Post #1

I haven't really done any lesson planning yet, but two years ago when I was doing my observations in a classroom with my fiance's cousin in Virginia, she showed me how she had to do all of her lesson planning based on what was already "preplanned" out for her. I would like to do my lesson plans by allowing enough time for each activity, doing interesting activities with the class to maybe break up my lecture with some movement with the class.
In my observations I get to see how the students are reacting while the teacher is concentrating on teaching. Some students learn well by listening to the teacher talk, but most are very distracted by either their peers or by doodling or doing something else of their own. I would like to make my lessons enjoyable for the students, even if I am lecturing to them. You have to teach with enthusiasm and keep the students on their toes.
Learner centered teaching to me means that you have to keep the learner in mind when doing your lesson plans. You have to keep in mind the best ways that they learn and which ways they won't learn. Teaching an entire lesson by just lecture and no break or having them do anything will probably make the students get off track easier. You have to hold the attention of the students and base your teaching styles around the learner.
That day in class we went over how to "break down" a CSO and I felt that really helpful. What do you think would be the most important thing(s) to know when doing a lesson plan?