Sequencing Class Time—Emphasizing Student Activities
Both PWR 1 and PWR 2 meet for 110 minutes twice a week or 75
minutes three times a week. Even with these generous class times,
the minutes will fly by, so careful sequencing of class activities
is very important.
Some instructors type up lesson plans at the beginning of each
week, making a few modifications over the course of the week;
others jot down less formal ideas after class sessions so that
class discussions almost entirely drive subsequent sessions.
No instructor should attempt to “wing it.” Here are
some tips for planning each day’s class:
- Jot down the major things you want to accomplish during each
class, focusing on what you want students to do;
- Decide what writing or speaking/presenting activities students
will do during the class period (some brainstorming on paper,
perhaps; some small-group work in response to a key question;
or an exercise designed to illustrate a concept you are teaching);
- Make a list of announcements and reminders you need to give
to students and decide whether you will do this at the beginning
or the end of class;
- Plan an opening and closing to your class: you might open
class with announcements or a writing activity and end class
by asking a student to summarize the day’s work;
- Divide your class time into segments, estimating how many
minutes to devote to announcements, activities, opening and
closing;
- Take your notes to class and keep them near you.
