Lesson Planning – How to Create an

Effective Lesson Plan

Updated: Jul 9
A lesson plan is a teacher’s guide for running a specific lesson. It includes the
goal (what students are supposed to learn), the method how the goal will be
reached, and measuring how well the goal was achieved (exit ticket, test,
homework, etc.).

Lesson planning is a vital component of the teaching process. It keeps teachers

organized and on track, allowing them to teach more effectively. As a result,
students reach objectives more easily.

Lesson planning:
 Provides a framework for smooth and efficient teaching
 Helps the teacher become more confident when delivering the lesson
 Helps the teacher become more organized
 Gives a sense of direction with regard to the syllabus
 Provides a basis for future planning
 Helps a teacher to differentiate to meet the needs of individual students
 Is proof that a teacher makes an effort to improve the quality of learning

Elements of a Lesson Plan

 Title of the lesson
 Time needed to complete the lesson
 List of materials
 List of objectives, which may be knowledge objectives (what a student
knows at lesson completion) or behavioral objectives (what a student can
do at lesson completion)
 Instructional component that describes the series of events that make up
the lesson
 Summary, where a teacher wraps up the discussion and answers questions
 Evaluation of learning objectives

Steps for Preparing a Lesson Plan

1) Outline learning objectives
Objectives are crucial to effective instruction because they help teachers plan the
strategies and activities that they will use. Determine what the topic of the lesson
is, and what you want your students to learn and be able to perform at the end of
the class.

After outlining the learning objectives, rank them according to importance.

Identify the most important concepts and ideas so in case you are pressed for
time, you know beforehand what can and cannot be omitted.
2) Develop the introduction
Decide what specific activities you want to use to make students understand and
apply the things they have learned. You can start with a question/activity to
gauge their knowledge of the subject. For example, you can ask, “How many of
you are familiar with…? Raise your hand.”

Create an introduction that will encourage thinking and stimulate interest. Use
different approaches to engage students – e.g. historical event, practical
application, short video clip, etc.

3) Plan the specific learning activities

Prepare various ways of explaining the material to catch the attention of students
(examples, analogies, visuals). Estimate how much time you will be spending on
each. Consider time for extended discussion, but be prepared to move on quickly
if the need arises.

4) Check for understanding

Check for student understanding, i.e. verify if the students are learning. For this
purpose, you can think of specific questions you can ask and write them down.
You can ask the students to respond in writing or orally.

5) Develop a conclusion
Summarize the main points of the lesson. This can be done in a number of ways.
First, you can state the main points yourself. Second, you can ask a student to
summarize. Third, ask all your students to summarize the main points of the
lesson and write them down on a piece of paper. Review the students’ answers
and explain anything that is unclear next time.

6) Have a realistic timeline

It’s easy to run out of time and not cover all the main points of the lesson. If
possible, narrow down the list of ideas, concepts, or skills you want your students
to learn to the most important ones. Prioritizing learning objectives can help you
adjust the lesson plan and make decisions on the spot. A realistic timeline will
allow teachers to be flexible and enable them to adapt to the classroom
environment.

Conclusion
A well-developed lesson plan is the main ingredient of a successful lesson. Having
an effective lesson plan will ensure that teachers are prepared for class and will
make it run smoothly.

INcompassing Education provides high-quality professional development for

educators in Indiana and other neighboring states. We help teachers upgrade
their knowledge and skills by sharing best practices in the teaching profession. If
you want to improve the performance of your school, get in touch with us. We
can help!
Center for Research on Learning and
Teaching

A lesson plan is the instructor’s road map of what students need to learn
and how it will be done effectively during the class time. Before you plan
your lesson, you will first need to identify the learning objectives for the
class meeting. Then, you can design appropriate learning activities and
develop strategies to obtain feedback on student learning. A successful
lesson plan addresses and integrates these three key components:

 Objectives for student learning

 Teaching/learning activities
 Strategies to check student understanding

Specifying concrete objectives for student learning will help you

determine the kinds of teaching and learning activities you will use in
class, while those activities will define how you will check whether the
learning objectives have been accomplished (see Fig. 1).

