Enjoyment: The Forgotten Lesson Plan Component
I once taught in a school wher we had to use a standardized lesson plan template that was a helpful guide, but was pretty limited to just the basics. What was missing from that lesson plan template—and indeed from any lesson plan template that I have ever seen–is a section devoted to adding in enjoyment. We all know that when students enjoy their work, they perform better, stay on task, learn more, forge stronger connections, and tend to stay in school longer. If these are the benefits, shouldn’t we plan activities that will allow students to enjoy their work?
I would love to see a lesson plan template with a space dedicated to activities that students can enjoy. It would be easy to add in activities that are enjoyable if a space for it appeared somewhere between the opening of class activities and the close of class activities. If this was a part of a lesson plan template, the implicit message would be clear: it’s important to consider the fun factor when planning lessons.
If you are fortunate enough to make up your own lesson plan template, consider adding in a space for fun in each lesson. You don’t have to devote lots of time each class to fun-filled activities but do consider formalizing your plans for it. Even just a quick little reminder to yourself to add a bit of joy into the school day would make a difference. Luckily for teachers everywhere, it’s not hard to plan classroom activities that students enjoy. Here are some simple, low preparation activities that you can adapt to make syour students smile as they go about their work:
Writing with markers
Making a demonstration
Watching short videos
Listening to guest speakers
Creating their own quizzes, worksheets, games, or puzzles
Communicating only through notes instead of conversation
Making three-dimensional graphic organizers
Unscrambling jumbled facts or events
Taking mini-field trips within the school
Participating in small discussion groups
Sketching
Peer tutoring
Role playing
Skyping with another class
Teaming up with classmates to help others less fortunate
Playing educational games
Participating in a guided chat time
Reading aloud to younger students
Creating greeting cards
Coloring
Answering riddles
Solving mysteries
Exploring mazes
Determining what unlike things could have in common
Solving brainteasers
Exploring an unusual artifact
Examining a photograph for incongruities
Using manipulatives
Finding hidden facts or clues
Being the first to…
Earning a silly reward or bragging rights
Getting up and moving around the class
Racing the clock
Racing another team in the class
Making a movie or audio tape
Performing in a class skit
Participating in a scavenger hunt
Making a stick figure sketch
Working with simulation problems
Participating in a class discussion without using a list of forbidden words related to the assignment
Playing an online game
Researching an unusual topic with a partner
Drawing on the board
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