A good lesson plan should include a set of goals. These goals can include what the teacher hopes to accomplish during the lesson and long-term goals for an entire unit. Setting goals is a good way to begin planning a lesson, because it provides guidelines for teachers to follow when the lesson goes off course.
The objectives portion of a lesson plan details what students should learn during the lesson and why. The objectives should be detailed and specific, and may include objectives for the lesson and for a unit as a whole. The teacher may wish to break down the objectives into sections depending on the type of lesson plan being prepared. Lesson plans may also include social, emotional and behavioral objectives, notes Middle Tennessee State University.
The procedures portion of a lesson plan is often the largest because it details all of the steps teachers will use to meet the goals and objectives of the lesson plan. While new teachers may include every step of their procedure, more experienced teachers may write a general outline of what they plan to do, notes the University of Southern California. Procedures might include how a teacher plans to distribute materials for a lesson, how students will be seated, and even a script or notes for a lecture. Many teachers also include an estimated time for each procedure to help them manage their time during the lesson.
Teachers should also list any assignments they want students to complete. This may include in-class assignments, group assignments and homework or long-term assignments. The teacher should also include details about how the assignments should be completed and when they should be handed in. Teachers may also include an assessment portion that details how students will be graded for the work they complete for the lesson. This may include points given for participating in class and rubrics for assignments that students hand in.