Comprehension flip-book about the selection "Coming Distractions." Students used text evidence to locate facts within the text, or support their opinions about it.
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 A snapshot of a large-group mini-lesson on identifying facts and opinions in a close reading selection using the SMARTboard.
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A student's detailed research notes about tornados. For this project, students used their gathered information to create a six-slide presentation about a severe weather phenomenon in Google Slides.
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A snapshot of a student's presentation about tsunamis.
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| Sample English Lesson Plan 2 |
In every piece of instruction, I:
- Communicate with students - Most lessons are designed for a combination of large and small-group instruction, and students also work collaboratively on a regular basis. When I am in front of students, I try to keep my talking to a minimum and let them share their ideas and ask questions more often. In a small-group setting, I work closely with them and provide individual feedback so each student's voice is heard and their needs are met. Simple gestures such as sitting in front of them while leading a read-aloud make the classroom environment feel more personal and demonstrate that a teacher cares about their students. Every lesson is initiated with a thought-provoking question or statement, and an open dialogue is carried throughout the entire instructional period to clarify any misconceptions and ease any anxieties students might have about learning.
- Use question-and-answer techniques - One of the aspects of my teaching practice that has been consistently noticed is my integration of questioning techniques in every lesson. Whether I am calling on volunteers, randomly selecting students, using round-robin questioning, or the Socratic method, students know they are expected to share their ideas and participate in instruction and questioning is the most reliable way to stimulate their thinking.
- Create engaging instruction - Technology, artistic materials, kinesthetic activities, open-ended and inquiry-based tasks, and critical thinking questions are some of the myriad of ways engagement can be bolstered in the classroom. In my own experience, setting a steady, structured pace of instruction and clearly stating instructional objectives are the keys to maintaining student engagement. Once the students are all hooked and aware of their expectations, they are ready to take on just about any challenge set before them.
- Use assessment in instruction - Assessment is embedded in every aspect of instruction, whether it is formal or informal. I rely on formative assessments most often because I am able to provide quick constructive feedback to students and maintain an accurate daily record of instructional efficacy and student progress. Observational data, student interviews, quick-writes, and discussion questions are the methods I most commonly use to assess students' understanding of material. Constant informal assessment prepares students for more formal measures and, in my classroom, I go over formal assessments with them once before they take it so they know exactly what is expected of them.
- Use flexibility and responsiveness - Since teachers are in contact with many students from diverse backgrounds with varying interests, learning styles, and ability levels, it's essential to keep an open mindset while teaching. For students who are struggling to understand a concept or follow a direction, address their misconceptions right away; adjust the pace of instruction if students seem disinterested or they are not grasping what's being taught; if students are wanting to pursue a line of inquiry after an engaging lesson, create opportunities to extend that lesson. All of these are examples of how I have learned to use flexibility and responsiveness in the classroom on a daily basis.
