“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” – Benjamin Franklin

Creating and implementing effective lesson plans aligns with several APSTs. It demonstrates my ability to design engaging learning experiences, cater to diverse needs and promote student understanding through well-structured and well-sequenced instruction.

My lesson plans are normally structured to set the lesson expectations, outline, and then check for understanding. I have modified my template throughout the year as I receive feedback from my supervising teachers or learn something useful along the way I can include.

I also like to end my lesson with a “Quote of the Day.” I picked up this idea from the HOD and supervising teacher at Unity College during my practicum last year. During this time, I enjoyed watching the students wait for the day’s quote before letting the teacher finish the lesson.
I am proud to say that I am at the same stage where the year 9 students always ask me what the quote of the day is as we prepare to pack up. I have created a Pinterest Board to curate quotes I can use as I found the quotes can’t be too complicated and I also want to encourage the students with quotes that can help them succeed.

A Selection of Lesson Plans.

Creating Resources

I have been teaching Year 9 Furnishing this term on their LED Lamp Project this term. I have created many PowerPoint, including links to YouTube explainer videos, worksheets, models and created and played Blooket and Quizziz games to check their understanding. This unit has a lot of theory, and since I am teaching a different Year 9 class next semester, I am also working on moving some of the theory into the Jeep project to spread the theory over the two projects. This will involve reworking the jeep project to incorporate electrical components into the design but I think it will be a better flow of theory vs practical. After the two units are re-written, I will have the current version to tackle all theory in one term and another set to spread it out over the semester for both projects (just in case things change between now and then).
Another teacher is taking on the other Year 9 class next term, which will be doing the same projects, so he is happy there will be resources for him to use. In light of this, I am making the resources very detailed so he and other teachers in the future can use them for the Jeep and LED Lamp projects.

Here is an example of the old version of the Jeep Project and the new version I am working on.

Here are examples of PowerPoint created and presented during this term’s theory classes.

Click the 3 dots to download PDF

Click the 3 dots to download PDF

Blooket has been a great resource to check for understanding and engage the students in gamification.

APST’S

Creating & Teaching from lesson plans:

As a teacher focused on secondary education, creating lesson plans goes hand-in-hand with several APSTs (Australian Professional Standards for Teachers). Here’s how they come into play for me:
1.2 Knowledge and understanding of the specific content and teaching strategies of the learning area(s) you teach: Writing clear and concise instructions demonstrates the teacher’s understanding of the learning objectives and the key concepts they want students to grasp.
2.5. Create an engaging and effective learning environment. Lesson Plans should include differentiated curriculum, collaborative learning and higher-order thinking skills that are connected to the syllabus outcomes/objectives.
Core Focus: Planning and Engaging Secondary Learners.
3. Planning for and implementing effective teaching and learning: This is the bread and butter of lesson planning and it emphasises my ability to design lessons that fit the specific needs of my secondary students.
3.1 Plan and Design: I consider the secondary curriculum, learning objectives, and the diverse range of learning styles and abilities present in my classroom. This ensures all students have a chance to succeed.
3.2 Cater to Diverse Needs: Secondary students have a wider range of interests and learning styles than younger students. My lesson plans incorporate strategies to address these differences and ensure everyone feels engaged and challenged.
3.3 Develop Conceptual Understanding: Subjects in secondary education delve deeper. My lessons break down complex concepts into manageable steps and integrate activities that promote critical thinking and analysis skills, which is essential for this age group.
3.6 Creating Resources:
4. Creating and implementing engaging learning experiences: Keeping secondary students engaged requires different approaches.
4.1 Engaging Activities: My lesson plans translate into stimulating, age-appropriate activities that capture students’ interest and encourage active participation. Gone are the days of simple worksheets!
4.2 Effective Learning Sequences: Lesson structure becomes even more important for secondary students. I plan a clear flow of activities that build on each other, leading them towards achieving the specific learning objectives I’ve set for them.
4.5 Use ICT safely, responsibly and ethically. PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams, AutoDesk Inventor, Adobe Illustrator, Email, YouTube, Word, Excel, Blooket, Quizizz, Daymap, and OneSchool are TinkerCAD some of the tools for this term’s classes, projects, lesson and unit plans.
5.1 Assess, provide feedback and report on student learning (indirectly): Clear written instructions can help students understand what is expected of them, potentially leading to improved performance in tasks or assessments.
6.2 Use ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) effectively to support learning and teaching (if applicable): If the teacher uses digital tools like interactive whiteboards or incorporates digital elements into their written instructions, this standard could be relevant.

Additional Connections.
While some connections are less direct, other APSTs also play a role:
1. Knowledge and understanding (limited): Effective lesson planning requires a strong understanding of the secondary curriculum, student development at this age, and age-appropriate teaching practices.
2. Professional practice (limited): Delivering well-designed plans that consider the specific needs of secondary students contributes to upholding professional standards.
5. Assessment and providing feedback (limited): Lesson plans often incorporate assessment strategies tailored for secondary students to gauge their learning and inform future instruction.
6. Professional engagement (limited): Sharing lesson plans or collaborating with colleagues on lesson planning specifically for secondary education can contribute to professional development and knowledge exchange.

Overall, creating effective lesson plans for secondary students allows me to showcase my ability to design engaging learning experiences, cater to diverse needs, and promote critical thinking while aligning with the core principles of the APST framework. It’s a challenging but rewarding process that helps me ensure my students get the most out of their secondary education journey!

Lesson Plans Examples to Download

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