Simple, practical tools teachers can use straight away. Copy them, adapt them for your subject and share them with colleagues.
Lesson plan outline
1. Learning outcome
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to... (one or two, measurable).
2. Warm-up (5 min)
A question, picture or problem that connects to prior learning.
3. Explore / explain (15 min)
Activity or explanation that introduces the new idea.
4. Practice (15 min)
Students apply the idea - in pairs, groups or individually - with support and stretch.
5. Check (5 min)
An exit question to see who has understood.
6. Reflection
What worked? What will I change next time?
Classroom routine checklist
- Clear routine for entering the class and starting work
- Agreed signal for attention
- Simple rules displayed and taught, not only posted
- Plan for distributing and collecting materials
- Routine for group work: roles, noise level and time
- Consistent, calm response to misbehaviour
- Positive recognition for effort and improvement
Four-level rubric structure
- Choose three or four criteria that matter (e.g. understanding, reasoning, communication, presentation).
- Describe four levels for each: Beginning, Developing, Proficient, Advanced.
- Write each level as what the student does, not as marks alone.
- Share the rubric with students before the task.
- Use it for feedback: circle the level and add one next step.
Reflection prompts for teachers
- Which students learned most today, and why?
- Where did students get stuck?
- What question produced the best thinking?
- What will I do differently in the next lesson?