Where Great Teaching Begins

More about the book

What comes to mind when you think about lesson planning? Most teachers focus on the material to present, their actions, student tasks, and assessments. However, many experience disappointment when this meticulous planning fails to yield the desired deep understanding and mastery. Author and teacher-educator Ann R. Reeves proposes a better approach to instructional design, emphasizing a shift from planning activities to prioritizing learning outcomes and objectives. Remarkable for its clarity and rich with examples, this guide offers a step-by-step process for the essential intellectual work that makes instruction effective and fosters meaningful student learning. Readers will learn to translate complex standards into clear, learning-focused objectives; use these objectives as the foundation for assessments; design engaging learning activities that blend targeted content with critical thinking skills; and integrate objectives, assessments, and activities into cohesive learning plans. This resource is invaluable for both novice instructional designers and experienced educators seeking a streamlined process, ultimately aiming for the excellent learning experiences all teachers strive for and all students deserve.