Focused Lesson Planning: Helping Teachers Examine and Develop Their Own Mindset

This book provides teachers with a professional planning strategy that is lean and timesaving, focusing on the students and the outcomes they need to achieve. It highlights the importance of tasks as planning tools and offers suggestions for learning activities. It is suitable for independent work or use by teacher educators and cooperating teachers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 100 pages
Publication date: 23 July 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

This comprehensive book is a valuable resource for teachers seeking to plan units and lessons in a highly focused and effective manner. It introduces readers to a professional planning strategy that is both lean and time-saving, ensuring that energy is not wasted on irrelevant side issues. The core of this approach lies in placing the students and their desired outcomes at the center of the planning process. By adopting a backward approach, the book ensures that all planning steps are aligned with the ultimate goal of learning success. This prevents teachers from overplanning, underplanning, or misplanning, as they have a clear roadmap to follow.

One of the key aspects emphasized in the book is the importance of tasks as planning tools for teachers. Well-set tasks not only reveal the teacher's intentions and the content to be learned but also provide students with a clear understanding of what will be assessed and how. Developing and applying planning around meaningful tasks is a central focus of the book, as it helps teachers create engaging and effective learning experiences for their students.

Throughout the text, the author offers numerous suggestions for learning activities that can be incorporated into units and lessons. These activities are designed to promote student engagement, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The book is suitable for independent work through, making it an invaluable resource for teachers who prefer to plan their lessons independently. However, it can also be effectively used by teacher educators and cooperating teachers as a reference guide for planning sessions and professional development activities.

In conclusion, this book is a must-read for teachers who want to improve their planning skills and create engaging and effective learning experiences for their students. Its comprehensive approach, focus on meaningful tasks, and practical suggestions make it a valuable resource for educators at all levels. By adopting a backward approach and placing the students' needs at the forefront of planning, teachers can ensure that their teaching strategies are aligned with the goal of learning success.

Weight: 218g
Dimension: 220 x 154 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781475869101