Steps for Preparing a Lesson Plan

Below are six steps to guide you when you create your first lesson plans.
Each step is accompanied by a set of questions meant to prompt
reflection and aid you in designing your teaching and learning activities.
(1) Outline learning objectives
The first step is to determine what you want students to learn and be
able to do at the end of class. To help you specify your objectives for
student learning, answer the following questions:

 What is the topic of the lesson?

 What do I want students to learn?
 What do I want them to understand and be able to do at the end of
class?
 What do I want them to take away from this particular lesson?

Once you outline the learning objectives for the class meeting, rank
them in terms of their importance. This step will prepare you for
managing class time and accomplishing the more important learning
objectives in case you are pressed for time. Consider the following
questions:

 What are the most important concepts, ideas, or skills I want

students to be able to grasp and apply?
 Why are they important?
 If I ran out of time, which ones could not be omitted?
 And conversely, which ones could I skip if pressed for time?

(2) Develop the introduction

Now that you have your learning objectives in order of their importance,
design the specific activities you will use to get students to understand
and apply what they have learned. Because you will have a diverse body
of students with different academic and personal experiences, they may
already be familiar with the topic. That is why you might start with a
question or activity to gauge students’ knowledge of the subject or
possibly, their preconceived notions about it. For example, you can take
a simple poll: “How many of you have heard of X? Raise your hand if you
have.” You can also gather background information from your students
prior to class by sending students an electronic survey or asking them to
write comments on index cards. This additional information can help
shape your introduction, learning activities, etc. When you have an idea
of the students’ familiarity with the topic, you will also have a sense of
what to focus on.
Develop a creative introduction to the topic to stimulate interest and
encourage thinking. You can use a variety of approaches to engage
students (e.g., personal anecdote, historical event, thought-provoking
dilemma, real-world example, short video clip, practical application,
probing question, etc.). Consider the following questions when planning
your introduction:

 How will I check whether students know anything about the topic
or have any preconceived notions about it?
 What are some commonly held ideas (or possibly misconceptions)
about this topic that students might be familiar with or might
espouse?
 What will I do to introduce the topic?

(3) Plan the specific learning activities

(the main body of the lesson)
Prepare several different ways of explaining the material (real-life
examples, analogies, visuals, etc.) to catch the attention of more
students and appeal to different learning styles. As you plan your
examples and activities, estimate how much time you will spend on
each. Build in time for extended explanation or discussion, but also be
prepared to move on quickly to different applications or problems, and
to identify strategies that check for understanding. These questions
would help you design the learning activities you will use:

 What will I do to explain the topic?

 What will I do to illustrate the topic in a different way?
 How can I engage students in the topic?
 What are some relevant real-life examples, analogies, or situations
that can help students understand the topic?
 What will students need to do to help them understand the topic
better?

(4) Plan to check for understanding

Now that you have explained the topic and illustrated it with different
examples, you need to check for student understanding – how will you
know that students are learning? Think about specific questions you can
ask students in order to check for understanding, write them down, and
then paraphrase them so that you are prepared to ask the questions in
different ways. Try to predict the answers your questions will generate.
Decide on whether you want students to respond orally or in writing.
You can look at Strategies to Extend Student Thinking,
http://www.crlt.umich.edu/gsis/P4_4.php to help you generate some
ideas and you can also ask yourself these questions:
  What questions will I ask students to check for understanding?
 What will I have students do to demonstrate that they are
following?
 Going back to my list of learning objectives, what activity can I
have students do to check whether each of those has been
accomplished?

An important strategy that will also help you with time management is
to anticipate students’ questions. When planning your lesson, decide
what kinds of questions will be productive for discussion and what
questions might sidetrack the class. Think about and decide on the
balance between covering content (accomplishing your learning
objectives) and ensuring that students understand.

(5) Develop a conclusion and a preview

Go over the material covered in class by summarizing the main points of
the lesson. You can do this in a number of ways: you can state the main
points yourself (“Today we talked about…”), you can ask a student to
help you summarize them, or you can even ask all students to write
down on a piece of paper what they think were the main points of the
lesson. You can review the students’ answers to gauge their
understanding of the topic and then explain anything unclear the
following class. Conclude the lesson not only by summarizing the main
points, but also by previewing the next lesson. How does the topic relate
to the one that’s coming? This preview will spur students’ interest and
help them connect the different ideas within a larger context.

