Dilemma: How do you keep your lesson plans from getting stale?

NEA Today, Nov 2002

After a unit, I ask the students how, if they had been the teacher, they would have taught it differently. I get some good ideas.

Sara Marquardt High school English teacher Berlin Wisconsin

* I don't keep lesson plans from year to year. When I'm ready to teach a unit, I pretest my kids on the objectives to find their strengths and weaknesses. Then I develop a timeline for presenting material and accomplishing objectives. I create "mini" lesson plans for each day, which I write in my planning book (in case I'm observed!). I keep these books, but I never go back and use them except for reference. My theory is, if I'm excited about what I'm teaching, that enthusiasm will pass to the students.

Meredith Schwartz Middle school reading specialist Ellicott City, Maryland

* I take advantage of the many workshops offered by my local and county Associations through the UniServ program. One in particular, "Instructional Strategies," offers many useful ideas applicable immediately in the classroom.

Gloria Louis Second-grade teacher Passaic, New Jersey

* I research the topic further and find learning "hooks" to start the lesson. Examples: Use puppets to explain concepts (Phoo-phoo the physics mouse?), look for current events links, have an interesting object that connects with the topic, tell a story about your experience with the topic, poll the class about their opinions, use as many corny puns and jokes about the lesson as possible.

Joan Franze Elementary gifted education teacher Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

* Relax! Go with the strengths and weaknesses of each class. I have given myself permission to loosely fluctuate within a lesson framework. Like many high school teachers with multiple classes of the same subject, I generally strive to keep them all on the same schedule, just to keep my sanity! Lately, I've discovered each class has its own personality. Rather than pushing students to stay on schedule, I trust my instincts to follow those unique, teachable moments. Classes still cover the material within a few days of each other, and no two lessons are the same!

Janis Tischer High school English teacher Minooka, Illinois

* One of the best ways is to incorporate technology to bring in current information and encourage students to interact with the subject matter. This helps students learn how to use information. Technology can make your lessons come alive.

As a technology coach, I have found that helping teachers integrate technology into their teaching also revives the teacher. Visit our school's technology integration journey at www.wcschools.com/mjhs/tlcf.

Diane Bennett, High school technology coach Mt. Juliet, Tennessee

* When lesson plans get stale, it is typically because the teacher is doing the work, and loses sight of the student perspective. Try recording student comments during a lesson you've taught several times. Often, you'll discover new questions and difficulties of which you weren't aware.

Leanna Aker Junior high science teacher Federal Way, Washington