Planning is essential for effective science teaching. A complete lesson plan should include objectives, content, methodology, materials, and assessment. It is important to consider student background knowledge and level when planning. The lesson proper should include preliminary activities, motivation, planned activities, and a conclusion. Additionally, units and course syllabi provide overviews of instruction and require topics, objectives, outlines, requirements and references. Various resources like exhibits, field trips, and technology can enhance science learning, as can evaluation of student understanding through tests, projects, observations and interviews. Advance planning helps ensure smooth lessons that maximize coverage of concepts.

1. Developing a Science Lesson
A. The Need for Planning
Why should you plan early enough?
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Assurance of an effective procedure and a complete coverage of the subject that you aim to teach. The activities
that you need to perform together with the corresponding time allotment will enable you to progress smoothly.
A good and reliable plan can definitely enhance your self-confidence. Together with a relaxed and “authoritative
poise” which will make it easy for you to control the class.
Your plan can be submitted to your department head or head teacher for comments and suggestions, thus
adding to your learning experience.
Experience gained from your daily lesson planning task can serve as well-earned qualification for future
classroom activities.
A systematically conceived lesson plan speaks of an orderly work and study habits of teachers worthy of
commendation.
The choice of appropriate instructional materials can be decided and included in the plan.
B. Factors to Consider
In order to be able to prepare a complete lesson plan, teachers should be ready with the following:
• Adequate knowledge about the subject matter to be taught- The number of concepts and subtopics to be
covered and the time allowed shall have been determined ahead of time.
• Appropriate teaching methodology to be followed- This shall be considered depending on the background
knowledge, level of understanding of the students and the nature of the concepts to be taught.
• Instructional materials and supplies – They must be sufficient.
• Equipment and laboratory tools to be used- They must be ready to be operated during the class hours.
• Books references and other instructional devices must be handy at the time of need.
C. Basic Steps and Parts of a Lesson Plan
Steps in Preparing A Lesson Plan
1. Writing the objectives
2. Determining the teaching strategies to be followed.
3. Identifying and incorporating appropriate instructional aids to be used
4. Designing the assignments
Parts of a Lesson Plan:
1. Objectives
2. Subject matter
3. Materials Needed
4. Background knowledge
5. Lesson proper
a. Preliminary activities
b. Motivation
c. Planned activities including questions for discussions and direction
d. Concluding statement
6. Assessment
7. Assignment
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D. Planning the Lesson
The Lesson Objectives
The Subject
The Methodology
The Materials and Equipment
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The Lesson Proper
Assessment
Additional Activities
Assignment

2. E. Evaluating Effectiveness of the Plan
F. A Sample of Lesson Plan
G. A Sample of a Detailed Plan
H. Developing a Unit
The FORMAT
• Title of the Unit
• Relevance of the Unit
• Concepts Included
• Useful Background Knowledge
• Instructional Objectives
• Suggested Activities for the Unit
I. Developing a Course Syllabus
Parts of a Syllabus
1. Course Number and Title
2. Course Description
3. Course Prerequisite
4. Course Credit
5. Course Objectives
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Summary
Evaluation of the Unit
References
Equipment/ Materials Needed
Culminating Activity
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Course Outline
Course Methodology
Time Allotment
Course Requirements
Suggested References
Instructional resources and materials for Science Teaching
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a. Instructional resources
School-based Instructional Resources
a. Displays and exhibits of collections; Flower garden
b. Mini-library, canteen, museum, fish ponds
Community Resources
a. City/Town museum, reading center, parks, plaza
b. Art gallery, hospital, zoo, gym
Nature Trips
a. Hill, mountain, mining area, green fields, river
b. Valley, forest, orchidarium
Human Resources
a. Mayor, barangay captain, civic leader
b. Businessmen, agriculturist, teachers, historian
b. Learning experiences provided by instructional resources and useful material that can be studied
Collections
a. Shells, gems, minerals, books, clippings
Replicas
a. Globe, diorama, models, miniatures
Living Things
a. Live pets, kinds of plants, small animals
Devices
a. Measuring instruments, simple machines
Learning Activities
a. Gardening, preserving specimens, essay writing
Information that can be Gathered
a. Role of civic leaders, development of the different landforms

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c. Setting up learning resource centers and activities
Preparing exhibits
Visiting natural history museums
Taking care of a mini-zoo, pond and aviary
Growing plants in a home or school garden
Using videos and other electronic gadgets
Setting up a mini-reference section
Undertaking field studies
8. Familiarizing and linking with community
officials, experts in industries and businesses
9. Joining interest clubs and professional
organizations
10. Regular visits to recreation centers in the
community
Assessment and Evaluation in Science
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A. Purpose
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To appraise achievement
To help identify the students’ learning difficulties
To determine the effectiveness of a teaching strategy
To serve as guide in the choice of appropriate assessment tools
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B. Techniques
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Administering pencil-and-paper test
Analyzing work products
Oral Assessment
Observing formally and informally the students’ attitude and behavior
Performance-based Assessment
Conducting personal interviews & small group conferences
Portfolio Assessment