Lesson Planning!

Planning and Preparation:

When I was a young teacher I heard a story about a first grade student. The teacher was going through the process of determining where the various students would be setting in her class.  She told Johnny, “Please set in this seat for the present.”  Of course Johnny complied and set there very content until the teacher had arranged all the students in their assigned seats.  Then Johnny raised his hand and said, “Teacher, when do I get my present?”

A cute story, right?  However, it is also one that points out that students often misunderstand the teacher’s directions.  When I was teaching social studies to the fifth grade, I had a mother tell me in parent/teacher conferences that her son did not know the meaning of many of the words that I used during lectures.  I decided to have the students raise their hand every time I used a word that they did not know the meaning of.  I was amazed at how often several students would raise their hands.  I had to really work on using appropriate vocabulary to help the students. It is important for the teacher to understand how students’ misconceptions can influence their learning.

There is another “saying” that I heard many years ago.  That saying is this: “In most cases, the minimum becomes the maximum.”  In other words, students will seldom exceed our expectations.  Therefore, it is vital for the teacher to set a high expectation for all students in the classroom.  By setting high expectations and defining clear goals tied to student outcomes, the teacher will enhance the students’ chances for success.

Learning Environment:

I have a tendency to be a “neat freak.”  I pride myself in having a neat office with everything filed in the appropriate cabinets.  As my father used to say, “A place for everything, and everything in its place.”  The classroom is really no different.  Organization is a key to success.  It is our place as teachers (learning facilitators) to manage all aspects of the learning environment. 

Here are many of the items that a master teacher manages, and manages well, each day in his/her classroom:

• Curriculum and learning materials

• Individual and group work assignments

• The learning climate (making sure it is safe, warm and caring)

• Celebration of diversity in the classroom

• Promoting creativity

• Using teaching strategies that engender enthusiasm

• Eliciting higher order thinking

As we can see, classroom management is much more than just keeping paper off the floor and the desks in neat rows.  It is providing for a learning environment that truly celebrates the wonder of learning!

The Professional Educator:

I have often heard teachers lament that they wish they were treated as professionals.  Well, I’m reminded of something my grandmother used to say, “Pretty is as pretty does.”  How true it is!  If we want to be treated as professionals, we must behave as professionals.  So, what does that mean?  Professionals are constantly improving their skills and enhancing their knowledge.  Would we really want to go to a doctor who had not had any additional training for five or more years?  The answer is, of course, no!  We, as professional educators, must attend to our own professional growth.  “Life-long Learning” must not be a slogan for the professional educator but a life style. 

I started teaching in 1968 when I was 19 years old.  I have often said that I wish I could go back to those early days knowing what I know now.  I would have been a much better teacher.  I can still recall the unbridled enthusiasm that I had each day in the classroom – I taught fifth grade history.  I had a lot of fun and the students did as well.  We did a lot of neat things in our classes.  There was a great deal of learning going on.  However, if I would have had the knowledge that we have today about the teaching process, coupled with the enthusiasm and vigor of my youth, my students would have learned much more.