The Structure of an Effective Lesson

(Adapted from Tweak to Transform - improving teaching: a practical handbook for school leaders by Mike Hughes)

Phase One

·       Work from previous lesson is reviewed.

·       Lesson is placed in a wider context- students are provided with an overview.

·       Specific Learning Intentions are shared with learners.

·       Targets – collective and individual – are set by the teacher and generated by learners.

·       There is a sense of challenge for all pupils.

Phase Two

·       Information is presented in short chunks.

·       Exposition is kept brief and does not exceed learners’ concentration span.

·       Teacher frequently ask a mixture of open and closed questions to check for understanding.

·       New information is delivered in a variety of ways, to suit students with visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learning preferences.

·       Teacher checks that all learners understand technical language and subject-specific terms.

Phase Three

·       Frequent teacher-learner and peer interactions.

·       Time allowed for learners to think about and discuss their responses to questions.

·       Questions that encourage learners to reflect on their thinking.

·       Opportunities for learners to generate questions.

·       Learners fully engaged in their lessons.

·       Tasks develop understanding and opportunities are given for pupils to demonstrate their understanding.

·       Tasks enable teacher to assess understanding.

·       An emphasis is put on encouraging pupils to work independently.

Phase Four

·       Sufficient time devoted to reviewing what has been learned.

·       Learners actively engaged in the review process.

·       Explicit reference to Learning Intentions.

·       Learners encouraged to reflect on how they have learned.