Lesson Plans

Your portfolio should contain a variety of lesson plans that you have prepared, either for a class or while student teaching.  Before you begin student teaching, include lesson plans that you have completed for class(es); as you begin to student teach, pull some of these plans out and put student teaching lesson plans in.  Needless to say, these lesson plans should demonstrate your highest potential in planning.   Include a variety of plans, such as

• project orientated plans

• a plan involving research in the library

• plans that demonstrate your competence in including technology in instruction

• a plan in which you use outside resources, such as guest speakers

• plans which demonstrate your understanding of the need to make learning as authentic as possible.

• plans which very clearly address exceptionalities

• lesson plan which engages auditory, visual and kinesthetic learners

The above list is not meant to suggest that you emphasize technology, for example, in one lesson and then forget about it.  The intent is to integrate as many of the components into a class as possible - however, when you have a plan which emphasizes one particular area, that is the plan that should be included in your portfolio.

In addition, your lesson plans should include a variety of assessments, such as

• projects

• written reports

• oral reports

• demonstrations

Again, the emphasis here should be on providing assessments that are as authentic as possible.

Finally, your lesson plans should demonstrate a variety of teaching methods, including, for example:

• cooperative learning

• role playing

• use of technology

• demonstrations

• a variety of assessments (both pre and post)