Joys of Lesson Planning

Most of us in the education field may dread lesson planning at times because of the tedious information we have to include in them, however, I find it very helpful. It is a time for me to get all of these ideas I have of teaching and all of the strategies and tips we learn along the way down on paper. I always have creative ideas on how to teach a certain topic, so it's fun to actually draft those ideas, think of ways to modify them, and how to best implement them in certain contexts. 

My favorite part about lesson planning is finding solutions to make up for any main points of my lesson plan that may get lost in translation. For example, I come up with a great idea, plan it out, and run through it in my mind step-by-step as if I were actually implementing that lesson; I think of not only what I am doing during the lesson, but what the students may be doing or thinking. Could they get confused at point B of the lesson because I didn't clarify point A? I can then edit my lesson by adding things that I can say and do to combat these blocks, and do period checks to make sure students are on the same page as I am.

It is also satisfying to feel like the countless readings we have done about classroom management, strategies, student learning, teacher implementation, and many other theoretical ideas finally make an appearance throughout the process of lesson planning. We have this plethora of information in our heads itching to be used! So when I know that arranging the desks in a U shape can promote discussion, or that I should patiently wait for a response (no matter how awkward the silence is) if students don't immediately answer a question during discussion, it is a gratifying feeling to know that these tips come through during lesson planning. And I imagine that it would be even more satisfying to see that they actually work in a lesson plan once implemented.

I hope everyone is enjoying and exploring the joys of lesson planning! I know that for me specifically, Google has become my best friend! :D

Until next time,

Ramina Odicho