"I am who I am".: February 2011

Lesson Plan

A lesson plan is a lesson “project” written down on paper. It is only a “project” because a lot of unpredictabe events occur in the classroom. It is also a dreaded part of instruction that most teachers detest. It nevertheless provides a guide for managing the learning environment. As one of the teacher’s roles is that of designer and implementor of instruction, the preparation of lesson plan will ensure the organization of the English lesson according to some criteria. Regardless of the format, all teachers need to make wise decisions about the strategies and methods they will employ to help students move systematically toward learner goals. The more organized a teacher is, the more effective the teaching, and thus the learning, is. Writing daily lesson plans is a large part of being organized.

Goals

Teachers need to have a precise notion of educational goals / objectives / standards / competences

Content

Content is chosen according to the level and needs of the learners. It must be interesting and appealing to them.

Instructional procedure

The effective teacher also needs to develop a plan to provide direction toward the attainment of the selected objectives. Teachers must decide how to sequence the teaching items according to the methodology and approach they opted for. Sequencing may be from easy to difficult, from known to unknown, from familiar to unfamiliar …

Timing

The effective teacher certainly controls the way time is used. Effective teachers systematically and carefully plan for productive use of instructional time.

Evaluation procedure

There should be some kind of feed back tasks to highlight lesson deficiencies.

Finally, even teachers who develop highly structured and detailed plans rarely strictly stick to them. Such rigidity would probable impede, rather than help, the teaching-learning process. The elements of your lesson plan should be thought of as guiding principles to be applied as aids, but not blueprints, to systematic instruction. Precise preparation must allow for flexible delivery. During actual classroom interaction, the instructor needs to make adaptations and to add artistry to each lesson plan and classroom delivery.

QUALITIES OF A GOOD TEACHER

Empathy
You have the ability to bond with your students, to understand and resonate with their feelings and emotions. To communicate on their level. To be compassionate with them when they are down and to celebrate with them when they are up.

Positive Mental Attitude
You are able to think more on the positive and a little less on the negative. To keep a smile on your face when things get tough. To see the bright side of things. To seek to find the positives in every negative situation. To be philosophical.

Open to Change
You are able to acknowledge that the only real constant in life is change. You know there is a place for tradition but there is also a place for new ways, new ideas, new systems, and new approaches. You don't put obstacles in your way by being blinkered and are always open and willing to listen to others' ideas.

Role Model
You are the window through which many young people will see their future. Be a fine role model.

Creative
You are able to motivate your students by using creative and inspirational methods of teaching. You are different in your approach and that makes you stand out from the crowd. Hence the reason why students enjoy your classes and seek you out for new ideas.

Sense of Humour
You know that a great sense of humour reduces barriers and lightens the atmosphere especially during heavy periods. An ability to make your students laugh will carry you far and gain you more respect. It also increases your popularity.

Presentation Skills
You know that your students are visual, auditory or kinaesthetic learners. You are adept at creating presentation styles for all three. Your body language is your main communicator and you keep it positive at all times. Like a great orator you are passionate when you speak. But at the same time you know that discussion and not lecturing stimulates greater feedback.

Calmness
You know that the aggression, negative attitudes and behaviours that you see in some of your students have a root cause. You know that they are really scared young people who have come through some bad experiences in life. This keeps you calm and in control of you, of them and the situation. You are good at helping your students de-stress.

"I am who I am".

My point of view...

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EDP 9