CONTENT OF A GOOD LESSON NOTE

A good lesson note should contain the following:

(i) Date
(ii) Class
(iii) Subject
(iv) Topic
(v) Aspect
(vi) Periods
(vii) Duration
(viii) Reference books
(ix) Teaching materials
(x) Previous knowledge
(xi) Objective
(xii) Content
(xiii) Presentation/ Methods
(xiv) Evaluation/ Assignment
(xv) Summary

A good plan must specify terms the objectives to be achieved as a

result of the plan in behavioral terms, that is in terms of observable
behavior.

INTERPRETATION OF THE SYLLABUS/ CURRICULUM

The major responsibility of the classroom teacher begins with the
interpretation of the school syllabus/ curriculum, and the scheme of
work. It is relevant to note that while lesson notes are derivable from
scheme of work, the latter are usually drawn out of syllabus which
itself is derived from the curriculum.

THE CURRICULUM
Curriculum is all the planned experiences which the school wants its
pupils to have. A curriculum usually has a format showing in separate
columns. The theme/ unit/ topic. The objectives, the content the
suggested teaching methods and activities, the suggested teaching
materials and the evaluation.

THE SYLLABUS
The syllabus like the curriculum, may be described as a course of
work planned to span a period of time. It usually indicates the periods
of work planned for a school for a term or one academic year. It is not
as broad-based as the curriculum. A syllabus normally has a list of
topics to be covered within a given period. Like the curriculum.
A syllabus takes into consideration such factors as:

1. Relevance of the syllabus to the needs of individual pupils and the

society
2. Its suitability for the age of the pupils.
3. Consideration for and the knowledge work intended or skills already
acquired by the pupils/ students for the future years.
4. Relationship/ linkage with other school subjects, and
5. Consideration for ability to complete the amount allotted time. of work
in the
SCHEME OF WORK
Scheme of work means plan of work, thus a scheme of work may be
defined as the breaking down of the topics from either the curriculum
or the syllabus to workable unit. In doing this, age, intellectual ability,
educational and maturity of students should background be taken
into consideration. The time allotted to the particular subject is also to
be borne in mind. The relationship between lesson preparation and
the topics in the syllabus is very crucial, significant, relevant and
intimate. This is because the teacher has taken each topic in the
syllabus and break it into series of lessons which will adequately over
the topic.

Such a series of lesson which will adequately over the topic, and
such a series of lessons is what is known as a scheme of work.
A good scheme of work must contain the following;

i. Have an aim.
ii. to Indicate cover the in the amount allotted and time quantity. of
material which the pupils have
iii. Be flexible, that is, must be elastic; and
iv. Indicate the teaching methods to be used.

HOW TO WRITE LESSON NOTES – STEP BY

STEP APPROACH
Below are the steps you need in preparing a lesson note for any
subject offered in Nursery, Primary and Secondary school level in
Nigeria.

1. Mastery of the Subject

There is to an effective teacher to remind himself or herself of the
topic he wants to teach, study and master it above the level of
students, he wants to teach.

2. To Stimulate Teaching
Having mastered the subject matter, the teacher needs to think of is
not ways of stimulating the students via his teaching, if the teaching
interesting, learning might not occur. This therefore needs to be
planned for.

3. To Prepare The Teaching Method

We plan so that we can bring about needed change or method to suit
a particular class or group of students.

4. To decide on Instructional Materials

Learning in the Secondary School is better with a form of aid or the
other. If we plan our English lessons, we can decide on instructional
materials that will make lesson clearer.

5. Justification of Investment in English

When we plan, we justify the huge investment in educational
ensuring that lessons taught assist to develop in the students the
necessary qualities of independence.

Initiative, sensitivity and thus equip them with the knowledge required
to make active and positive contributions in the socio-economic and
political life of the state and the country.

GENERAL FEATURES OF LESSON NOTES

The features of lesson notes may vary from one institution to another.
Some generally accepted lesson notes features, however, include
the following.
I. Date and time of the lesson
II. Statement of learning objectives;
III. Introduction of the lessons
IV. Teacher Activities;
V. Pupils ‘ Activities;
VI. Teaching Methods/ Techniques,

VII. Teaching Materials/ Aids

VIII. Evaluation/ Lesson conclusion; and
IX. Summary of lesson
I) DATE AND TIME OF THE LESSON

The teacher must ensure when writing his lesson notes that he/ she
prints at the top the date and time of the lesson the subject and the
class.

