Focus on one educational goal for your mini-lesson. You might increase enjoyment of literature, teach conventions of the English language, develop awareness of rhyme, promote cooperation, or stimulate creativity. The important thing is to keep your focus narrow and the lesson brief; your lesson should be no longer than 10 to 15 minutes.
Identify the most appropriate instructional strategy for your educational goal. Teach the skill directly, brainstorm responses, lead students in a discussion, use cooperative learning, model the desired skill, set up learning centers, make a chart, use puppets, or select a combination of these approaches.
Outline your steps. For instance, if you’re asking students to brainstorm possible endings to a story as a way to increase enjoyment of literature, identify the question you’ll pose, whether students will work in small or large groups to form their responses, and how their answers will be recorded.
Determine an assessment strategy. You might simply observe students’ responses and effort. Another approach is videotaping their involvement. Record your notes in their files or portfolios when the mini-lesson calls for a more formal approach.