Lesson Planning 101

Lesson planning for your class can be a very difficult task. However, there are some important factors to consider that guide your lesson planning. First thing to consider is the TEKS for the grade you are teaching. Here are the TEKS for first grade, which is the grade I am interning for. I have brainstormed and created some rough drafts of lesson plans I could implement in my class based on first grade TEKS.

1. Rhyming is a skill that first graders should learn. Therefore, I can give the students a worksheet with eight turkeys on it with different words on the inside of the turkeys. Each word will have another word that rhymes with it in another turkey, making four pairs. The students will find which words rhyme, and color the two turkeys the same color. This will allow them to practice their rhyming skills, while also building up skills in their hands by coloring inside the lines to build up their handwriting.

2. Alphabetizing is also a skill that first graders should know. Therefore, I can write their spelling words on notecards and put ten cards in ziplock baggies. Then I can divide the class up into groups of four and have them work together to alphabetize their spelling words. This will allow them to see their spelling words and get familiar with them, while also practicing alphabetizing words and working on teamwork skills.

3. Addition and subtraction are also skills that first graders need to know. Therefore, I could make flashcards mixed with addition and subtraction problems that the class has reviewed. I could set up a game called around the world where two students stand up and I hold up a flashcard. The first student to say the correct answer gets to move on to the next person's desk. The loser would sit down and not move on. This would allow a fun little competitive game that the students could play while also practicing their math.