Anna Good

Before I Begin Planning

Before beginning a lesson plan, it’s important for me to understand what my students know on the topic and any possible misconceptions they may have. It’s important to correct students’ misconceptions as soon as possible so that they build their knowledge base starting with accurate information. I've included the essential components of my lesson plans in the next column. 

 

It’s also critical to identify the Common Core Standards the lesson addresses as time spent learning in the classroom is valuable and needs to prepare students for success. I believe another key component important to identify is how that group of students works best. Plans that take into account how they learn and work best will maximize our learning time. Other important considerations are identifying available resources to be used in the lesson, including technology.

My Knowledge of Students

I believe that to be most helpful to my students, it’s important to understand them as people. The more I am able to learn about them, the more I can help them in so many ways including adapting my teaching to support their learning styles and to better understand the decisions they make. Understanding their hopes, frustrations and backgrounds gives me a familiar lens for interpreting their responses, and their behaviors which may be communicating more than they are able to identify or express with words at the time. Knowing my students gives me a window into what excites them, makes them feel happy and provides me an opportunity to use that knowledge in a positive way to promote learning.

 

A second thing I would most want to know about my students is how they learn best. Success breeds success and success in learning is no exception. The more students feel empowered and successful as learners, the more relaxed they’ll feel which will allow them to concentrate on their learning and also be willing to take risks in learning.

 

The third thing I feel is most important to know about my students are their strengths and challenges – both those that can be identified from appropriate assessments as well as what they perceive as their own strengths or challenges. I believe it’s important to teach to a student’s strengths and use those strengths to reach content areas that are more difficult for the student. For some students, strengths and challenges may be identified in an Individualized Education Program. Having knowledge of how to support them as diverse learners goes beyond supporting them in academics. It includes functional and behavioral support as well. Having that knowledge helps me ensure I’ll have important supports in place which will maximize their learning and participation.

 

I want to help my students become their best version of themselves by building their academic knowledge as well as strength of character. By providing a classroom where they feel safe and a genuine sense of belonging, I hope to encourage my students to be responsible, independent members who recognize they can perform simple acts of kindness that make a difference for others around them. I want to foster their love for learning and ability to problem solve and be flexible because those are traits that will benefit them all their lives. I want to help them become learners who can learn for themselves and by themselves and enjoy the experience. 
 

Four Key Components of My Lesson Plans

• Identify the learning goal. I post it in student friendly terms and identify its relevance to my students

• Detail the methods I'll use to teach the lesson

• Include time for guided practice of the concept or skill

• Include a formative assessment to guide my instruction along with my own reflections on the lesson

 

I believe the first key component in a lesson plan is the objective, tied to a Common Core learning standard. By identifying the objective, I ensure that my teaching and the learning activities stay focused on a specific, measurable outcome. The next critical component is to identify and detail the method, or methods, I will use to achieve the objective. The method might include whole-group instruction, pair-shared practice with a peer, working in small cooperative groups or independent practice. Differentiation to account for students’ varying learning styles and abilities is an important part of the methods portion. The third key component of the lesson plan is assessment. Appropriate assessments are important because they tell me if each student has met the objective of the lesson. Reflection is the last key component. Just as I assessed my students, I also reflect on the lesson to determine its value and my effectiveness in implementing it. I believe that continual self-reflection helps me improve my teaching practice. 

How I Address a Wide Range of Skills

I would address a wide range of skills in my classroom through the use of carefully prepared lessons that address a variety of learning styles and abilities and are appropriately challenging and differentiated to meet the needs of all students. I believe that it is important to use a variety of lesson formats, including pair share, whole class, peer buddies, small groups, and independent work, and methods to teach the material as not everyone learns in the same way and to best keep the students engaged. 

 

Culturally and Racially Diverse Students

My two different experiences living abroad in Florence, Italy and Napier, New Zealand give me some experience being immersed in different cultures. When I lived in Florence, I studied at Lorenzo de’ Medici. My experience living in New Zealand was as a student teacher in a primary school. In both places, I was immersed in the culture – shopping in the local grocery stores and just doing everyday things. My life in New Zealand was different than my life in Florence, primarily due to the fact that during that time, I had no contact with other Americans except for occasional visits with another student who lived a few towns away. A big component of Kiwi culture is being part of nature. That value was evident when their students participated in various outdoor education programs. I had the opportunity to participate with both the year 6 and year 4 classes on their outdoor education weeks.

 

I believe it is important to create a positive, safe environment where all students feel welcome and are important members in the classroom community. To ensure that all students feel a genuine sense of belonging, I would begin by embracing students’ differences. Being aware of cultural characteristics and norms is an essential starting place, however I believe it is also important to create a healthy balance by acknowledging students’ individualities. When content comes up, it is important that my teaching portrays cultures accurately and in a positive light. 

I also believe it is important for me as the teacher to connect with my students’ families so that they can be part of their student’s learning and help when they can.