PLANNING IN TEACHING

1.1 Introduction

Planning is an important gradient in the teaching learning process. As a teacher you are expected
to plan and think through what you are going to present to learners. Critical thinking is required
for one to be an effective teacher. In this unit we are going to introduce to you what is involved
in the planning process.

1.2 Scheme of work

This is a record that is made by the teacher to show the work that will be covered for the whole
term. Each teacher should indicate briefly at the beginning of each week what is actually going
to be taught in each subject to a particular class in the coming week. In this way, if a teacher
falls sick or leaves, the School Manager should be able to hand over to the replacement, a well
designed scheme of work should done so that teaching is not interrupted and the class does not
suffer should there be any changes. A normal term has 13 weeks.

1.3 Scheme Preparation Stage

This is the stage when a teacher prepares the scheme of work. This document is similar to a
syllabus in that it comprises study topics to be taught to learners over a specific period. The
topics in the scheme result from breaking the broad syllabus into small teachable ones. The
scheme has information on the methods and teaching aids to be used when teaching, envisaged
activities and reference materials. Schemes of work are usually prepared at the beginning of the
year or term in which the course of study takes place.

1.4 Actual preparation of a scheme of work

To prepare a scheme of work, one needs to do the following:

 Determine the amount of time available i.e. the number of weeks in the term and the
periods per week minus public holidays that fall on the teaching days as well as the first
day of the term.

 Break the syllabus topics according to available time.

 Indicate envisaged methods, activities and teaching aids as well reference materials.

 Provide time for revision and tests. The former may be used for teaching should things
occur that hinder completion of the planned work.

1.5 Importance of the Schemes of Work

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  It helps in understanding and retention of work. The proper sequencing of topics in the
scheme of work enables learning to take place in a logical and orderly manner which in
turn helps in understanding and retention of the learnt material.

 Allowing correlation in teaching some schemes are made by teachers in schools. It is

possible for similar topics in different subjects to be taught following one another to
enable pupils understand them fully.

 Allowing proper use of time. A teacher determines the coverage of the various syllabus
topics to teach in order to allocate the right amount of time when teaching. This ensures
that neither too much nor too little time is given to any when they are delivered to
learners.

 Making lesson preparations easy. This is so because teachers do not have to worry about
what to teach next or what aids or references to use when they complete a topic and wish
to start a new one.

The Scheme of work

Wee Topic Learning Teaching Methods References
k outcomes aids

1.6 The lesson plan and the lesson

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A lesson plan is a structured plan for the teaching/learning interaction. Its purpose is to guide the
development of the lesson. It is prepared before the lesson takes place. The success or failure of
any lesson depends upon the kind of preparation that the teacher has put in or carried out before
its presentation.

Lesson plans are important in so far as they constitute building blocks of the schemes of work
and syllabus. During planning the lesson variables ought to be considered.

 The Why variable – which implies the lesson objectives.

 The Who variable – which implies pupils or group of learners for whom the lesson is
being prepared.

 The What variable – which implies content or subject matter of the lesson.

 The Where and When variables which implies the setting or atmosphere in which the
lesson will take place. Will it be big or small? Will the time be conducive?

 The How variable – which entails the methods to be used as well as the teaching/learning
aids.

1.7 The format or structure of the lesson plan comprises the following sections

 Vital Statistics, i.e. the subject, stream if any, the number of pupils, time or duration,
date, lesson topic and behavioural objectives.

 Introduction or start of the lesson

 Body of the lesson which is divided into parts namely: content/teacher’s

activities/learner’ activities.

 Conclusion

 Follow up

 Self-evaluation.

1.8 Some hints on lesson delivery

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  The lesson must start on time.

 Its introduction should be brief, relevant and captivating as well as provide proper linkage
to learnt material of the lesson.

 The development should be properly sequenced e.g. on chorological basis.

 The lesson should be delivered knowledgeably with the teacher portraying a good grasp
of his/her subject matter.

 It should be accompanied with adequate involvement of the pupils.

Lesson plan

School :……………………………………………………….. Date……../…………/…………

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Grade:…………………………………………………………..Time…………………………….

Subject:…………………………………………………………Dution…………………………..

Topic:…………………………………………………… No. of Pupils……………………

T/L ADIS:………………………………………………………………………………………

Reference:…………………………………………………

Learning Outcomes:

1……………………………………………………………………………………………………

2……………………………………………………………………………………………………

3…………………………………………………………………………………………

Introduction:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………...

Lesson Development

Teacher`s activity Pupil`s activity duration

Conclusion:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
..

Evaluation:
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………….

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