Sources of Ideas
Luckily, teachers have many resources to help them create their lessons. In fact, the problem most teachers face is deciding which resources to use. Effective teachers spend some time looking through the available resources and combining many sources to create a personalized lesson. The sources for these ideas include books, the Internet, other teachers, students, and the world around you.
Books and Textbooks
The course textbook is the first source of ideas for lesson plans. However, you're not meant to rely solely on the teacher's edition of your textbook to create your lessons. While these texts often have some excellent resources and ideas, allowing them to form the majority of your lessons will cause you to miss out on some great educational experiences for your students.
Be smart when you use textbooks. Do not simply include a section or a lesson because it is listed in the textbook. Use these as just one tool to create excellent, challenging, and fun lessons.
Many textbook publishing companies also sell additional books and printed materials that will help you create your lesson plans. Here you can find simulations, debates, role-playing scenarios, writing lessons, and other materials that can truly enhance your teaching. Integrating these outside sources into your curriculum can build interest into a possibly boring lesson.
Look at all sources for lessons skeptically. Many textbooks have errors; even if a textbook does not have obvious mistakes, it can still be inaccurate based on the method in which it presents the information. Make sure to read through the entire textbook assignment before you give it to your students.
Online Resources
The Internet is also an excellent source of free material for lesson plans.
However, it is important to be discerning about the quality of the lessons you find online. Many times, teachers will post lessons they have found effective, but might not work for you and your classroom situation. Therefore, take some time to evaluate the source of your materials, and use common sense to determine if each lesson will really interest your students.
Other Teachers
Rely on other teachers to give you a sense of what does and doesn't work. If other teachers on your staff are teaching the same topic or have taught it in the past, they might have effective lessons that you can use or adapt. Other teachers can also give you practical advice that you may not find elsewhere. Most teachers are very generous about sharing their ideas and materials.
Another way that other teachers can be a real help to new teachers is by giving you another perspective or opinion about lessons you want to try. For example, you could go to a veteran teacher to discuss a new simulation that you are thinking about using. Because of her experience, she can tell you the benefits of the simulation and warn you of potential problems you need to watch out for. Plus, she can give you tips to make teaching the lesson easier.
Students as a Resource
Sometimes students will ask you questions or bring up issues that could form the basis of great lessons. Usually, when students are interested enough in a topic to ask questions about it, you will find that this can provide you with unique opportunities to truly engage them. Further, if they see that you respond to their questions by creating lessons for them, they will be more likely to feel connected and speak up in the future. You can use their ideas to supplement your curriculum. However, you need to use your best judgment here — some topics will be inappropriate or could lead to problems for you in the long run.
Teachers must juggle and combine many sources to create truly unique and interest-building lessons. You can find sources for ideas all around you, so make sure to keep a notebook with you and jot down great ideas as they arise.
The World Around You
Students respond best to ideas that they know well. Therefore, using real-world examples will help students connect to your curriculum. Sources for educational ideas are all around you. Remain aware of the latest trends and ideas, and try to find ways to incorporate them. However, stay away from trying to relate to students “on their level.” Most of the time, teachers who try to use the current slang become objects of ridicule.
