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The Importance of Lesson Planning Amanda Platek Summative Task #2, Lesson Planning This course highlighted the importance of lesson planning in an appropriate manner in order to get the most out of the students. The introduction of the Engage, Study, Activate model, in its various iterations, provides teachers completing this course with a framework they may each build upon for their specific classroom/teaching goals. The versions of ESA, including boomerang and patchwork, allow the application of a tested system in various unique ways, tailored to the student audience. The Engage, Study, Activate model can be applied to a range of English teaching subsets, including reading, grammar, listening, et al. In addition to the specific models of lesson planning, the course provided an excellent framework task sheet for the lesson. Specifically, the units instructed future English teachers to outline teaching aids, procedure, process, learner objective, personal aims, timing, et al, in advance of the lesson to have the most effective and smoothly-running lesson possible. The framework lesson sheet was clear and concise, and emphasized the use of a lesson plan as a guiding tool while teaching. All the same, the course emphasized using a lesson plan as an outline rather than a rigid structure. A teacher must be fluid enough to shift the lesson plan based on student’s specific needs and strengths as the lesson occurs. The role of in-class revision and flexibility is especially important as one adjusts to the culture, specific classroom capabilities, and environment. The video examples stressed the importance of Lesson Planning. Video 2, showing an engaging class, used an ESA lesson plan. Video 1, displaying a class that was confused and intimated, highlighted the risks associated with no solidified plan. Specifically, the lack of the Engage stage in the Video 1 set the class off on an awkward, confusing, and intimidating foot. This unit perhaps most emphasized what can go wrong in a class without a plan and without formal stages. The videos also highlighted certain “unplannables” that you can integrate into a class - i.e. smiling, engaging students, and learning their names, in order to build rapport and in turn, reinforce the efficacy of the lesson plan. As I intend to teach reading to young/elementary level students, I appreciated Unit 7, which explained how to integrate and plan for different types of reading materials. This unit covered different undertakings/types of reading, like skimming, scanning, and predictive skills. While many of these may be more applicable to later learners, they are great tools and techniques to introduce to my future students. These tools also allow the class content to be varied. The method of pre-teaching vocabulary is invaluable, and is something I intend to do before the reading activity. I will also pay more mind, after taking this course, to carefully selecting texts to meet the learners’ levels, varied interests, and cultural understandings. Overall, this course was foundational in preparing me for lesson planning. The emphasis I now place on lesson planning-- in a creative yet structured manner-- is vital for my future success as a teaher. I appreciate the integration of various lesson plans throughout the units. Had I not taken this course, I do not think I would have placed as much importance on lesson planning, and specifically, the utilization of the Engage, Study, Activate model. I am grateful for the introduction to these excellent and valuable techniques.
