Formula for Success

The Magic of the Five-Point Lesson Plan

Try out the five point lesson planning system for continued success.

The five point lesson plan system provides teachers with a template for how to structure lessons and organize the very precious classroom time. The approximate timing for each point is based upon a ninety minute class.

What is the five point lesson plan system?

1. 1

   The Warm-Up

   The idea of a warm-up is not a new one, but this plan stresses what an important role it plays in each and every class. Every lesson should begin with a light-hearted activity with the purpose of getting students revved up for class, and might even get them up out of their chairs. The warm-up should be concise—limited to no more than ten minutes. It also should focus on the practice of anything the students have recently been exposed to, whether it be from the last lesson, or from a month ago. This technique helps ensure that previously studied material doesn't get left behind or forgotten. Introducing it in a fresh, energetic way will inspire students to participate and give them confidence. The last guideline for the warm-up is that is should be simple to introduce and easy to carry out. The warm-up is not the place to launch into a complicated game with a lot of directions. The point of the warm-up is to keep it light and airy and allow students to get moving with their bodies and more importantly, natural language skills.

2. 2

   Introduction

   The introduction is the only part of the lesson that might be constituted as lecture. It consists of a short explanation of either a new grammar point, or a review of the last grammar point that needs continuation. The introduction often includes some board work or handouts to provide the students with some reference materials. The introduction should also be fairly brief—no more than 15 minutes--because it is really the only time when the teacher is presenting material to students. With that said, it is important to present the information in a student-centered way wherein the students can ask questions, and comprehension checks play a role in the introduction before you move on to practice.

3. 3

   Practice

   The practice section gets the bulk of attention and time in your lesson. The practice is the follow-up to the introduction, so therefore should focus on practicing whatever was explained. It is a good idea to have two to three practice activities lined up, and to make sure that you account time for the set-up of activities. Practice should be thorough and last about 30 to 40 minutes. This is the creative section of your lesson plan, and should contain a lot of varied practice that focuses on incorporating the four language skills. Grammar doesn't do anyone any good until it can be used for practical application. Bring in real-world practice, and utilize games, technology, rounds, and any other method you can think of to keep students engaged and actively practicing language.

4. 4

   Homework Correction Activity

   Sometimes it is easy to overlook homework or hard to find time to correct it. If you make it a point to spend time reviewing homework in your plan, you will be more mindful when you give assignments. It is imperative that students do some kind of homework after every lesson. Even if it is something simple like writing three sentences or doing a quick page of fill in the blanks. It is important to give them something to take home to reflect upon the lesson and draw out possible problem areas or questions. This fourth point is wonderful because it asks the teacher to look at homework correction creatively. Make it an experience. Turn it into a game, or assign points. However you choose to make it interactive, it has to be more than just reading out answers for check marks. This section shouldn't be more than 10-15 minutes and many times this section can be moved to point number two to jump start your review.

5. 5

   The Wrap-Up

   The wrap-up is the conclusion of the lesson. A few elements need to be covered at the end of the class, and by building it into your plan, you will never again be hollering a homework assignment to students as they are running out the door to the next class. The wrap up has a few elements in it, and should only be 5-10 minutes long. First, it should contain a homework assignment and explanation of that assignment. Within the explanation should be clear directions written on the board and reviewed verbally. Following that should be at least two examples done as a class. After that reiterate when it is due and what pages or sections will be covered. If you know that you are going to have students do something interactive with their homework, try to alert them ahead of time so that they come to class prepared. There is nothing worse than half of the class blowing off the homework, so the brilliant activity you designed to cover it, falls flat. The wrap-up should give students one last element to walk away with. Whether it is going back to your first example or asking them to consider a question about grammar, end on a high note.

The five-point lesson plan can help you organize your ideas, save you time, and create a rhythm to your lessons that is seamless.

Try this formula and you will discover solutions to your biggest lesson planning setbacks!