Why should teachers create lessons plans for classes when informative textbooks are available?

THE IMPORTANCE OF TEACHERS’ FORMULATING LESSON PLANS

Many teachers typically ask this question which reflect their concern not only for the content of their course(s) but also for the time necessary to create lesson plans.

In essence, a lesson plan is a sketch that provides a sense of direction and the means to help achieve the desired levels of understanding.

No textbook or sets of printed materials can be written to serve the needs of all students. The students you have in your classroom are unique and have different learning styles, attitudes and aptitudes. No, textbook can plan for that.

A lesson plan is a guide and a guide only. A well-designed lesson plan is flexible, subject to change, and reflective of the individual needs of each and every student in the classroom.

A good lesson plan provides an outline for the accomplishment of a specific tasks, while at the same time allowing for a measure of flexibility in terms of students’ interest and needs. Lesson plans exist for several reasons: these includes;

·       To serve as a way for teachers to evaluate their teaching effectiveness.

•       To ensure that students are taught what they need to know (as established by the school, the district or the state).

•       To prepare for and attend to individual differences between and among students.

•       To ensure effective and efficient teaching so classroom time is used appropriately.

NOTE:

A lesson plan is a road map for teachers. It is your instructional guide in the classroom, a way to map out what you want your students to learn, how you will help them learn the material, and how you will know if they actually learned the material.

Amber Amos Luper

HFU: National Directors of Education