Sentry Page Protection

Please Wait...

Unit 5 Student Login Hi, (First Name) | Log Out

Unit 5 Student Login

Welcome, (First Name)!

Enter Member Area

(Message automatically replaces this text)

OK

My Profile Log Out

(Unit 5) Topic 4: Early Childhood Classroom Schedules and Routines

2 Clock Hours of Early Childhood Education

Lesson Planning

​Topic 4 Page 19

The classroom environment provides the foundation for learning activities, the daily schedule provides the timeframes for activities and routines, and the lesson plan provides the specific activities, materials, and learning goals.  ​

Lesson plans provide teachers with a tool to use in planning and organizing learning activities.  Early childhood professionals recognize the importance of being organized when working with young children.  Experienced teachers have learned that planning ahead and being prepared for the daily activities increase the likelihood of success in engaging children in activities and reducing challenging behaviors.  Many programs use a prescribed curriculum so ask your Center Director how lesson plans should be created.  Below are some suggestions if your program allows teachers to create their own curriculum.

​An overview of the lesson planning process includes:

• Observe the children to determine what they can do and what new skills you can introduce. 
• Select learning objective(s) for the week based skills and abilities on the children in the group. 
• Plan learning activities for learning centers, small groups, and large group activities based on the selected learning objectives. 
• For each learning activity plan the resources, materials, and supplies required to implement the activity. 
•  Record the learning activities on the lesson plan format used in your child care program. 
• Be prepared for Monday by taking a look at the lesson plan on Friday and make certain you have the morning activity materials, resources (storybooks), and supplies (art materials) prepared. 
• Prepare the new materials for the learning centers on Friday so activities are ready for Monday.  
• Evaluate the lesson plan activities during the week and start to plan for the coming week based on the children’s abilities, interests, and needs.

​​What can the children do? ​
​The first step in lesson planning is to observe the children in the classroom to determine their interest, needs, and abilities. Lesson planning varies based on the age of the children, the children’s needs, interests, and abilities, and the program philosophy. The teacher selects a standard to use for planning the weekly lesson plan.    ​

What does the teacher plan?
The teacher plans for all the regularly scheduled classroom activities. Typically the teacher will develop a plan for each week that includes different activities that make up the daily schedule including learning centers, small group activities, large group activities, transitions, and outdoor play.
 
What development areas does the teacher include in her plan?
The teacher will plan activities to support all developmental areas each week including cognitive, physical, language, and social - emotional. One activity or experience might incorporate many of the developmental domains. 

​Once the teacher has determined the activities for learning centers, small group, and large group activities, the next step is selecting learning materials, stories, props, and supplies required for each activity. As you implement the lesson plans during the week, evaluate what worked and what might have gone better. Work with your Director and other teachers to plan and improve your lesson plans.
 
Successful lesson planning is the result of knowing your children, planning interesting and challenging activities, and being prepared! 

---

Steps to Creating a Lesson Plan

• Review Developmental Milestones for your age group.
• Determine which skills you would like to practice in each of the developmental domains.
• Determine if the activity or experience will be an individual activity put on one of your learning centers or a teacher - directed activity that will need your assistance.
• Place activities into Lesson Plan.
• Prepare the materials for the activities.
• Date and post Lesson Plan. 

(Unit 5) Topic 4: Early Childhood Classroom Schedules & Routines * Navigation Menu