(6) Create a realistic timeline

GSIs know how easy it is to run out of time and not cover all of the many
points they had planned to cover. A list of ten learning objectives is not
realistic, so narrow down your list to the two or three key concepts,
ideas, or skills you want students to learn. Instructors also agree that
they often need to adjust their lesson plan during class depending on
what the students need. Your list of prioritized learning objectives will
help you make decisions on the spot and adjust your lesson plan as
needed. Having additional examples or alternative activities will also
allow you to be flexible. A realistic timeline will reflect your flexibility
and readiness to adapt to the specific classroom environment. Here are
some strategies for creating a realistic timeline:
  Estimate how much time each of the activities will take, then plan
some extra time for each
 When you prepare your lesson plan, next to each activity indicate
how much time you expect it will take
 Plan a few minutes at the end of class to answer any remaining
questions and to sum up key points
 Plan an extra activity or discussion question in case you have time
left
 Be flexible – be ready to adjust your lesson plan to students’ needs
and focus on what seems to be more productive rather than
sticking to your original plan

Presenting the Lesson Plan

Letting your students know what they will be learning and doing in class
will help keep them more engaged and on track. You can share your
lesson plan by writing a brief agenda on the board or telling students
explicitly what they will be learning and doing in class. You can outline
on the board or on a handout the learning objectives for the class.
Providing a meaningful organization of the class time can help students
not only remember better, but also follow your presentation and
understand the rationale behind in-class activities. Having a clearly
visible agenda (e.g., on the board) will also help you and students stay
on track.

Reflecting on Your Lesson Plan

A lesson plan may not work as well as you had expected due to a
number of extraneous circumstances. You should not get discouraged –
it happens to even the most experienced teachers! Take a few minutes
after each class to reflect on what worked well and why, and what you
could have done differently. Identifying successful and less successful
organization of class time and activities would make it easier to adjust
to the contingencies of the classroom. For additional feedback on
planning and managing class time, you can use the following resources:
student feedback, peer observation, viewing a videotape of your
teaching, and consultation with a staff member at CRLT (see
also, Improving Your Teaching: Obtaining Feedback ,
http://www.crlt.umich.edu/gsis/P9_1.php and Early Feedback Form,
http://www.crlt.umich.edu/gsis/earlyfeedback.pdf).
Conclusion
To be effective, the lesson plan does not have to be an exhaustive
document that describes each and every possible classroom scenario.
Nor does it have to anticipate each and every student’s response or
question. Instead, it should provide you with a general outline of your
teaching goals, learning objectives, and means to accomplish them. It is
a reminder of what you want to do and how you want to do it. A
productive lesson is not one in which everything goes exactly as
planned, but one in which both students and instructors learn from each
other.

Additional Resources
Online:
Video clips of GSIs at the University of Michigan actively engaging
students in a practice teaching
session: https://crlte.engin.umich.edu/engineering-gsi-videos/
Plan the First Day's Session: How to create to a lesson plan for the first
day of class: http://gsi.berkeley.edu/gsi-guide-contents/pre-semester-
intro/first-day-plan/

References
Fink, D. L. (2005). Integrated course design. Manhattan, KS: The IDEA
Center.
Retrieved from https://www.ideaedu.org/idea_papers/integrated-course-
design/
back to top

pply These 6 Stages in Your Successful Lesson Planning

1. 1
 Lead-in (3 minutes)
This is where you will introduce your topic to the class. Audio-visual aids
such as a music video are an excellent lead-in tool. The lead-in should be 5
minutes or less as it is just a warm-up. For example: the famous nursery rhyme
“Old McDonald had a farm”, could be a fun lead-in for a lesson on animals.
Your objective here is to lay the foundation for your lesson. You don’t want it to
be too long as it should not overshadow your lesson.

After listening to the song/watching the video you can ask the students to
make a prediction on what topic the lesson would be based on for the day, it
gives them a little thrill when they make the correct predication.

