11 Planning for Instruction Planning for Instruction Teachers

11 Planning for Instruction

Planning for Instruction • Teachers cannot simply decide what they would like to teach • Society, parents, employers, and teachers all have a stake in making the educational system work well © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

For Discussion • Who has an influence on what is taught in your state? © Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Objective • Analyze the types of information included in the educational standards for a state. © Symbiot/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Standards: What Should Students Know? • Educational standards (instructional goals) are statements of what students are expected to know and be able to do • Standards may be national, state, or developed by local districts • Standards are linked to the move for accountability in education © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

For Discussion • What are the pros and cons of designing curriculum around educational standards? © Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Objective • Compare curricula for the same course or level from two different sources. © Ilya Andriyanov/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Curriculum: What Will Be Taught? • Curriculum is much more specific than standards about the content expected to be taught • Decisions about what to include in a curriculum may be heavily debated • May be developed by states, local school districts, and individual schools continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Curriculum: What Will Be Taught? • Development process usually involves a team of administrators, teachers, and others • The curriculum organizes the content in a logical way • It sets a plan for the main concepts and skills taught at each grade © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Objective • Explain the relationship between instructional units and course plans. © Franck Boston/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Course Planning: How Will Learning Be Organized? • A course plan is based on curriculum, but adapted for the teacher, students, and teaching circumstances • Typically includes a series of instructional units • Must incorporate content and skills required to meet standards • A road map for day-to-day teaching continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Course Planning: How Will Learning Be Organized? • Influences and variables include – class and school schedules—how often does the class meet? for how long? – characteristics of the students—make reasonable assumptions based on what you know about child development – instructional units—sequence of topics in a logical order, often in outline form continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Course Planning: How Will Learning Be Organized? • Influences and variables include – opportunities for learning—special opportunities, such as an election, might mean adjusting topics in the schedule – teacher characteristics—the course plan will reflect the teacher’s individual strengths, interests, and teaching style continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Course Planning: How Will Learning Be Organized? • A course plan helps the teacher make sure everything that must be taught is included in the schedule • As the course progresses, the teacher will have to make adjustments © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Objective • Identify and describe the key parts of a lesson plan. © Coka/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Lesson Plans: How Will Learning Take Place? • Lesson plans are also called instructional plans or teaching plans • Help teachers prepare for class by – documenting what is being taught – helping teachers think through what they will teach – better preparing teachers to teach the class – allowing substitutes to step in © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Elements of a Lesson Plan • May be a standard format determined by the school • Three basic parts include – instructional objectives – learning activities – assessment © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

For Reflection • What do you think will be the most difficult part of preparing lesson plans? Why? © Archipoch/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Objective • Write an educational objective that includes all necessary components. © armo. rs/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Instructional Objectives • Lessons are developed to meet the instructional objectives, which – provide a focus for teaching – break down educational standards into smaller segments – are also called performance objectives continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Instructional Objectives • Well-written objectives – specify observable behavior—verb identifies how students will be learning – identify an action or product—concrete evidence that students are learning continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Instructional Objectives • Well-written objectives – describe any conditions—the circumstances under which the students will be learning – indicate acceptable level of performance— specifics on what determines success © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Learning Activities • Learning activities are the experiences used to help students learn the content continued © Jamie Wilson/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Learning Activities • Discussions • Labs • Hands-on activities • Debates • Problem solving • Field trips • Computer exercises • Simulations • Experiments © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Assessment Strategies • Link directly to instructional objectives • Means for evaluating that learning has taken place © Alexander Raths/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

For Discussion • Which type of learning activities do you plan to use most often in your classroom? © Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Other Lesson Plan Elements • Title—use one that is clear, descriptive • Topic—concept or skill being taught • Standards—those the plan achieves • Students/participants—grade level and subject area • Time period—how long the lesson plan will take to complete continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Other Lesson Plan Elements • Introduction – Captures students’ interest and attention – conveys teacher’s expectations – Links what students will be learning to what they already know • Step-by-step procedures—thinking through specific steps that will help the lesson go smoothly (including transitions) continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Other Lesson Plan Elements • Guided practice/independent practice— designed to reinforce and apply learning, either with feedback or as a personal practice activity • Summary—reviews what was learned and helps students apply it continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Other Lesson Plan Elements • Materials and equipment—everything needed to teach the lesson • Adaptations for students with special needs —ways to modify activities • Notes—additional information, reminders, and ideas for improvement © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

For Reflection • Why do you think it is important to keep notes of ways to improve lesson plans? © Archipoch/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Objective • Create a lesson plan on a chosen topic. © Matt Antonino/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Finding Ideas and Inspiration • Experience will inspire teaching opportunities • Talk with other teachers • Read teaching magazines or websites • Collaborate in a team to write teaching plans • Keep notes and accumulate materials © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Making Plans Come Alive • Introduction – Capture students’ interest and attention – Engage them in learning – Let students know what you expect them to learn and how you want them to work – Link the learning to prior knowledge or experiences continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Making Plans Come Alive • Activities – use variety – incorporate an unexpected element – include opportunities for different learning styles, abilities, and interests – allow time for feedback, review, and reinforcement • Practice and be prepared to adapt © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

For Discussion • How might you introduce a topic to capture your students’ attention? © Michael D. Brown/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Evaluating the Lesson • Make notes about what worked • Think about modifications to improve the lesson plan © Darrin Henry/Shutterstock © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Key Points • Standards are developed at national, state, and local levels • Curriculums provide suggested or required classroom guidelines • Teachers use the curriculum to create a course plan • Lesson plans are specific day-to-day plans for teaching © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Review • What are educational standards? Ø statements of what students are expected to know and be able to do at certain points in their education • What are three most basic parts of a lesson plan? Ø instructional objectives, learning activities, assessment continued © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Review • What characteristics do well-written objectives include? Ø specify observable behavior; identify an action or product; describe any conditions; indicate acceptable level of performance • ____ are smooth ways to move from one part of the lesson to the next. Ø Transitions © Goodheart-Willcox Co. , Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.