- Print off a copy of the specification.
- Print the spreadsheet of pupils prior attainment.
- Read the section of the specification that you’re delivering including the learning points preceding and proceeding.
- *Important* Write down all the things as an educator, subject specialist/undergraduate level and a human being you feel will be of value.
- You should now have 10-20 ‘objectives’ on the pages.
- Now circle all the one which involves knowledge acquisition.
- Box all the ones which are about the application of that knowledge.
- Work out what you’re going to teach in your lesson and how that fits in with the everything on the page.
- *Important*. Actually, produce what you want *all* of your pupils to be able to produce at the end of the lesson. If that’s a DT graph, draw the graph, if it’s an argument for and against a point, write down examples of both.
- Now and only now do you start thinking about the tasks involved.
- Which types of tasks/activities will lead them to the end product? How do you support, within the tasks, what will all the pupils need to produce what you’ve just produced? (This will form the foundations of your activities and your differentiation).
- To make your lesson inspiring I also try to incorporate the S.E.R.V.E method (see blog).
- Plan to address all pupils in the lesson (or series of lessons). Plan some example questions and who you will aim these questions too. As you become more experienced this becomes more organic. I still keep a log (a dot next to their names on the register) of interactions to ensure I interact with everyone.
- For me, I start with a zip test (see blog)
- Then I use my expertise in gathering data, by data I mean the what works well with who. This is dependent on the group, certain nuances will mean certain things be more efficient than others. i.e. ‘Johny hates being asked to speak in front of the class’) and ‘being aware of Seema she takes over the learning in group work activities’). If it’s your first lesson, go with a more generic approach.
- Then teach a section (which leads to the outcome). The content or the method of delivery is of no real consequence make sure you use the data from step 15.
- Assess what each pupil has picked up. Try different methods, some are really fickle thumbs up/down (still have some value), others such as peer assessment of exam questions in other context are less so, never underestimate the value of your interactions in your walk around.
- If there are pupil who have not picked up the necessary. ACT
- This action could be as small as moving a pupil to another pupil, who you know has a grasp of the subject to giving pupils a further task; and Reteach that aspect of the lesson. (Ensure the reteach is different to the original)
- Repeat the above until all pupils can produce your product.
- The pupils have gone, now marking their books. This should be easier as you’re only marking for your objectives. Has the pupil shown you that they have picked up objective? if so extend them with another task, if not, give them the means to access it and reassess.