Video:How to Write Lesson Plan Step #3: Direct Instruction

Transcript:How to Write Lesson Plan Step #3: Direct Instruction

Hi, I'm Kaytie Sproul, here for About.com. I'm a credentialed teacher in the state of California, and today we're going to talk about the third step of writing a lesson plan: direct instruction.

Direct Instruction is the Core of the Lesson Plan

At this point in the process, you know what your goals and objectives are, you've decided on an anticipatory set that will pique your students' interest, and now it's time to dive into the material. Direct instruction is really the guts of your entire lesson; it's all about figuring out how to best disseminate the key information to your students so they can meet the objectives and goals you've outlined.

There are many options to choose from when deciding on a direct instruction method, and doing so can depend on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: your students' learning modalities; the materials and resources you have at your disposal; and the subject area itself.

Alternative Instruction Methods in Lesson Plans

It's incredibly easy to fall back on lecture as a direct instruction method, but there's almost always a more engaging alternative.

For example, if you're teaching a fifth grade Science lesson on the solar system, you may have students take turns reading aloud from their textbooks, and then show them actual 3-D models of each planet that they can pass around and examine. This is great for tactile learners, and can also help to clarify any concepts from the text that may have been somewhat confusing. If you don't have 3-D models, diagrams and short educational videos can also serve as direct instruction tools.

Turning to another subject area, a sixth grade Social Science unit on the early civilizations of Ancient Greece will surely include a lesson or two on Greek mythology. Selecting individual students to take on the parts of the gods and goddesses that they're reading about is both a great way to engage your students with the material, and a unique direct instruction tactic. If you can work in some movement to this role playing, getting kids up from their desks, you'll also be doing your kinesthetic learners a huge favor, as this is how they learn best.

Additional Tips for Direct Instruction

Just a tip: As you walk your students through this part of the lesson, modeling and imparting the key information they need to learn, be sure to check for understanding along the way. Ask your students questions and closely observe them during the direct instruction component, making adjustments and clarifying concepts as needed. Direct instruction is one of the most crucial elements in successful lesson planning, so give it some thought and select methods that will best meet your students' needs.

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