2. 2
Elicitation (5 minutes)
Elicitation is basically ‘extracting’ information. At this step, you want to test
the students’ current knowledge on the topic. A good way to elicit information
from the students is to show them a prop, flashcards or a PowerPoint
presentation. Each image or prop will get the students talking and more
engaged in your lesson. For example, in a lesson on animals you will show the
class images of different animals and get the students to identify the animals.
You can take it a step further with higher level students and try to get them to
name the offspring. Another fun idea is to play sounds of different animals and
have the class identify the creature from just the sound; this would be an
excellent way to practicing listening. Your aim here is just to test the students’
knowledge on the topic.

NB: Using funny looking images creates a lighter atmosphere in the classroom
as it draws the student in and builds greater engagement.

3. 3
 Presentation (7 minutes)
In this step you will be presenting the main topic. So, if you chose the
theme of animals you should have a ‘focus area’ such as animal homes.
During your presentation you will talk about this topic. PowerPoint
presentations; Flashcards or Charts are great for this stage of your lesson.
Using your students’ current knowledge on the theme will be useful at this
stage of the lesson. At this point of the lesson it would be appropriate
to introduce the class to new vocabulary and key phrases. The objective of
this step should be for the students to learn the appropriate use of key terms
and phrases and how to use them in the proper context. It will also broaden
their current knowledge on the topic.

4. 4
Controlled Practice (10 minutes)
After presenting your lesson and teaching new vocabulary, you would
want the students to put into practice everything they have studied. The
best way to test their knowledge on the day's lesson is through a worksheet.
Another great tool is doing a role-play in which the students can act out
different social situations while using the key phrases and vocabulary taught
for the day. Most often your topic will dictate the type of activity most suited for
the lesson. The activities done at this stage should be able to help sharpen the
four basic language learning skills. Try to get all the students involved and
assist them where necessary.

5. 5
Freer Practice (15 minutes)
Once again you will be testing the students’ knowledge on the lesson
just taught; however, with this step you can be more flexible. Games are
great for this as it creates a "freer" learning environment. It's both entertaining
and educational. With this step you can do more than one activity depending
 on your time. Encourage peer teaching, that is, get the students to help each
other.

6. 6
Review and Follow up (5 minutes)
Towards the end of the lesson it's good to do a quick review to tie up the
lesson and at the same time check of the students’ was able to grasp all
the concepts taught. It’s a good idea to go over the new vocabulary and key
phrases taught. Review could also be done in the form of a short worksheet
like a word-search which they can complete in class or something longer if you
wish to give the students homework for the day.

10 TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE LESSON PLANNING

We know how hard it might be to plan a lesson for particular students when you
are overwhelmed with all other activities, For effective lesson planning there must
be various things you should keep in mind. In this blog, we will make clear what
are those things that are required to make your plan successful.

1. Familiarise yourself with the curriculum

Your lessons will be based on the yearly overview of the subject, so it is important
to get a good idea of what that entails before starting your planning. A curriculum
sets out the knowledge and skills that learners should be taught by their teacher
within a certain time frame. The curriculum will help you to understand what the
subject’s focus and learning objectives are.
Once you have a clear understanding of the curriculum, you can plan lessons
more specifically with the bigger picture in mind. You can work from there to set up
detailed lesson plans that will in the end help your learners to achieve the learning
objectives for the year.

Getting yourself familiar with the curriculum helps a lot to plan effective lesson
planning for teachers

2. Have a clear objective

For effective lesson planning, ask yourself: What is the goal of this lesson? What
should the lesson help learners achieve, learn, or think about? Thinking about the
learning objectives will help you understand which activities will most benefit the
lesson.

Your short-term objectives, in other words, what you plan to achieve within the
lesson or the day, should definitely be important when planning your lesson, but
that is not all. You have to also think about your medium-term objectives that you
have for the whole week. You should also make sure your short-term and medium-
term objectives take into account the yearly goals you have for your learners, also
called your long-term objectives.

As with all goals, you can use the SMART method to help guide you. Ensure that
your goals for your class are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and
Time-Bound. Setting SMART goals will help you get a full overview of what you
are trying to accomplish.
3. Research different teaching styles
While researching different teaching styles, there are a couple of things to keep in
mind. The size of your class will determine the practicality of some styles. The age
of your students and the objectives of your lesson will also help you to determine
which teaching style will work best for the group.

