A lesson plan, as the name suggests, is a framework for classroom instruction. Everything should not necessarily be written down of course. However, by putting your ideas on paper, your lessons are more likely to be coherent, paced, and in the end, both you and your students will benefit from it. The lesson plan also helps to keep track of everything you have done with your students, a tool to build upon, and an essential resource to leave for your successor at the end of your contract.
How to make a lesson planThere is no perfect model to design your lesson plan. Because the context is different for everyone, the lesson plan also needs to be different. It should reflect your own teaching style and be coherent enough for you to read. Nonetheless, you want to make sure your lesson plan includes the following:
Games and activities must have a purpose. They have little meaning to the students' learning process if they stand alone. To know what your objectives are, ask yourself what you would like your students to be able to do by the end of a lesson (i.e. ask for permission, express their feelings, etc.) Make sure that you and the students can achieve these goals. Objectives should therefore be realistic and take in consideration factors such as available time and resources. Write your objectives down and read them before going to class. This will help you focus on what's really important. Even if your activities don't go so well, if you've managed to reach you fixed objectives, then the lesson is a success.
With video games, advertisement, movies and music, students are ultra-stimulated, and it is not surprising that they sometimes look bored when we teach. Your lessons should follow a structure that will keep the students alert and interested. One way of doing this is to sequence activities just like a movie: Preview, opening, action, climax and ending.
Get the students prepared for the lesson using 'icebreakers'. These are very short activities that do not necessarily have a language focus, but will certainly get all students to participate. Simon Says, Draw.win.or.loose, miming games, mystery words, and spelling challenges are a few examples.
Then, give the students an idea of what they will be studying in this new lesson. If you started the lesson before, tie in by recalling previous activities and check their comprehension with simple questions.
Don't tell them... show them!!!
You should also bring props and pictures that will tickle their curiosity and make them want to know more. When explaining, give at least one example and invite students to demonstrate it in front of the classroom. Choose students that are likely not to be shy.
The electricity ran out and you can't use the television as planned? You forgot your pictures home and don't know what to do with your students now? The same student keeps interrupting your activities and you always panic? No worries 'cause you already knew that was going to happen and you planned a alternate activities just in case. Often, we plan lessons quickly and forget that these little problems can happen. Always make sure that if an activity goes wrong, you have another waiting... just in case. Think of what could possibly happen and find ways to solve problems beforehand.
More time should be spent on the activity itself rather than explanations. Break down your tasks and estimate the time it will take for each activity. Remember to ask the class schedule to the Japanese teacher and balance your time wisely. Allow some free time at the end of the period to sum up and clean whatever your funky activities created. The home teacher will really appreciate and it will bring a smooth transition to his/her next activity.
What can you or should you bring to the classroom? Anything that students can see, touch, smell, taste, and listen to. Make it bright, make it light, think smart and use your imagination. Creativity is the key to success. Your schools usually have tons of material waiting for you in a cupboard. If not, visit the hyakuen stores and go crazy. Still, keep in mind these resources should help your lessons and not undermine them. As quoted in Practical Techniques for Language Teaching (1992), "aids are only aids if they help."
At the Elementary level in Japan, foreign teachers are usually not required to evaluate the students with competence or grades. At higher lever of education, however, you might be required to do so. Evaluation is ongoing and can be either formative (informal examination which follows the student's learning process) or summative (tests and examinations that count in the students' report card). In either case, make sure you consult the Japanese English teacher to design these evaluations as to assess the curriculum criteria accurately.
Finally, keep a blank space on you lesson plan to add some last minute ideas, notes or comments about a classes, assignments, outcome of a lesson or reminders for the next lesson. Don't forget to write the date on your lesson plan.
Traditionally, a lesson plan is written on paper, on a model sheet or in a note book - something that can easily be carried to the classroom. You can also design your own template in Word or Excel and print it out as you go. Here are a few templates that you can use for your lessons.
Template 3: Contextual Lesson Plan