Do you build a new lesson plan every time you teach?
I'm asking because I'm always trying to improve my classes but if you have an approach that works with 90% of your students cumulatively do you try and shake it up or stick with a winning formula.
Alan,
This is a great question. I use the same basic lesson plan outline and I add updated details, with each new class. The presented information is the same, however minor "tweaks" are necessary in order to keep the material "fresh".
Tremayne Simpson
I also use the same lesson plan, but am constantly updating it after each class i teach. I include new information on current events related to the topic and i make notes for what works well or what to change for future classes.
Lauren,
Updating your lesson plans with subject-related current events, is an excellent idea. It is important to cite discussions in which a pop-cultural event is mentioned, because the reference could be used in a future class discussion as a catalyst for student participation.
Tremayne Simpson
I try to use the same lesson plan each day, but I also am aware of the progress of class and am prepared to not more forward if I feel my student are not comprehending the subject. I also will go a bit ahead of myself when students pick up or comprehend faster then I anticipated.
My curriculm does not change so my lesson plan stays the same most of the time. If i find a better way to explain or deomonstrate a topic, then i may include that new/better way into my lesson plan. I will always improve when i can.
Every group of students is SO different! I tried keeping my lesson plans fairly the same from term to term but I find that some groups are quick to grasp the concepts and others are really slow. And I find that it is the whole class together that either gets it, or doesn't! So I am always writing new tests and redoing my lessons for each group that I teach. I also always try to get in new guest speakers, or use new videos, etc. If I taught the exact same every term, I would be bored and my students would always know exactly what to expect.
Megan,
Excellent point. No matter how many sections you teach (of the same course), it is important to keep the content "fresh" and differentiate assignments/assessments amongst the different class groups.
Tremayne Simpson
I do the same lesson plan for most of my classes which are all hands on labs. We have projects that don't change for the most part.
The funny thing is when we do change something, we can get flack from the students because they were looking forward to the class and wanted to do the projects they had seen the class before them finish. Some felt cheated if they didn't get to do exactly the same projects.
oriole,
When the projects are changed are they drastically altered? Since they are popular, it may be a good idea to revise the projects however, keep some of the elements that excite the students.
Tremayne Simpson
I find that I can often use the same lesson plan, however; I sometimes need to alter a few assignments or methods of teaching the material based on that particular classes needs.
Not really. The course and the subject matter does not change. But there are some new things that I learn during my reading journals and research articles. These are then incoroprated into my lectures. Sometimes my lectures and presentations need editing or corrections have to be made.
I have found that even though the curriculum for the course I teach do't change, I present a different approach to how I teach each class ever session. I have been teaching 2.5 years and the classes change drastically every session from fresh out of high school students to change of career mature students. So every mod I am changing my approach of how I present the material which in essence changes my lesson plan every time I teach a particular subject.
Angela,
Sometimes, the dynamics of the class group can have an affect on the overall lesson planning. For instance, there may be a class of students that present unique challenges for the instructor, which could be used as a catalyst for revision.
Tremayne Simpson
Angela,
Sometimes, the dynamics of the class group can have an affect on the overall lesson planning. For instance, there may be a class of students that present unique challenges for the instructor, which could be used as a catalyst for revision.
Tremayne Simpson
Angela,
Sometimes, the dynamics of the class group can have an affect on the overall lesson planning. For instance, there may be a class of students that present unique challenges for the instructor, which could be used as a catalyst for revision.
Tremayne Simpson
This is a very good question. In my experience, I usually notice weaknesses in each lesson as I go through it a second and third time. After each class, I make notes for myself for how to improve that lesson the next time around. Then, the next time I am teaching the course, I tweak, discard or revise the lesson plan based on my most recent experience. Examples of this would be noticing that the textbook does not do a great job explaining a certain concept and thus finding the need to do some research to beef up my lecture notes. Another would be noticing that the lesson plan is a little light on examples to illustrate a concept. So the next time I am prepping for that lesson, I spend most of my time thinking of new and better examples that I can add in the next time around.
Anthony,
I agree. Lesson plans should consistently evolve, based on previous courses and opportunities to revise the course content.
Tremayne Simpson
