What makes a good lesson ?

A good lesson is well planned

• Teacher clearly identifies the purpose of the lesson.

• Teacher finds out what students already know and builds upon this information.

• Lesson sequence involves a number of stages and activities, guided by the teacher.

• Effective questioning is planned by the teacher.

• Classroom organisation and management of resources has been planned.

• Teacher decides on how to measure student achievement.

• Process and product are both planned.

A good lesson is motivating Not too much teacher talking and lecturing. Not too much passive listening by students and chorus answering Activities are motivating, interesting and challenging. Activities promote higher level thinking, problem solving and include open ended tasks. Current events and first hand experiences increase interest and motivation levels.

A good lesson involves active learning Learning by doing - Students are active, doing, involved, participating. Interaction between students - group work, pairs, co-operative working Students are finding out, problem solving Students are the focus of the lesson, not the teacher. The learning process is the focus.

What about lesson plans?

A lesson plan with a PAKEM focus may include:

• The focus of the teaching and learning in the lesson (the competencies)

• What is needed to teach the lesson (materials and resources)

• The sequence of the lesson

• The process and the product of the lesson; what the students will do and how (process) and how the students will demonstrate their learning (product)