An effective lesson plan includes key components such as objectives, materials, procedures, practice activities, and assessment. It provides structure for the learning process and ensures students achieve the intended outcomes. A good plan considers student needs and keeps all parties on track. In contrast, poor planning leads to frustration and a waste of time.

1. EFFECTIVE
LESSON
PLANNING

2. A teacher who is
attempting to teach
without inspiring the pupil
with a desire to learn is
hammering on a cold iron.
Horace Mann

3. INTRODUCTIONS
Name 
School and position 
What are the qualities of 
?effective teaching
What must a teacher know )
?(and be able to do
BRAINSTORM A LIST

4. …EFFECTIVE TEACHERS
Know the content 
Understand the 
development of the
student
Value the diversity of 
the students within
the class
Plan strategic lessons 
using research-based
practices
Use multiple 
assessments to
evaluate progress
Create a suitable 
learning environment
Adapt and modify 
instruction
Use effective 
communication
Collaborate with all 
members of the
learning community
Engage in sustained 
professional growth
experiences

5. A VISION OF TEACHING
Connect the dots in the puzzle using only 
four straight lines without lifting your
.pen/pencil off of the paper
How does this relate to our
teaching?

6. INSTRUCTIONAL PLANNING AND
STRATEGIES
Plans are developed to provide students with 
meaningful learning experiences
Plans connect to related learning 
opportunities
Teaching is based instructional strategies 
that focus on best practice and research
Teaching is supported by strategies that 
foster interest and progress

7. GOOD PLANNING
Keeps the teacher and students on track 
Achieves the objectives 
Helps teachers to avoid “unpleasant” surprises 
Provides the roadmap and visuals in a logical sequence 
Provides direction to a substitute 
Encourages reflection, refinement, and improvement 
Enhances student achievement 

8. POOR PLANNING
Frustration for the teacher and the student 
Aimless wandering 
Unmet objectives 
No connections to prior learnings 
Disorganization 
Lack of needed materials 
A waste of time 
Poor management 

9. A GOOD LESSON INCLUDES
Objectives 
Pre-assessment 
List of materials 
Warm-up and introduction 
Presentation 
Practice 
Evaluation 
Closure 
Application 

10. …LET’S BEGIN
The format of a 
..lesson should
Go one step at a time 
Have a picture for 
every step
Have a minimal 
reliance on words
An effective lesson plan is a set of plans for building
something – it “constructs” the learning.

11. The greater the structure of a
lesson and the more precise
the directions on what is to be
accomplished, the higher the
achievement rate.
Harry Wong, The First Days of Teaching

12. PRE-ASSESSMENT
What are the characteristics of the 
?learners in the class
What do the students already know 
?and understand
?How do my students learn best 
What modifications in instruction 
?might I need to make

13. OBJECTIVES
A description of what the student 
will be able to do at the end of the
lesson
Provides alignment with district and 
(state goals (Uses CCCS
Use behavioral verbs to describe the 
(expected outcomes (ACTION
No-no’s: appreciate, enjoy, understand, 
.love, etc

14. MATERIALS
!Plan! Prepare! Have on hand 
Murphy’s Law 
.Envision your needs 
.List all resources 
Have enough manipulatives (when 
.needed) for groups or individuals

15. WARM-UP AND
INTRODUCTION
Grab the attention of the students 
PROVIDES THE INTEREST/MOTIVATION factor 
Set the tone for the lesson connected to the 
objective
A question 
A story 
A saying 
An activity 
A discussion starter 
BE CREATIVE

16. PROCEDURES AND
PRESENTATION
Sets up a step-by-step plan 
Provides a quick review of previous 
learning
Provides specific activities to assist 
students in developing the new
knowledge
Provides modeling of a new skill 
.A picture is worth a thousand words 
!I hear, I see………..I do 

17. LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Graphic organizers 
Creative play 
Peer presenting 
Performances 
Role playing 
Debates 
Game making 
Projects 
Cooperative groups 
Inquiry learning 
Direct instruction 
Differentiation 
Direct Instruction 

18. PRACTICE
APPLYING WHAT IS LEARNED
Provide multiple learning activities 
(Guided practice (teacher controlled 
Use a variety of questioning strategies to 
determine the level of understanding
Journaling, conferencing 
Independent practice 
Practice may be differentiated 
BUILD ON SUCCESS 

19. CLOSURE
Lesson Wrap-up: Leave students with an 
.imprint of what the lesson covered
Students summarize the major concepts 
Teacher recaps the main points 
Teacher sets the stage for the next phase of 
learning

20. EVALUATION
Assess the learning 
Teacher made test 
In-class or homework 
assignment
Project to apply the 
learning in real-life
situation
Recitations and 
summaries
Performance 
assessments
Use of rubrics 
Portfolios 
Journals 
Informal assessment 

21. REFLECTION
?What went well in the lesson 
?What problems did I experience 
Are there things I could have done 
?differently
How can I build on this lesson to make 
?future lessons successful

22. THE SUBSTITUTE…
?NOW WHAT
The Key to substitute success – DETAILED 
LESSON PLANS
Discipline routines 
Children with special needs 
Fire drill and emergency procedures 
(Helpful students, helpful colleagues (phone #’s 
Classroom schedule 
Names of administrators 
Expectations for the work 
Packet of extra activities 

23. A teacher is one
who brings us
tools and enables
us to use them.
Jean Toomer