A is for All the Things You’ve Learned

As we begin this new year, many of us take pause to reflect on the past year, set goals for the future, and rededicate ourselves to our passions. Let it be the same with our lesson plans. I am sure there are areas where you have grown exponentially, and you need to celebrate that! This has been an unprecedented school year, so it was challenging to have a clear vision of what your teaching would look like way back in August. But now that you’re a bit wiser, it may be a good time to set some goals on where you can still grow as a teacher--whether we maintain this learning model or not.

B is for By Design

Speaking of beginnings, when you lesson plan, if you’re not doing so already, consider beginning with what you want your students to learn: the mastery of a skill, an answer to an essential question, the application of a concept to a new situation, etc. Think about a lesson you have coming up, have you planned for that outcome? After you have solidified what that outcome is in your brain, that is where the fun starts: planning the activities and experiences for your students. But, it can also be challenging in the world of distance and hybrid learning. It is easy to get in a rut when everything is virtual. One framework that I find valuable is the Four C’s. I suggest this as a lens with which to begin.

C is for the Four C’s

By framing our goal for students within these categories we can make our lessons more engaging. Plus, these “soft skills” are important in every environment students may find themselves: school, work, sports, music, volunteering, family, gaming, artistic endeavors, practical jokes - you know, the important stuff. Below I have created a table to help you get started with The Four C’s along with some suggestions of tools and strategies to use in your lessons.

Really, the lightbulb moment for me is that if I want my students to collaborate, communicate, think critically, and be creative, I need to practice those four skills in my lesson planning. Just as the ABC’s work to build meaning once you can incorporate them into words, these building blocks of reflection, backwards design, and the Four C’s can add authentic learning in your classes. As always, all of our coaches would be excited to support you trying any new ideas. Happy New Year and happy planning!