Jordynn Ligocki

Top 10 Lesson Plans

September 24, 2014



1. KUDo Working on what students know, understand and are able to
do, as well as prior knowledge. This is VERY important to differentiation
and scaffolding.

2. Standards and Objectives Content should always reflect
standards and objectives! The lesson content should coincide with the
students learning targets. This may be common sense but very
important common sense to have!

3. Formative Assessment!! In my opinion, formative assessment
is CRUCIAL to differentiation and zone of proximal development. Dont
ever move on in the lesson if all students arent caught up or
understanding the content that is delivered. Summative assessment has
the ability to come later if isnt applicable within the lesson i.e. end of
unit, etc.

4. Essential Questions!! These are SO important for students to
start thinking about what theyre learning or going to learn. If the answer
isnt clear from the start, it definitely should be clear by the end of the
lesson/unit.

5. Student Needs - What are the academic, social, physical, personal,
and emotional needs of my students? (Scholastic) All of these needs
should be met throughout the lesson, assessments and aspects of the
students learning.

6. Strategies and Materials I grouped these together because
they connect. There are certain materials needed for certain strategies
technology, art, music, etc. instead of simple paper and pencil. Different
learning strategies are also important to differentiation.

7. Differentiation/Modifications If a lesson isnt working,
modify it! Not all students learn the same way or have the same
background, home life, etc. DIFFERENTIATION!!! Tailor your instruction
to meet multiple intelligences! (Gardner)

8. Connections Students should have the opportunity to make
connections between the content and their life. Doing hands on activities
voting, student court, etc. are some of the best ways students learn
content. It gives them the chance to step into roles theyre comfortable
with or not, however they can explore and understand different areas of
content through making connections and such activities.

9. Engagement Simply put, if students arent engaged in their
learning, they wont learn. Keeping students interested is important to
instruction and comprehension.

10. Reflection Every teacher should reflect on each lesson that is
taught. Things can always be done differently (all students are different!)
and its great to reflect on ways to make your lessons even more awesome
than the last time you taught it.