How To Write A Standard Weekly Lesson Note With An Excellent Sample

Teaching is a noble profession that requires careful planning and organization to ensure the effective delivery of lessons to students. One crucial aspect of teaching is the preparation of lesson notes, which serve as a guide for teachers to follow during their instructional sessions. Writing a standard weekly lesson note can be challenging, especially for novice teachers or those new to a particular subject or grade level. In this article, we will explore the key elements of a well-structured lesson note and provide an excellent sample to guide teachers in creating their lesson notes.

A lesson note is a written plan that outlines the objectives, instructional techniques, instructional procedures, and assessment strategies for a particular lesson. It serves as a roadmap for teachers, helping them to organize their thoughts, keep track of important details, and ensure that all relevant content is covered during the lesson. A well-written lesson note provides clarity and coherence to the lesson, making it easier for both the teacher and students to follow and understand.

Sample of A Standard Weekly Lesson Note

CLASS: JSS1

AGE: 12-13 years

SEX: Mixed

TIME: 40 minutes

DATE: 4th April 2023

TOPIC: Introduction to Photosynthesis

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

Define photosynthesis and its importance to plants.
Identify the main components involved in photosynthesis.
Explain the process of photosynthesis and the role of chlorophyll.
Relate photosynthesis to the production of oxygen and glucose.

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES:

Lecture
Demonstration
Discussion
Use of diagrams and charts

ENTRY BEHAVIOR:

Students should have basic knowledge of plant parts and their functions.
Students should be able to define photosynthesis in simple terms.

SET INDUCTION:

Show a short video clip of a plant undergoing photosynthesis and ask students to share their observations.
Engage students in a brief discussion on the importance of plants in our daily lives.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

STEP 1: Teacher’s Activities:

Review the definition of photosynthesis and its importance to plants.
Introduce the main components involved in photosynthesis: chloroplasts, chlorophyll, carbon dioxide, and sunlight.
Use diagrams and charts to visually explain the process of photosynthesis and the role of chlorophyll.
Provide examples of how photosynthesis is essential for the production of oxygen and glucose.

Learner’s Activities:

Listen attentively to the teacher’s explanation.
Take notes on the main components and process of photosynthesis.
Ask questions for clarification.
Participate in class discussions and share their understanding of the topic.

STEP 2: Teacher’s Activities:

Conduct a demonstration to show the process of photosynthesis using a potted plant, a lamp, and a carbon dioxide gas source.
Use questions to prompt students to make connections between the demonstration and the concepts learned.

Learner’s Activities:

Observe the demonstration carefully and take notes.
Participate in class discussions to relate the demonstration to the concepts learned.
Ask questions for clarification.

STEP 3: Teacher’s Activities:

Facilitate a class discussion on the factors that affect photosynthesis, such as light intensity, temperature, and carbon dioxide concentration.
Use real-life examples and scenarios to help students understand the practical implications of photosynthesis.

Learner’s Activities:

Engage in the class discussion by sharing their observations and insights.
Participate in group discussions or pair activities to explore the factors that affect photosynthesis.
Take notes on the main points discussed.

EVALUATION:

Ask students to write a short paragraph summarizing the main concepts learned about photosynthesis.
Conduct a class quiz to assess students’ understanding of the topic.
Use formative assessment strategies such as questioning and observation during the lesson to gauge students’ participation and comprehension.

SUMMARY:

Recap the main concepts covered in the lesson.
Emphasize the importance of photosynthesis in the production of oxygen and glucose, and its role in sustaining life on Earth.
Encourage students to review their notes and seek clarification if needed.

Note: The instructional procedures and teacher’s activities can be modified and adapted based on the specific needs and level of understanding of the students. It is important to use appropriate language and examples that are relevant and relatable to the student’s everyday experiences to make the lesson more engaging and effective. Also, ensure to provide opportunities for students to actively participate and ask questions, and provide feedback and reinforcement to reinforce their learning.

