Video:How to Write Lesson Plan Step #5: Closure

Transcript:How to Write Lesson Plan Step #5: Closure

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 fifth step of writing a lesson plan: closure.

Information About Writing Lesson Plans With Closures

At this point in the lesson planning process, you've decided on your direct instruction methods, selected a guided practice activity where students will demonstrate their learning, and now must figure out a way to wrap up the lesson in a meaningful way.

Closure for Lesson Plans

For many years, simply asking if the students had any questions was an acceptable form of closure. However, this is no longer the case, as some students may not feel comfortable asking certain things, while others may not realize that they've misunderstood key concepts. As a teacher, it's your responsibility to fill in these gaps, and a worthwhile closure activity is the best way to do so. A brief discussion at the end of any lesson is usually a good way to gauge your students' success with the material.

What Should Happen During a Closure

Use this time to ask thoughtful questions that don't put any one person on the spot, but rather engage the entire class. For example, if you've just completed the direct instruction and guided practice components for a fifth grade Science lesson on the three types of rocks, a good closure activity would be to write each type on the board – igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic – and ask for the characteristics of each.

Notes About Closures and Lesson Planning

As individual students offer answers, write the accurate ones on the board and correct wrong or imprecise responses. If you don't have time for a discussion, giving your students a quick overview or summary for closure will usually illuminate anything they missed or didn't fully understand during your direct instruction. You may not be able to get responses from everyone, but asking a question or two to check for understanding is a good idea if you can squeeze it in. While the closure component of your lesson is meant to be brief, it's an important step in the process. Taking advantage of it allows you to fill in the gaps and improve student success.

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