Every action has a process to follow in order for something to be done succcessfully. Every place has a map to give directions so that no one gets lost. Every novel has an outline made by the author or writer in order for the story to develop and unfold, and every discussion has a lesson plan that contains main topics that are needed to be addressed and understood to achieve the goal of a class discussion. When you become a teacher, one of the things that you need to learn is making the discussion map or also known as the lesson plan.
Hello, Hivers! It's makiyumee here! Welcome to my new blog series which is entitled "My Journey to Becoming a Teacher" where this series tackles about my experiences as I take on the path to becoming a future educator. Today, I am going to share to you the first chapter of the series which is my experience in making a lesson plan. Alright, let's begin!
What is a lesson plan? For starters, a lesson plan is an itinerary or framework that teachers create prior to conducting their discussions. It specifies what has to be done, what materials are required, the duration of the discussion will go, and what should be learnt and implemented. It's a long procedure, and each step must be completed precisely to avoid errors and miscommunications.
Lesson plans have become crucial for teachers because they provide a structured framework for implementing discussions, ensuring that the goals of the lesson are met, the time of the discussion is allocated properly, and all of the lessons that need to be learned are fulfilled, as well as for students to learn what they need to know.
At first glance, I thought making a lesson plan was as easy as standing and sitting or lying down. But no, it wasn't, and that was a fact that slapped me harder than how my mother used to spank me when I was young and reckless because of how I always play outside during rainy and sunny days. Now, let's take a trip down memory lane as I share to you my experiences in making a lesson plan as an integral part in fulfilling my degree.
Our class began planning lessons in our second year. During the first semester, we had this certain course in which we were tasked with creating a lesson plan on a topic associated with our choice, and we were also given the option of randomly choosing the grade level we wanted to implement our lesson plan in.
The first lesson plan models that I made in that particular course was the A.D.D.I.E. model and A.S.S.U.R.E. model. As a first timer and as a student who's still learning, it was pretty obvious that I had no idea what these lesson plan models were, how to make them and how they are going to be implemented inside a classroom and during a discussion.
During the discussion of my teacher which was conducted online since when I was in second year, classes were done via Google Meet or Zoom because of COVID-19 and the lockdown. These platforms had been a huge help as an alternative in delivering discussion to a large number of students. So as the discussion went on, I was listening carefully to what my teacher was explaining since I was eager to get know on how to make these kinds of lesson plans. But as the class almost came to an end, my brain seemed to stop working and at that time, I thought I forgot how to think and understand for a moment.
Every information that came in out from my teacher's mouth seemed to be processing slowly inside my brain. My teacher was just reading what was on his PowerPoint and he wasn't really explaining it so that we can understand. After the discussion, our teacher gave us the task to make the lesson plan and he gave us about four days to finish it and the problem starts here. I remembered how bothered I was at that time. I searched every corner of the internet on how to make the A.D.D.I.E and A.S.S.U.R.E; I also did a self-study since relying on my teacher's explanation was useless.
Most of the days that was given to us in making the lesson plans were spent in self-studying and watching videos on how to make the lesson plans. When the night of the deadline came and our last deadliest deadline was at 11:59 pm, I found myself working on the two models as fast as I could. I didn't even know if what I was doing was right or wrong, I just typed in whatever came to my mind and remembered what I had learned.
The most annoying part of making these lesson plan models was that I finished my first semester in second year without even knowing if what I did was exactly how the A.D.D.I.E. and the A.S.S.U.R.E. lesson plan model should be made because our teacher didn't give single feedback or even corrected our works. Annoying right? Anyway, let's forget about that because I've moved on. It's just a shame that I didn't get to learn how to properly make those models.
When the second semester of my second year in college came, I had another course that required making lesson plans but this time, the model to be used was different. If I remembered correctly, this lesson plan was called Project-based and Performance-based. Yey, another set of lesson plan models to be learned. Great, really. But I wasn't excited to be honest because the thought of my teacher not checking if what I did-what our class did was right or wrong made me anxious.
It felt like I was traumatized because I don't want to finish college without learning a thing in making lesson plans, especially with the different models out there. So when the Performance-based and Project-based models were discussed to us, I was a relieved when our teacher guided us in making the lesson plans. It was really nice actually and our teacher even gave us a large amount of time for us to work on these two models. But when the second semester came to an end and the deadline for our lesson plans arrived, I got anxious again and lots of what if's came to my mind like:
"What if my teacher will not check my work thoroughly again and won't give me the feedback that I want to hear?"
"What if I can't learn these models and, in the future, I will be needing these for my students?"
And I was right. My teacher did not check mine or my classmates' lesson plans. But I understand though because my teacher had an important conference to attend and other important meetings that were for the benefit of the school. Yup, and that's how my second year in college ended. Until now I am still wondering if my teacher had checked those lesson plan of ours.
Third year in college. New classroom, new courses, new teachers and of course, new lesson plans to make. But as a third tear college student taking up bachelor in secondary education, lesson plans are the only things made in this particular stage- teaching demonstrations are also included. This made me so stunned and I remembered how I trembled on my seat while thinking about teaching in front of my classmates who'll act as my students. I felt my knees turn into jelly, my stomach was twisting and turning, while my throat got dry like sand. It was an awful memory.
During the first semester of my third year, I learned about the *4A's *and the 5A's lesson plan model, and I appreciate the teacher that taught me and my classmates because he did a great job in explaining how to make the model and what are other things that needed to be done. We also did peer critiquing and presenting what we have critiqued in front, which was so nerve-wracking in my experience. I remembered how I stuttered a lot in front of my teacher and the whole class after I was called to present what me and my group had critiqued. We were not ready that time and I was already anxious on my seat and when the teacher called my name, it felt like my heart was about to pop out from my chest! Goodness, it was really frightening.
But despite all of that, I was still glad because I learned a lot from that teacher even if he was the kind of teaching who shows a strict and authoritative demeanor. That teacher was the reason why I can make lesson plans using the 4A's and the 5A's models which is crucial since our internship is coming. That teacher really helped me, and my classmates prepare ourselves before we embark on our next step as future educators, and I thank him for that even though I always get scared during his class.
That would be all for this part. I hope you had fun reading my experience and well, learned some lessons too😁.