II) STATEMENT OF LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The teacher must appreciate the difference between aims and the
objectives of a particular lesson. While Aims are general in nature.
Objectives are more specific and measurable. Lesson objectives
must be stated in behavioural terms. In stating the lesson objective,
the teacher would be expected to write “At the end of the (or this)
lesson, the learners should be able to correctly understand the topic
being taught.

iii) CHARACTERISTICS OF LESSON OBJECTIVES

Lesson objectives should be specific and quite modest in scope;
(a) They should be measurable and quantifiable;
(b) They should be capable of being achieved;
(c) The lesson objectives should refer mainly to change or changes
the teacher hopes to bring about in the pupils/ students, their
understanding, knowledge, skill and awareness.
(d) the Individual subject. lesson should ideally contribute towards the
wider aims

THE “IMPERATIVES” IN THE TEACHER’S LESSON

NOTES: POINTS TO NOTE
In the light of the above hints, it is pertinent should to stress here that
in writing your lesson note. proper attention must be given to the
following significant points.

1) FACTS
It is expected that the teacher would avoid guess work by checking
all his facts. That is, the teacher has to be factual at all times.

2) AMOUNT OF INFORMATION
The teacher has to give thought to the amount of information he or
she intends to pass on to the pupils/students in one lesson. He or
she must not allow a situation of “drying u” or Inability to finish” during
the time allotted to the lesson. In other words, while he or she must
not run out of information during the lesson, he or she must not waste
another teacher’s time by over-staying his or her time.

3) TIME
The teacher’s time during lesson will be shared as follows:
(a) Introduction:- Which should be brief and varied up with as and
should link previous lesson as much possible.

(b) Teacher Explains:- The main point of lesson methods

.
(c) Teacher and Class:- In relation to chalkboard or written.

(d) Class Work:- Exercise which is oral, written or practical.

(e) Summary/ Revision:- Teacher or teacher and class.

The above allocation of time is , however, not rigid and can be varied
according to the subject and the experience of the teacher. It is
strongly recommended that at least, half of the work in any period
should be done by the pupils so that the latter are really and actively
involved.

4) SEQUENCE
This means how things follow one another. A teacher, like a builder,
must build up step how by step by ensuring that each point follows
clearly from the one before, so that the pupil can easily see the
connection and he is not confused. This must also be borne in mind
when planning the syllabus for the year’s work.

5) LAYOUT
Things to pay attention to here are:
(a) Chalkboard -Diagrams: are these simple, clear, large and do
they tell the story with little or no words?
(b) Writing: is this neat, plain, straight, uniform size? Bearing in mind
the fact that students ‘ questions such as please sir, what is that word
there? ” Waste a lot of precious time.
(c) Placing your Class or Equipment: There must be evidence of
planning so as to ensure that the pupil/students and the teaching
materials are well placed so that the entire class is able to know what
goes on with little movement or discomfort.

6) INTRODUCTION
Teacher Introduction should be bright and uncommon, to capture and
sustain pupils/ student’interest.
7) INTEREST
This can be gained through appropriate introduction. It is crucial the
to gain classroom and sustain. student’s interest which is key to good
discipline in the class room.

8) EQUIPMENT AND APPARATUS

Teachers should ensure that all needed teaching and learning
materials such as maps, reference books, dusters, pictures, chalks,
globes and other materials to be used are made available before the
lesson actually begins. Failure to do this may lead to teacher not
being able to finish lesson as a result of time wastage on the material
if he or she has to look for them when the lesson is already ongoing.

9) SUMMARY
It has been observed that through bad timing or preparation, the most
crucial part of preparing a lesson note is often neglected. The
summary stage often offer the teacher the opportunity to bring out the
main points of his lesson especially the fact. It is therefore important
to note that there are three ways to through which the teacher can
carry out this stage successfully.

(a) Chalkboard: A teacher who has planned his/ her chalkboard

work carefully often has the map points on the chalkboard where he
and pupil/ students can revise the lesson.
(b) Written Work: Here we often find students putting down essential
from. points the chalkboard
(c Questioning: the questions should involve and both the teacher
the students and the latter should be made to actively participate. In
the light of the following, it is obvious that an ideal lesson note be well
planned, well, thought-out and laid out. The ideal note should be
short enough to be quick and arranged in a way that make finding
each step easy. Adequate preparation and proper organization of the
lesson notes can not be over emphasized.