If you would like to, for example, work on problem-solving skills in a lesson, you
would perhaps choose an approach that facilitates open discussion.

Whether you would like to present information to your class while they sit back and
listen, or you want your class to start with open-ended questions to engage your
learners, there is a teaching style for everyone.

You’ll be happy to hear that you don’t have to choose just one teaching style! You
can adapt the way you approach a lesson based on various factors, and continue
to adapt it until it works for you and your class.

4. Use differentiation
Differentiation means using different types of activities and different difficulty levels
to make provision for the individual needs of the students in your class.
Differentiation can help to prevent students from becoming bored when they aren’t
challenged enough, or frustrated when they find activities too challenging.

When planning your lessons, you should try to recognise the strengths and
different abilities of your students. There are various ways to differentiate activities,
and you can even use activities that already have differentiated questions
included, like this one.
5. Find ways to engage students
When students are engaged in lessons, it can help them to be more interested and
motivated to learn. As teachers, there are various ways in which we can make a
classroom a great environment for learning, and that includes making learners feel
excited about lessons.

A simple way to make your lessons more engaging is to create a space where
students feel free to ask questions and are encouraged to participate in activities.

You can try to incorporate opportunities for students to work together and
brainstorm great new ideas. Group discussions or even debates can also motivate
students to participate actively in class.
Another way of engaging students in lessons is to use real-world examples that
are relevant to them. Interactive games are also a great way to engage students in
lessons.

6. Think of a plan B (and C)

You know that things don’t always go to plan. For that reason, it is always a good
idea to think of different ways to continue with a great lesson, even if things
change.

You can start by thinking about possible blockers for your plan. Did you plan an
activity outside? Let’s think of a plan B in case it rains.

Did you plan on having a presentation to guide learners through your lesson? Let’s
think of a way to keep your lesson engaging even if the projector decides to stop
working today.

Have a plan ready in case everything goes right too! If you finish your lesson early,
make sure to have some fun activities planned to keep your class entertained.

7. Be flexible
There are times when you are going to have to take a step back, see what is
working and what is not, and adjust from there. It is important to be flexible!
You might adjust your teaching style if you recognise that your learners aren’t as
engaged as you’d like them to be. It is important to make some adjustments in
order to provide your learners with the best learning experience possible.

You can look at planning more interactive lessons, such as including games or
encouraging group work, to engage your learners more.

Perhaps you notice that your learners aren’t fully comprehending the subject
material. How are you going to adjust your teaching to help them?

You can look at spending more time on certain topics and have more frequent
informal assessments to get an idea of how much your learners are
comprehending.

8. Set realistic timelines

Make sure there is enough time to discuss, answer questions, explain, and allow
for interaction. Your timelines should not only take into account your objectives but
also the pace at which your students learn and the curriculum requirements.

It is also a good idea to allow time for valuable feedback from your learners!

Setting realistic timelines will benefit your learners, but it will also benefit you. It
may help you to feel less overwhelmed if things don’t go as planned, or less
stressed out when times are busy.

9. Work with your colleagues

Where possible, you can work with your colleagues to plan lessons. This will allow
you to hear and share some advice, brainstorm ideas, and perhaps even share the
workload. Working together can help you and your fellow teachers to see lessons
and teaching from a different perspective, allowing you to bring a different
perspective into your classroom. You can also share helpful resources with each
other. Everyone wins!
10. Use tools to help you save time
You don’t have to do it all on your own, and you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Find out if your fellow teachers have helpful resources that you can use when
lesson planning, and find out some tips that work for them. You can also consider
getting a Twinkl membership to get access to curriculum-focused teaching
resources, planning resources, classroom displays, and more.
We live in a world full of wonderful technology, ready to help you save time. From
AI tools that can help you to write reports and lesson plans, to graphic design
websites that allow you to create visually engaging materials. Find out if your
school has access to any tools that you might find helpful while planning your
lessons.
Effective Lesson planning might seem a bit daunting if you aren’t used to it yet, but
following these tips will help you set up a great lesson plan. You’ll be a pro in no
time!

