In planning my first set of lesson plans, I felt that many things went well, which surprised

me. What went well for my group’s lesson plan was the flow and organization of the lesson

content itself. I thought that the procedure of the lesson flowed naturally from one point to the

next. We went from shape to shape, starting with the simplest to the most complex. After

explaining the shapes, I felt that appropriate and relative worksheets and activities were

presented both to enhance learning, and to challenge the students by way of assessment. Our

preparation and research portions were challenging but fun. I don’t think we realized how much

work went into discovering an age-appropriate app! But after getting through the first few apps,

we knew what we were looking for and eventually found it. The hardest research was the core

standard research. We did earnestly sift through many lesson standards until we found the

proper lessons for our selected age group. The written plan was well organized for our first run.

It was easy for us to read and understand and it was descriptive enough to jog our memories on

what needed to be covered. Since this was the only form I’ve worked with, I am not sure of a

better way to write lesson plans at this time. When it came to the presentation of the lesson

plan, I felt that my group presented well and that each piece of the lesson flowed well into the

next seamlessly and sensibly. We got the students involved using both worksheets and

assessments, along with getting them to answer lesson-related questions during the lesson. Our

lesson paced well but probably had more in it than a typical class would have time for. Finally,

the assessment portion was not too hard and not too easy. The students had to identify shapes

using the ipad and homework sheet. We felt that they should have been able to adequately

perform the assessments based on the lesson knowledge we provided to them.

The problems that my group experienced centered on acquiring the proper apps on the

ipad in order to adequately facilitate our exercises and assessments. Several of the apps we

had originally selected were either difficult to use or not fulfilling to our needs of the lesson plan.

We were finally able to locate and integrate the appropriate apps and were happy with how they

complimented our lessons. The second challenge was to determine how many segments of the
lesson it would take to fill a forty-five minute class period. Since the three of us have never

created lesson plans and taught, it was tough to estimate how long each segment would take

and how many segments it would take. We finally cut down the lesson plan to about for or five

shapes, followed by just a couple of activities and homework.

I’m not really sure what was meant by the question of whether or not the lesson was student-

centered, but our lesson was designed to increase the student’s knowledge of shapes and how

to properly identify shapes.

If we could do it again, I personally would not change much as I felt all aspects of the

lesson plan were satisfactory for what our intentions were. I’m sure that if we’d had the

opportunity to teach this in front of real first-graders, we would’ve been able to determine how

long each segment should be. According to the common core, we felt that all of our lessons

were age-appropriate; the same can be said about our choice of ipad applications. The only

thing I would improve would be the modifications for those who are either remedial or disabled

in any way. More experience in the classroom will help in that portion of lesson planning.

In reflection, I learned that lesson plans are not as difficult as I was afraid they would be.

I also learned that lesson plans are ESSENTIAL to keeping a flowing lesson, to stay on task,

and to deliver an organized collection of information. I will learn to rely on lesson plans for

everything I do in the classroom.