Week Six: Successful Lesson Plans and Student Creativity

I gauge the success of a lesson in a number of ways. Some of them happen during the lesson and other indicators are observed through analysis and assessment scores following the lesson. I begin by making observations of student reaction during the lesson. If students are attentive and engaged, I make a mental note that the lesson is progressing well. Student feedback and reaction during the lesson are crucial indicators of the progress of a lesson. I continue to observe student conversation during small group interaction, listening for evidence of comprehension of the instructional material. After the lesson, I reflect on the instructional time and analyze the various assessment tools completed by the students. There is typically a homework or classwork assignment associated with each lesson. I use the students’ assessment results on these assignments to gauge how successfully the students achieved the learning goals of the lesson. Depending on where the lesson falls in a unit, it might be followed with a quiz or an exit ticket. The accuracy rate of student responses indicates how much of the lesson content the students understood and what parts of the lesson need to be reviewed.

The assignments I offer students allow them to show their individuality and creativity as long as the objectives of the assignment are met. I taught United States History during the summer last year. My term project included choices for a number of different final products. Students were allowed to write short stories, term papers, illustrated timelines, and online blog postings. The students turned in products that were as varied as they were. I gave the students a list of guidelines for the assignment that ensured an equitable amount of work and assessment value for each product. I did this because throughout instruction, it became apparent that my students learned in different ways. In my current class, I have assigned projects that allow students to work in groups to create a comprehensive product that reflects the individual talents of each student. This gives students an opportunity to work together and exhibit their achievement of the learning goals in a way that is tailored to their personal strengths and creativity.