Are you struggling to keep your class interested? If you notice that your students aren’t asking questions, don’t understand what they’re doing or showing poor performance, these may be indicators that you need to switch things up! Developing engaging lesson plans are a great strategy to enhance student motivation and improve academic achievement. In this article, we share four ways to make better lesson plans that your students will enjoy.
1. Goals First
When you start creating a lesson plan, you need to consider what the end goal is. This goal should be presented to your students at the start of the lesson, so they know what they need to do in order to be successful. Always think about your student’s current abilities and whether the goal you’ve set will be attainable for them. If it’s too hard, try making the overall lesson less complex so students can build upon their confidence.
2. Quality Resources
Consider which resources will help your students learn the information and develop their skills best. It’s essential to select high-quality resources that are engaging and facilitate differentiation. For helpful learning materials, visit the Resources for Teaching website, they have a variety of activities that will support your lesson plan for English or any other subject. Also, think about the time frame that your students will have to use these resources. Will they have an opportunity to use them over a few days or only within one lesson?
3. Build Anticipation
When you’ve got a particular skill or topic in mind, consider how you can carry out the lesson at the beginning so that your students will be motivated. A great way to get them in the mood and prepare them for the lesson is to get students to imagine themselves in a particular role (e.g., detective, spy, author, builder, poet, archaeologist etc.) as this will build anticipation. Another great way to do this is by playing a mini-game or quiz before the lesson based on the particular topic you’ll be teaching.
4. Differentiated Instruction:
Most students learn in different ways at different rates. Therefore, effective teachers consider the way in which all children will be successful. Be sure to include differentiated instruction in your lesson plans, so there are different ways to attain and present the information they have learnt. For example, students who find reading challenging can watch a video clip instead, or students can choose to present their work as a written piece or a drawing instead.
Use effective teaching resources and teacher lesson plans to ensure students are engaged and supported during lessons. When was the last time you updated your class materials and resources? Luckily, it’s never been easier to find a high-quality lesson plan for teachers and an effective teacher lesson plan template, as well as printable worksheets, task cards, posters, activities and more. If you’re looking for a lesson plan for English, Maths, History, PDHPE, Science or any subject, visit the Resources for Teaching website here: https://resourcesforteaching.com.au.