 Lesson planning. Why bother with a lesson plan? It's an aid to planning. A lesson plan helps you identify a clear destination for your lesson. It helps you to mark out the route to that destination. It's a working document. A lesson plan helps you identify a clear destination for your lesson. It helps you to mark out the route to that destination. It's a record. A lesson plan helps you keep track of what you have covered with your students. It also helps other teachers cover your lessons if you're ill. Lesson planning do's and don'ts. Keep it simple. If you need to refer to it in a lesson, a quick glance should tell you what you need to know. Don't write a script of the lesson. Structure your plan and keep the same structure. Note the expected timing for each activity. Activities should be connected, giving the lesson a logical pattern. Variety is needed to keep the students engaged. Try to anticipate student responses to questions. Do not stick rigidly to the plan. Be flexible when necessary. The lesson planning process. Prepare. Who are your students? What are your goals? What materials or equipment will be needed? How long will activities take? What are potential problems? How does it fit with previous and future lessons? Teach. Be prepared to respond to students' needs in the class. Keep your eye on the objective, but be flexible. Reflect. How did the lesson go? Did you predict potential problems well? What parts of the lesson worked out and what didn't? How could they have been done differently? What parts of your teaching need improving?