Working with Visuals

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The visual prepared would give the students a view of how a flowchart looks and its functions.  They will be able to identify the shapes used and should be able to replicate it.  Students should be able to grasp the importance of the flowchart and apply it to other subject areas. The students would be asked to create a flowchart for the process of buying a pizza using the necessary auto shapes in Microsoft Word.

The visual we created was a chart showing a sample of a flowchart.  The chart was created in Microsoft Word, and then it was taken to be enlarged. Afterwards a picture was taken and then each group member posted it to their blog. 

The challenges faced were in how to incorporate word wrap on the chart since the students needed to identify the shapes as part of the lesson.  We then decided to make two pieces: the first one without any notes/description  then the second piece would be shown to identify the shapes and give a brief description of their function/purpose  .

Lesson Planning

Should teachers adequately prepare for each lesson?

Teachers SHOULD adequately prepare for each lesson although at times it may seem to be a very labourious task.  A lesson plan is the most IMPORTANT tool for a teacher, a good lesson plan can actually help to determine the success of students.

While thinking about the question I came up with some points as to why it it is important for a teacher to plan their lessons:

• A lesson plan helps the teacher to be more organized. 
• Helps the teacher to create lessons that accommodate the different types of learners and their Multiple Intelligences. 
• Provides an outline as to the procedure of a lesson.
• Gives the teacher the confidence he/she needs to deliver a lesson.
• Shows a clear outline of objectives/goals.
• Enables the teacher to assess students' progress
• A lesson plan aides a teacher's growth where the teacher documents reflection/evaluation and can then change the lesson for future classes.
• Helps to keep students interested and motivated to learn.
• Students will have more confidence in teacher's ability.

Some persons may argue that they have been teaching for years and they know how to deliver the material or that the material is ingrained in their minds that they don't even need to refer to a text book; so why do they need or have to write a lesson plan?  It's pretty simple, lessons over time may or can become monotonous so the educator that has documented lessons can always refer to previous lessons and adjust lessons to suit or meet the needs of his/her students.

A good lesson plan is the blueprint  for a an effective or successful teacher.