Class Prep: Crafting Lesson Plans for My Classes

Before I began teaching my classes—the MoonBooks English SmartStart Program and the MoonBooks Amazon Writing to Publishing Class Program—I had to face one of the most challenging aspects of teaching: preparation. As someone new to creating lesson plans, I wasn’t entirely sure if the topics I wanted to cover would be interesting or even useful to my students. But despite the uncertainty, I trusted myself and slowly began piecing together my plans.

Creating lesson plans was a process that required a lot of trial and error. For both of my classes, I went through various versions of my plans, tweaking and refining them until I felt confident enough to present them to my students. I knew that the content had to be engaging, but I also wanted to ensure that it was educational and aligned with the goals I had set for the class.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned early on was the importance of being adaptable. After each class, I paid close attention to what my students responded to, what they enjoyed, and what didn’t quite hit the mark. This feedback was crucial in helping me adjust my lesson plans to better suit their needs and interests. Over time, I developed a better feel for the types of activities and topics that resonated with my students, allowing me to fine-tune my lessons for maximum impact.

In addition to lesson planning, I also took the time to create syllabi for the parents and students of my classes. This step was essential in ensuring that everyone knew exactly what to expect from the course. The syllabi outlined the topics we would cover, the goals of the class, and any important dates or assignments. This not only helped keep me organized but also provided a clear roadmap for my students and their parents.

I won’t lie—creating lesson plans was stressful and difficult at times. There were moments when I questioned whether I was on the right track or if I was doing enough to engage my students. But as I look back, I can see that the effort was well worth it. The organization and structure that my lesson plans provided made my classes run much more smoothly, and they allowed me to focus more on teaching and connecting with my students.

Overall, the process of preparing for my classes taught me a lot about the importance of planning, adaptability, and perseverance. While it wasn’t always easy, the payoff has been immense. I’m proud of the classes I’ve built and the impact they’ve had on my students, and I’m excited to continue refining my approach as I gain more experience in the world of teaching.