BrELT Chat 11/06/15: Lesson Planning – interesting reads

Today we’re going to discuss lesson planning, esp. where we (should) start from. Here’s a list of related reading you may be interested in.

How should I go about my lesson planning?

• The TESOL International Association goes over the basics: http://www.tesol.org/docs/books/bk_morethannative_325
• Adam Simpson reminds us there is more than one way to skin a cat: http://www.teachthemenglish.com/2015/01/post-celta-professional-development-approaches-to-lesson-planning/ 
• Katherine Bilsborough keeps it simple: http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/blogs/katherine-bilsborough/katherine-bilsborough-lesson-plans-%E2%80%93-less-more
• Steve Brown proposes “preflection” as a lesson planning method https://stevebrown70.wordpress.com/2013/06/09/preflection-a-not-new-approach-to-planning/

Should I start by my aims? 

• Scott Thornbury suggests that we should go for “fits” rather than aims: https://scottthornbury.wordpress.com/2011/04/24/a-is-for-aims/
• Steve Brown piles on: NO for pre-selected language aims https://stevebrown70.wordpress.com/2015/03/14/why-pre-selected-language-aims-are-a-waste-of-time-and-what-we-should-be-doing-instead/

Is a lesson plan even important?

• Yitzha Sarwono says YES http://itdi.pro/blog/2012/05/28/how-important-is-lesson-planning-yitzha-sarwono/
• Rachael Roberts agrees http://elt-resourceful.com/2012/08/29/whats-the-point-of-planning/
  
• Marek Kiczkowiak says NO: https://teflreflections.wordpress.com/2015/06/07/lesson-plans-a-waste-of-time/ 
• Scott Thornbury surprises us by saying YES first… and then NO: http://itdi.pro/blog/2012/05/28/how-important-is-lesson-planning-scott-thornbury/
• Barbara Sakamoto points to other reasons to have a plan http://itdi.pro/blog/2012/05/28/how-important-is-lesson-planning-barbara-sakamoto/
• Steven Herder invites us to SLOW down on the planning frenzy  http://itdi.pro/blog/2012/05/28/how-important-is-lesson-planning-steven-herder/
• Steve Brown makes a case for antiplanning https://stevebrown70.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/a-case-for-anti-planning/
• The Secret DOS suggests caution with the antiplanning movement https://thesecretdos.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory/

What is Understanding by Design (UbD)?

• Here are the basics of this method of curriculum and lesson design http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/siteASCD/publications/UbD_WhitePaper0312.pdf