Features of A Standard Weekly Lesson Note

A standard weekly lesson note is a comprehensive document that outlines the details of a planned lesson for a specific week. It serves as a guide for teachers to ensure effective lesson delivery. Here are some key features of a standard weekly lesson note:

Heading: The heading of the lesson note should contain the class, age, sex, time, and date. This information helps to identify the specific class and session for which the lesson is being prepared.
Topic: The topic of the lesson should be clearly stated at the beginning of the lesson note. It should be specific and aligned with the curriculum or syllabus for the particular subject and grade level.
Specific Objectives: The objectives of the lesson should be clearly stated and aligned with the curriculum or syllabus. They should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). The objectives should clearly state what the students are expected to learn or achieve by the end of the lesson.
Instructional Techniques: The instructional techniques used during the lesson should be stated. These could include lectures, discussions, group work, demonstrations, or audio-visual aids. The instructional techniques should be appropriate for the topic, grade level, and student’s learning styles.
Entry Behavior: Entry behaviour refers to the prior knowledge or skills that the students should possess before the lesson. This helps the teacher to determine the appropriate starting point for the lesson and to activate the students’ prior knowledge.
Set Induction: The set induction is the introduction or hook that captures the students’ attention and arouses their interest in the topic. It could be a question, a story, a video clip, or any other creative technique that stimulates the students’ curiosity and motivates them to learn.
Instructional Procedures: The instructional procedures outline the step-by-step process the teacher will follow during the lesson. It includes the teacher’s activities and the learners’ activities at each stage of the lesson. The instructional procedures should be logically sequenced and aligned with the specific objectives of the lesson.
Teacher’s Activities: The teacher’s activities describe what the teacher will do during the lesson to facilitate the students’ learning. This could include explaining concepts, asking questions, providing examples, giving feedback, and monitoring the students’ progress. The teacher’s activities should be clear and concise, and they should reflect best practices in teaching.
Learner’s Activities: The learner’s activities describe what the students will do during the lesson to actively engage with the content and achieve the objectives. This could include listening, observing, participating in discussions, working in groups, completing worksheets, or conducting experiments. The learner’s activities should be designed to promote active learning and encourage the students to think critically and creatively.
Evaluation: The evaluation section outlines the assessment strategies that will be used to measure the student’s learning outcomes. This could include formative assessments such as questioning, observation, or class discussions, as well as summative assessments such as quizzes, tests, or examinations. The evaluation strategies should be aligned with the specific objectives of the lesson and provide a fair and accurate measure of the student’s learning progress.
Summary: The summary section provides a brief recap of the key points covered in the lesson. It helps to reinforce the main concepts and provides closure to the lesson. The summary should be concise and clear, and it should emphasize the main takeaways for the students.

The Importance of Weekly Lesson Notes/Plans

Lesson notes or plans are essential tools that help teachers prepare and deliver effective lessons. They serve as a roadmap for teachers, ensuring that lessons are well-organized, engaging, and aligned with the curriculum. Here are some key reasons why weekly lesson notes/plans are important:

Ensures Adequate Lesson Preparation: Weekly lesson notes/plans require teachers to carefully select topics from the scheme of work and write clear lessons with specific and measurable objectives. This process helps teachers to thoroughly prepare for each lesson, ensuring that they have a clear understanding of the content, instructional techniques, and evaluation strategies to be used.
Promotes Clear Instructional Sequencing: Lesson notes/plans demand that teachers break down the lesson content into step-by-step logical sequences. This includes outlining the learners’ and teachers’ activities during the lesson. This ensures that the lesson flows smoothly, with a clear progression of concepts and activities that build on students’ prior knowledge and lead to achieving the lesson objectives.
Encourages Evidence of Previous Knowledge: Lesson notes/plans require teachers to include an entry behaviour section, which shows evidence of the previous knowledge possessed by learners that is relevant to the new lesson. This helps teachers to build on students’ prior knowledge and experiences, making the lesson more meaningful and engaging for students.
Facilitates Effective Content Development: Lesson notes/plans provide a framework for teachers to develop the content of the lesson in a structured and organized manner. This helps teachers to ensure that all relevant topics and concepts are covered and that the content is presented in a way that is engaging and easily understood by students.
Supports Selection of Instructional Techniques: Lesson notes/plans require teachers to consider and select appropriate instructional techniques that are aligned with the topic and the learning style of the students. This ensures that the lesson is delivered in a way that is engaging and effective, and that meets the needs of all learners in the classroom.
Guides Evaluation Strategies: Lesson notes/plans prompt teachers to include a well-thought-out evaluation strategy that aligns with the lesson objectives. This helps teachers to assess students’ understanding of the topic and their progress towards achieving the objectives. Evaluation strategies may include formative assessment strategies such as questioning, observation, and class discussions during the lesson, as well as summative assessment strategies such as quizzes, tests, or written assignments at the end of the lesson or week.

Conclusion

Weekly lesson notes/plans are invaluable tools that help teachers to prepare and deliver effective lessons. They ensure that lessons are well-organized, engaging, and aligned with the curriculum, and they provide a framework for teachers to develop content, select instructional techniques, and evaluate students’ learning. By using lesson notes/plans, teachers can promote effective teaching and enhance student learning outcomes. Happy lesson planning!