Lesson Planning

Start with the shape of a lesson plan

Begin with a map that introduces the purpose and elements of a lesson plan. One lesson planning map describes a plan as a guide, road map and checklist. Another looks at the components of an individual lesson, including aims and assessment activities. Together, they offer starting points for thinking about what a plan contains.

As you study, note the main aim and any other aims shown in the map. Then consider how the assessment activities relate to those aims.

Move on to instructional strategy

After looking at the parts of a plan, use Developing Instructional Strategy to explore how instruction can be organized. The map covers sequencing and clustering information, assigning objectives, and planning content presentation and student participation. It also includes activities before instruction, assessment and follow-through.

Another instructional strategy map adds points on motivation, student groupings, media selection and tests. Compare the two maps to see how their planning ideas relate.

Compare the lesson planning maps

The page has no quizzes, so the mind maps are a useful way to study the material. One map describes a plan as a record of a class and a guide for a substitute teacher. Others cover the definition, process, and pros and cons of lesson planning.

Compare their descriptions and make a short list of the purposes and elements they share. You can return to the maps to check your notes.

Place the topic in its unit

Lesson Planning is a section of the Teaching Methods and Strategies unit in Education and pedagogy (incl. teaching methods, curriculum, educational psychology). The maps bring planning and instructional strategy together within that unit. Choose a map to explore, then use another to compare its approach.