You have heard the saying, “failing to plan is planning to fail.” There are no teachers or administrators who want to fail, but we must take time to plan out our year, our months, our days, and our school hours or we will fail. Learn to get in the routine of planning and making sure the “big rocks” get scheduled so everyone succeeds!
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” Luke 14:28
Prepare
Many teachers do not write lesson plans because they are not sure where to start. Here are some basics that should be included in every lesson plan:
1. Know your objectives for each lesson. You should list these somewhere on your lesson plans.
2. Include an attention getter such as a story, activity, visual aid or question.
3. Make a list of the materials that will be needed for each lesson i.e. flash cards and a stop watch for math.
4. Determine ways to involve the students in each lesson with activities such as reading, board work, or group work.
5. Assess your student’s progress with quizzes and review questions.
6. Follow-up your lessons with homework or long-term assignments.
Evaluate
Without proper evaluation, you could be teaching but the students not be learning! As you work on your lesson plans each week, you should evaluate several things:
1. Knowledge of the subject matter—both yours and the students. Determine how you will relate and integrate the subject with Scripture.
2. Your ability to convey the subject matter. Make sure you give clear directions and use a variety of visual aids.
3. The involvement of all students—call on students whose hands are not raised, give board work, walk around to check work, etc.
4. Classroom appearance and atmosphere—it should be conducive for learning, tidy, and free of clutter.
5. Classroom control—both the teacher and students should display self-control. Pay attention to the body language of your students.
6. Time management—stay on schedule!
7. The students—give tests and/or quizzes.
Students who do not understand the lesson may need you to incorporate a different approach, or may need worksheets for practice. You can also conduct a help class after school for 20-30 minutes.
Remember, failing to plan is planning to fail.
