Outline your goals and objectives for the classroom. Know which lessons you want to teach and what the desired outcome of each lesson is. Write down what activities and discussions belong with each lesson plan.
Make a timeline for your lessons but have a backup plan. When students are engaged in an activity or discussion, time can easily slip away, eating into your next lesson. Set a specific time for each activity. If a lesson does not last as long as you want it to, have a backup discussion or activity to move on to.
Observe your students and take notes on their interests. Look at special needs, strengths and weakness among your students. Take into account activities that might exclude students based on physical, religious or emotional reasons.
Plan hands-on activities that appeal to your students and that lead to discussions. Use lesson plans that allow students to work together and combine them with activities each student can do alone. Incorporate field trips into your lesson plans so children can experience what they are learning.
Request feed back from students and parents about activities they liked and did not like. Keep a record of successful and unsuccessful lessons.
Review your year and weed out ideas and activities that did not work well. Build on lessons and activities that met your expectations.