Lesson plans are the blueprint for a successful class and contain the structure that the teacher will bring to the class.
Classroom
Why I Rely Less On My Lesson Plans
Lesson plans are the blueprint for a successful class and contain the structure that the teacher will bring to the class.
They include the topic to be covered, the plan’s objectives, and the desired outcomes for the class. These goals and activities provide a guidepost for the class overall and allow teachers to obtain the desired results for their students.
Becoming less reliant on lesson plans doesn’t mean you stop using them altogether. It simply means that based on the day or the class, you feel comfortable mixing things up and trying different approaches. As an experienced teacher, a well-thought-out lesson plan is still vital. It is just more of a flexible document than one written in stone. Steps for a successful lesson plan:
- Objective/Purpose – define the desired outcome for the class or subject module
- Input Modeling/Modeled Practice – how will those outcomes be realized?
- Check for Understanding – ensure that the class understands the subject matter that has been covered
- Guided and Independent Practice – continue with a group or individual work to reinforce the topic
Education resources
$2.40
$3.00
-20% Off
Teachers don’t always need to rely on their lesson plans
As teachers gain experience, they can instinctively know the best methods to which the class will respond best. The lesson plan becomes less of a road map and more of an overall plan for desired outcomes. Students are living beings who require flexibility. There may be days when a teacher knows that the class is just not up to the lesson plan as it is currently written. There needs to be some room for flexibility when these situations arise.
Of course, having a well-thought-out lesson plan is needed, but the point is that it is not always necessary to adhere strictly to the plan. More experienced teachers with deep knowledge and understanding of the subject matter can take a looser approach to certain classes. Some teachers may have certain areas where they feel most comfortable sticking with their plans with no deviations. If you feel this way in one area, it does not mean you should adopt this approach throughout all subject areas.
The most important thing is that the students gain the knowledge they need to excel in the subject matter. A good teacher will ensure that whatever method they use for the lesson, the class is grasping the information they need. As you progress through your career, you will gain a deeper comfort level that will allow you to go “off-plan” more than you would feel comfortable doing when you started teaching. If you do teach with less reliance on your plan, remember to include periodic check-ins with the class to ensure that they are getting the knowledge they need.
Know the rules before you bend them rules
Lesson plans for a more experienced teacher may take a back burner to their instincts, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need to be completed. Lesson plans are an essential part of teaching and must be in place in case of absence or any other reason why another teacher may need to fill in for you. Additionally, without a lesson plan, you will lose the focus that comes with having a road map in place as you navigate through the school year. That said, there are abundant opportunities when there is plenty of flexibility to go “off-plan”.
Relying less on lesson plans is simply the natural progression of becoming more comfortable as a teacher. If you are in a situation where you feel that more flexibility with your stated plans will benefit your students, there’s no reason not to proceed in that direction! Trust your judgment and experiment a little. It may be a new and exciting outcome for you and your students.
