Key Components of a Lesson Plan with Examples

Key Components of a Lesson Plan with Examples

1. An objective or statement of learning goals

   • Objectives are the foundation of your lesson plan. They should be clearly stated and should outline which skills, knowledge, or understanding students are expected to gain as a result of the lesson
   • Be mindful that your objectives are realistic, measurable, and in compliance with the educational standards of your school and/or district for your grade level.

2. Materials needed

   • Make a list of all necessary materials and ensure they are available well in advance of the lesson. If your lesson requires use of shared materials or spaces make sure you reserve these spaces and confirm their reservation. Keep materials together in a secure space and labeled for your lesson, and have extra available.

3. The procedure and instructions

   • Create detailed notes on both the process for the lesson or activity and on how instructions are to be given. Maybe there is certain information you don’t want students to be told upfront, but you want them to discover it throughout the course of the lesson. Your lesson plan should be detailed enough that anyone who reads it will have all the same information and ability to effectively teach the lesson.

4. Group sizes for lessons and activities

   • It is best to use a mix of groupings for the activities within your lessons, including individual, pairs, small group, and whole class work. When planning your activities, contemplate which groupings will work best for each activity or if students will have the option of choosing which group sizes work best for them. Consider materials needed and the availability of those materials/resources for each activity.

5. A method of assessing student progress toward objectives

   • In your lesson plan, detail your process for assessment (oral quiz, written quiz, project, etc.) and get feedback on what worked and didn’t work for students. Determine what values will be used to define your lesson’s success

6. Any homework assignments relevant to the lesson to extend learning.