A lesson grows organically out of your
kids’ needs and abilities. But with all the new buzzwords and protocols, it can sometimes seem like an impossible maze.
Here are 7 timeless keys to a great lesson. I found that they help me organize my teaching, and I hope they help you, too.
Here are 7 timeless keys to a great lesson. I found that they help me organize my teaching, and I hope they help you, too.
1)
Your learning target
Your learning target is the starting point. It’s what you want your kids to master, and it should be front and center at all times. Make it SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-focused, and Time-bound. Keep your lesson short and lively, and then move into individual or small group work. Finally, through kid-watching, checklists, tasks, or exit activities, be sure that you’ve met your objectives.
2)
Remember: the teacher is not the star
Remember: the teacher is not the star, the children are. Students should be proactive and lead high-level discussions without always being prompted by the teacher. They should know how to use resources in the room—books, dictionaries, the internet, and anchor charts—and be free to access them. Even 5-year-olds can reflect on their own mastery of the learning target via rubrics, sharing with peers, and exit activities.