Executive Summary
The following articles provide quick and easy methods for lesson planning. They are written for new and experienced teachers looking for methods for increasing instructional time as well as increasing student performances. The first article is an overview of goal setting and the purpose of using the Tablet PC in the classroom. The other articles in the series take each step and expand upon them, providing details so that all teachers will be able to write usable and flexible lesson plans.

Purpose: The focus of these articles is to help teachers use the Tablet PC in their classroom, during meetings, during staff development, and at home for record keeping. These articles will show that the Tablet PC form factor is an excellent means of keeping track of lessons, schedules, meetings (with students, parents, teachers, and administrators).

Background
There are two golden rules for teaching:
“If you fail to plan then you plan to fail.”
“Inspect what you expect.”

We have all heard it said that failing to plan is the best way to fail, however, first year teachers become overwhelmed with learning the intricacies of school policies that planning takes a back seat to surviving the school year. Experienced teachers have learned to prioritize the ensemble of requirements for teaching but can fall into the trap of relying on methods which do not work for their students.

A Few Key Strategies
Before we begin using the Tablet PC we need to make sure that we have a common understanding regarding time management. It is easy for all of us to become distracted. Using the following strategies should help us maintain focus.

Step One: Put everything in writing
English teachers harp on students by saying that clear writing is a sign of clear thinking. However, how many of us write down exactly what we expect of our students? And if we can't write it down then we are not going to be clear in our explanations we provide to our students.

In addition, I can't tell you the number of times I've walked away from a professional development seminar with the intention of immediately setting the ideas into practice. Only, I forget so much during the drive home that it is out of my mind by the time I reach my computer at home. Instead of increasing productivity, I sit for hours frustrated that my notes don't make any sense. The seminar was just another wasted hour.

The Tablet PC allows us to hand write notes and later search on these notes. During meetings the user may doodle and think about their lessons or try to incorporate what the speaker is suggesting immediately into a lesson.

Think of sitting and watching a powerpoint presentation and being able to draw out the main ideas. Later you will be able to better visualize what you saw during the presentation.

Step Two: Set small goals
There is nothing worse than administrators walking into a meeting and telling you that all students, from all economic backgrounds, must now have their scores raised. It can be defeating to think about the big picture. Instead, set small goals for your classroom. You cannot save the world but you can make it a better place to live.

Step Three: Concentrate on results
There is one method of assessment I constantly use in my classroom, it is very informal but extremely informative. I simply listen to the language the students are using and this feedback tells me if they understand what is expected. For example, if I just explained how to do a hay infusion but my students remain confused, their language will help me figure out a better way to explain it. Once I know the best explanation, then I write it down using the Tablet PC. I keep the lesson plan open on the Tablet and walk around the classroom. My document is immediately updated once enough student feedback has been provided.

Step Four: Use transitions wisely
If you are not comfortable with computers then start using the Tablet for one purpose. With time, the use of the equipment grows.

Step Five: Be consistent
The best practice for a new teacher is to develop a lesson plan template. Each lesson should contain the same sequences for the students. After a few short times of being consistent then the students will know what to expect next. Try not to change your lesson plan structure once the students are comfortable with it.

Now, you can go the next step with your documents. For example, if you have been typing out your documents with Microsoft Word then you simply keep these documents on your Tablet PC. I use a directory structure to keep my lessons divided into core topics (ecology, genetics, biochemistry, behavior). Simply separate out these documents into your own categories.

Step Six: Be flexible
Good teachers know when a lesson plan stinks and so do students. Use your best reflective strategies to tweak a lesson. Open up your document while the lesson is going on and when students struggle with a concept then jot down notes. Be flexible with your lessons and expect to modify them. And don't be afraid to just toss out what you first believed to be a perfect lesson.

Step Seven: Be S.M.A.R.T.

S: Specific. State exactly what you want, in detail.
M: Measurable. You need to know when you've reached your goal by having measures. For example, if your goal was to have students do a hay infusion, then help have a mental picture of what this will look like – will all the containers be lined up along the wall?
A: Achievable. Don't set yourself a goal that's so high that you want to give up before you've even started. Yes, it would be great if all of your students knew what to do in your classroom and they were eager and ready to learn. However, start with a key player in your classroom and watch their growth.
R: Realistic. You may want a challenge but don't set goals out of reach or you may give up before starting the project.
T: Time scaled. This is very important. Set yearly, grade card time, monthly, weekly, and daily goals. Learn to recognize when you will achieve your goal. It could be in six months or even ten years, depending on how big your goal is. Write it down.

Step Eight: Learn to say 'no' politely
I can't tell you the number of times I've heard an experienced teacher chide themselves because they were expected to be in two places at one time. New teachers tend to take on too much responsibility too quickly too. Instead, learn to say no. It's best to take your time and spend them with your lesson plans rather than sit on a committee. The committee can wait but your students can't.

Step Nine: A 'To Do' List
Keep a short 'To Do' List for the class period you are teaching. This list summarizes your expectations and will keep you focused as the period progresses. If you get lost or forget a step then you have a "cheat sheet" to use during the period.

Summary
Solid lesson plans begin with understanding the amount of instructional time. Many first year teachers mistakenly attempt to cram too much information into a short class period while others just let students waste valuable time when the lesson falls short of the allowed time. Use your Tablet PC to keep notes of your expectations. It is always best to keep the Tablet on during the day.

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Layne P. Heiny / Administrator for Tux Reports Network

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