Have you ever wondered what makes an English lesson not just good, but great? It’s not
just about the content; it’s about how it’s delivered. The secret sauce to successful teaching
lies in meticulous lesson planning. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a rookie in the
realm of teaching, effective lesson planning can be the make-or-break factor that ensures
your students’ journey in learning English is as enriching as it is educational.
Table of Contents
  Understanding the Teaching Context
 Preparing for the Unexpected: Extra Activities
 Managing Time Like a Pro
o Creating a Variety of Learning Experiences
 Ending on a High Note
 Flexibility: The Hallmark of Effective Lesson Execution
 A Coherent Framework for Successful Classroom Transactions
o Challenges and Rewards of Lesson Planning
Understanding the Teaching Context
Every class is a unique ecosystem with its own set of challenges and opportunities. Before
you dive into planning, take a moment to consider the context of your teaching
environment. Who are your students? What are their learning styles and proficiency levels?
Are there cultural nuances you should be aware of? Understanding these factors is crucial
in tailoring your lesson plan to fit the needs of your students, making the learning
experience more engaging and productive.
Preparing for the Unexpected: Extra Activities
Imagine this: you’ve just breezed through your meticulously planned lesson, and you’re
met with blank stares and a clock that stubbornly insists you have twenty minutes to spare.
This is where having a suite of extra activities comes into play. Supplementary exercises,
like quick games, discussions, or creative writing prompts, not only fill time but also
reinforce learning and keep students engaged.
Managing Time Like a Pro
Time management is an art form in the classroom. A well-structured lesson plan serves as
your canvas, allowing you to allocate time for each activity effectively. But remember, it’s
not just about fitting everything in; it’s about pacing your lesson so that students can
absorb and reflect on their learning. Balance is key—ensure you have enough time for
explanations, practice, and feedback, without rushing through or dwelling too long on any
one point.
Creating a Variety of Learning Experiences
Do you remember sitting through a class that was just a monotonous drone of facts?
Chances are, your students won’t appreciate that either. Spice up your lessons by
incorporating a variety of teaching methods. Mix lectures with interactive activities, use
multimedia resources, bring in real-life materials, and encourage peer learning. This not
only caters to different learning preferences but also keeps the content fresh and exciting.
Ending on a High Note
The end of your lesson is just as important as the beginning. It’s your chance to consolidate
learning and leave your students with a sense of achievement. Summarize key points,
discuss real-world applications, or even have students reflect on what they’ve learned. A
positive end to a lesson can reinforce content and boost confidence, setting the stage for the
next learning adventure.
Flexibility: The Hallmark of Effective Lesson Execution
Despite the best-laid plans, sometimes things just don’t go according to script—and that’s
okay. The ability to be flexible and responsive to your students’ needs is what transforms a
good teacher into a great one. If a concept isn’t clicking, be ready to adapt your approach.
If a discussion is sparking unexpected interest, don’t be afraid to explore it
further. Responsive teaching is about seizing those teachable moments that arise
spontaneously, turning them into gold mines of learning.
A Coherent Framework for Successful Classroom
Transactions
Ultimately, effective lesson planning is about creating a coherent framework that guides
your teaching. It’s the backbone that supports a dynamic and responsive learning
environment. With a solid plan in hand, you’re equipped to navigate the ebbs and flows of
classroom life, delivering lessons that are as effective as they are memorable.
Challenges and Rewards of Lesson Planning
Let’s not sugarcoat it—lesson planning is a challenge. It requires foresight, creativity, and
a deep understanding of your students and subject matter. But the rewards? They’re
immeasurable. When you see the lightbulb moments, the growth in confidence, and the
genuine excitement for learning in your students, you’ll know that every minute you spent
planning was worth it.
Conclusion
Effective lesson planning is more than a pedagogical requirement; it’s a craft that, when
honed, can transform the learning experience for both teacher and student. It’s about being
prepared yet flexible, structured yet spontaneous, and always, always focused on the needs
of your students. So take these tips, tailor them to your context, and watch as your lessons
come to life in ways you never imagined.
What do you think? How do you prepare for the unexpected in your lessons? What
strategies do you use to ensure your lessons end on a positive note? Share your experiences
and let’s learn from each other’s journeys in the art of lesson planning.

How useful was this post?