Capital High School
Plan for Instruction

Plan ahead for smooth-running instructional activies. Be sure the plans are appropriate for the intended learners, provide for student involvement, maintain whole-class focus and do not rely on seatwork.

Planning is a crucial factor in effective teaching. Doug Russell and Madeline Hunter have identified the following seven lesson elements that have a direct effect on student learning.

1. Anticipatory Set

An anticipatory activity helps students establish attention and mental readiness for the instruction to follow. It could also provide brief practicein previously achieved related learning.

2. Objective

The teacher should communicate to students not only what they should be able to do by the end of the lesson, but also the importance, usefulness and relevance of that accomplishment.

3. Instrucional Input

In this step, the teacher identifies and communicates necessary information. Methods could include lecture, demonstration, and the use of pictures, diagrams, or audio-visuals.

4. Modeling

Students are shown an example of a finished product or process.

5. Checking for Understanding

The teacher observes student performance to see that they have mastered skills meeded to achieve the objective.

6. Guided Practice

Students perform tasks using newly mastered skills under close teacher supervision.

7. Independent Practice

Once students can perform accurately and with confidence, they are ready to practice the new skill or process independently.