learning

It's better to put the detailed description of lesson plan in a table form to make things organised and easily understandable. The activity and duration must be specific to provide a clear understanding. There must be a  + sign beside every duration mentioned to indicate the approximate time allocated for there will be plus minus minutes for each section because sometimes things doesn't goes the way we want. Content column must have to describe in detail the activities that are to be carried out. Set induction is a must as it is the first stage where introduction of the topics happens. Creative activities like simple dance or games can be use to attract the students to the lesson. The development stages should be separated and stately clearly stages by stages to make things more organised and also to make time allocation more specific in order to complete the lesson on time. Both teaching and learning method should also be separated to provide a clear cut of what the teacher and students should do in each activity. Rationale should also be in a lesson plan to provide valid reasons behind each activity and to ensure that the learning objectives and learning outcomes are achieved from the lesson. Teaching aids is important to ensure that all materials needed to conduct the class are well prepared and to prevent any items to be forgotten when conducting class. This also to ensure planned activities can be carried out smoothly with the materials

Follow up activity is also important as it reflects on what activity the teacher plan to do at the end of class to test the students understanding. This also help remind teacher what they have assigned in the previous class. Self-reflection is optional but it's best to have to obtain feedback from students and to self-evaluate themselves. Teacher can also take the opportunity to self-reflect her teaching and if there's any improvement needed. Appendix should be included to show prove of activities/ worksheet/ handouts / notes given out during class. Reference is also optional but then it's still recommended to be put in so that the reliability and  credibility of the lesson can be proved especially when there is inspection. 

I think that' all from me now. Do give me some feedback be it positive or negative regarding this template as I am still in the process of learning. All feedbacks are very much appreciated and I believe it will help me to learn more.

As per ritual, I leave you with a qoute.

"If the plan doesn't work, change the plan, NEVER the goal."

Till then,