As you can tell from this week's readings, there are varying opinions concerning style and approach to lesson planning. In Lizzy's case, we find that her college professors, mentor teacher and building principal have very different expectations when it comes to formal plans.
Why do you think educational professionals approach lesson planning in such different ways?
What really needs to be in a lesson plan?
Does a prescriptive program with pacing guides provide more freedom or less freedom in the classroom? As a new teacher, would you like to work for a district that has adopted a prescriptive instructional plan to ensure all students are receiving equitable learning opportunities?
To join the conversation, add your comment below.
2 comments:
Every teacher's lesson plans are different because every teacher is different. Mr Sedun likes to script a lot of his plans because it keeps him organized. I think scripting everything doesn't leave room for different interpretations in each class. In the end, though, both ways work for the teacher using them, so that's what's important.
In my opinion, lesson plans should have the topic/ essential question, standards to prove that your lesson has purpose, and some sort of list of activities. Lists of materials, learning outcomes, and evaluation of student's needs can be redundant if they're addressed in the other areas so it's frustating to me when professors require them.
Prescriptive plans obviously give teachers less freedom. That's why they call it prescriptive. People telling you how to do something is the definition of no freedom. Duh.
I like the freedom to use my own methods of planning, so I wouldn't prefer to work in a district with a prescriptive instructional plan. What helps me stay organized, like a list of questions to ask, may not be what helps a different teacher. Also, scripting materials lists seems like a waste of time to me (if I write that students will write something on the board, having chalk seems pretty obvious).
Each teacher is different in the way that they teach and live, so obviously their lesson plans will all be different. My high school English teacher didn't even keep lesson plans because she always knew exactly what she was going to do, what the students should expect, and how they would react to the lessons.
I think lessons should follow in simple timeline describing each part of the lesson in loose detail. It should also have essential information on it like the objective of the lesson or unit, and an essential question.
I feel that it gives them less freedom because it is pretty much telling them what they need to do while in a classroom teaching students.
I would want to create my own lesson and unit plans on my own without the help of others. I know that some teachers would need it, but I know that I will be a fantastic teacher that I can use my awesome skills to teach how I want to :)
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