English Lesson Plans
By designing motivating English lessons, teachers can make learning interesting and memorable for students.
By Amy Wilding
As an English teacher, it is sometimes a challenge to create interesting and engaging lessons. I have found that the key to this task is not just knowing the topic, but knowing the students. A solid relationship with the students can help teachers to build lessons that students can not only relate to, but enjoy as well. In order to encourage my students to participate in English lessons, I try to give them some ownership in their learning. To achieve this, I create projects that give them the final say in the format of the project. For example, at the end of any book we read, I design a project that allows and requires students to formulate the final product based upon individual strengths. Rather than having students simply write an English-based essay, I give them the option of creating a Power Point presentation, poster or even a song. I give students specific guidelines that must be included in the product, but again, they have the final say. If you choose to assign these types of projects, I suggest that you take the time to approve every student choice before the students invest time in it.
In addition to giving students the ability to provide input into what their final project will be, it's also a good idea to get students actively involved. When I design any lesson, whether it is grammar based, literature based or writing based, I incorporate activities that allow students to move about the room and work with other students. One great activity that I do is a “fishbowl” activity. I divide students into two groups. One group sits in the center of a circle and discusses the topic of the day. Typically, I use this activity to discuss the book or poem we are studying. The remaining students form a circle around the inner students. While the inner ring of students are discussing the text, the outer ring observes how well the students are working together, asking questions, and respecting other opinions. This English lesson accomplishes two things. Students in the inner ring must actively engage in the text, and those in the outer ring learn how to observe student behavior and interaction. I give each group the chance to participate in observation and discussion. Once the activity is over, we discuss our findings. My main objectives are not just for students to talk about the elements of the text, but to help them appreciate alternate points of view and practice listening skills.
These are just two suggestions to make English lessons successful. There are a myriad of other ways to enhance the learning of all of your students. As long as you adhere to the state standards, while taking into account the interests of your students, any English lesson should be successful. Here are some other English lessons that you might want to try.
English Lesson Plans:
Communicative Group Activity: What's your opinion?
This lesson encourages students to discuss topics in small groups. It is a great way to ease English students into communicating their ideas in a non-threatening environment.
This lesson is a perfect reflection of what is going on with students today. Not only does it relate to what they are interested in, but it involves English class as well. Students are asked to translate text messaging language into everyday English. The lesson can be adapted to pretty much any topic from news to literature. It will definitely engage your students!!
Concept Chairs: A fomat for classroom discussion
This lesson illustrates how debate can be used in an English lesson. In this lesson, the students choose their side--for or against--based on the designated topic. During the debate, students communicate ideas and opinions, but also have the flexibility to change their side at will. The teacher serves as mediator. This lesson is linked to the book "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, but it could easily be adapted for any English topic.
This is a classic English lesson with a technological twist. Students learn and practice how to analyze sonnets and then compose their own. Once they have completed the finished product, it is then posted on the Internet. I really like this lesson because students have the opportunity to write about something that is meaningful to them while following the format of a traditional sonnet. I also like this lesson because they can share their work not just with the members of their English class, but with people interested in sonnets. Be sure you use an approved website and give the students strict instructions on what to post.
