Having a lesson plan outline will allow you to present organized information to your class, enhance and evaluate student learning, and increase your level of preparedness.  Being prepared can lessen anxiety about leading a class.
 

The Day's Lesson

• Identify your goals and objectives.  What is it that you want students to retain? 

• Describe any class activities you might be using that day, including the materials needed.

• List any handouts you will need.

• List the media you will need (laptop, overhead, document camera, video, DVD).

• Outline the lesson.  Elaborate on difficult parts or those with complicated sequences or considerable data.  The more you put here the easier it is to work later with students who missed a point or class.  Include estimates of how much time you will spend on each part.  Create a plan about what to do if your estimates are wrong.

• Include the exact drawings you plan to put on the board.

• Include some questions that you might wish to ask as you go through the lesson.

Starting Each Class

• Put the day's content and/or activity on the board before class.  Putting it on the board help you as you go through the class and helps students keep organized and see where you are going.

• Identify what parts of previous lessons you will review in the first few minutes.  Such review is very effective for student learning.

Ending Class

• Write our your summary and important facts of the lesson.  Watch the clock and stop early enough to wrap things up and summarize main points.

• Write down the assignment for the next class and a reminder of future deadlines or events.