How to Find New and Creative Lesson Plans

Whether you're a teacher, tutor, or simply want to help your child with tough concepts at home, creative lesson plans are a must. Children, particularly younger kids, can become easily bored, and when weariness begins, the learning process ends. Finding inventive ways to present the same old lessons will not only encourage a student to pay attention, but allow you to have a bit of fun yourself. Building a repertoire of several plans for the same lessons will also ensure you have back-up if something doesn't seem to be working. Each student has their own unique learning styles, so try to accommodate them when you can.

There are a number of ideas and lesson plan resources available to you, regardless of subject or grade-level. Here's where to find them:

The Internet

The Internet offers a wealth of educational resources, and unique lesson plans are no exception. While some charge a nominal fee, many are free. Some sites allow one to download complete lesson plans, often created by educational professional. Other sites host a forum where teachers and parents can meet and exchange ideas. LessonPlansPage.com, for instance, allows teachers to post or locate plans in a variety of subjects, including:

• Math
• Science
• Music
• Language
• Art
• Social Studies

One can then select an appropriate grade-level, from pre-Kindergarten through High School. Other resources like Scholastic, www.teacher.scholastic.com, allow one to print planning calendars, classroom organizers and access online activities.

Books

There are a number of books on the market created to provide teachers with effective, yet creative lesson plans. Like the Internet, books allow you to find both grade and subject appropriate plans. Unlike the Internet, however, books often cost money and must be replaced if methods become outdated. Scholastic's website allows you to order lesson plan books by both grade and subject.

Fellow Parents and Teachers

Perhaps the best way to find new lesson plans is by simply asking other parents and teachers what works for them. Unlike a book or the Internet, a person can give you feed back, answer your questions, and provide tried and true tips for success.

Your Imagination

Some of the best lesson plans can come from your own imagination. You, after all, know your classroom and/or your children better than anybody else. You are familiar with the skills they have mastered, their learning styles, and how creative you need to be to reach them. Got a great idea for your next math lesson? Give it a try! Just remember to test its effectiveness and make adjustments if necessary. The ultimate goal of every lesson plan is to simply relay new information in a way a student understands. If you've managed to do this, you're a success.