Questions+to+Consider+When+Planning+a+Lesson+for+Best+Data+Results

Data not only gives us an "xray" into the students' world of learning, it can lend a helping hand in our teaching practices. You've heard the adage, "If we always do what we've always done, we'll continue to get what we always got". First things come first. We must consider our instruction. Is it viable? Do we mix it up using active student engagement or do we lecture from bell to bell, throwing in a question or two? Do we pelt students with questions, yet never give them time to think about what we are asking before we pelt again and again using what I call the "shotgun" approach to questioning. The following are questions to consider when planning a lesson from the Alabama Reading Initiative Secondary Team 2007 (revised 2009). Truly the first thing to a great lesson is the planning stage, how we plan, and if we plan with others or in isolation.

Give this some time and thought. Responses are welcomed. Copy and paste the question. Share your reflection or reflect in writing your thoughts on the questions as a whole.


 * What is the difference between learn and memorize?
 * What should the students learn today as a result of this lesson?
 * How will this new learning connect / be applicable to the students' lives?
 * How long will it take to truly meet this outcome?
 * How does this lesson connect to state content standards?
 * What type of assessment will best determine if the daily outcome has truly been met?
 * What will motivate the students to want to participate and learn this outcome?
 * How will the instruction need be differentiated to meet the needs of ALL learners in the class?
 * What vocabulary will need to be learned? How will the students learn this pertinent vocabulary?
 * Will background knowledge need to be built or used?
 * What text can be incoporated with this content?
 * How can technology be integrated with this lesson?
 * Will this lesson provide ample opportunities and contexts for the students to engage in dialogue with each other?
 * Will this lesson provide ample opportunities for text reading and writing responses?

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Stephanie Cole-- What will motivate the students to want to participate and learn this outcome? One thing that motivates students in lessons is active participation. This helps to keep the students engaged and learn the outcome. When the students work together or alone to actively respond or create solutions, they can get excited about their ideas being a part of the lesson. This encourages them to focus on the lesson and learn the objectives.

Sharon Sewell - Steph., I google active student participation and student engagement a lot. The ALSDE Strategic Strategies are really good. We use those at my school. I'm like you. I use active engagement almost 90% of the time.

TMcArdle- Engaging the students is very important. I wished we had more access to technology for our students. Students enjoy being on the internet and there are plenty of resources available online that allow the students to get involoved and participate. They can actually play math games and still learn at the same time. Times have changed and we can no longer stand in front of the classroom and lecture bell to bell and expect them to listen. We have to find alternative ways to keep them engaged.

Shar on here: Tambria, have you ever been introduced to the Strategic Strategy Activities the ALSDE provides? You may want to see if your school could get the SDE to come and help you with active student engagement. If I lived closer I would come and help you. I am finding these strategies to be awesome. The pre-planning and planning that goes with it targets the students data and how to help them become more engaged in the classroom.

Yuliya Grecu: it seems to me that students learn the best when they are actively involved and can relate to the subject matter. They can interact with their peers or teachers. There are things that students should memorize, but I like to show them connections between objects, thus they learn to draw conclusions and develop common sense that every one of them needs so much. We are preparing them for life besides preparing them for all the tests. Incorporating technology would bring definite change into the students' day. When I taught at the university, we used an online program. The students had to complete exercises, and the instructor got the results automatically. That was not only something different, but convenient. I was able to see the students' progress and identify theie weaknesses.

 Kim Douglas-My special ed. students struggle during group work, most struggle with simple independent work. They don’t even try to retain information that they need to know. I tell them constantly that they can do better and I expect better. I don’t have anyone this year that is extremely low. I know they can do it if they wanted to, but most just don’t seem to want to. I try to relate all that I can to their daily lives to help them remember and retain information and that normally works, but this years group is totally different. This is going to make future grades even harder for them to be successful.