new teacher q & a

Q: Where can I find good ideas for lesson plans?

Sep 17, 2009 11:59 AM

A: Lesson plans are essential tools for all teachers, no matter how new or experienced. As the educator responsible for providing classroom instruction to your students, you are responsible for developing lesson plans but you can determine their format, organization, notation and content. Your supervisor may suggest, but cannot require, a particular format unless you have received, or are about to receive, a U-rating.

Your supervisor may ask to see your lesson plan at any time. Don’t assume that there is a problem, but if you need help perfecting your lesson plans, ask your supervisor for suggestions. This will give you a better sense of what your supervisor’s expectations are.

For additional help with lesson planning, you can contact your mentor; math or literacy coach or lead teacher; or the UFT Teacher Center staff person in your school. You should also attend the UFT Teacher Center’s Especially for New Teachers Network and seminars [see "Lesson planning a challenge? The UFT can help" for details].

Besides these personal resources, there are some very good online resources for lesson plans. Start with the UFT Web site for Lesson Plan Help. There you will find links to a broad range of helpful Web sites, featuring different subject areas and a variety of ideas.

Also, check the Department of Education Teacher Page at http://schools.nyc.gov/Teachers/QuickLinks/state standards.htm. There you will find links to the state standards as well as teaching resources in many subject areas. Then there’s the AFT’s Tools for Teachers at http://aft.org/tools4teachers/index.htm, which includes tips for lessons, classroom management and lots of other information.

You will find some of these resources more useful or more user-friendly than others so explore them until you find the ones that work for you.