Identifying Lesson Topics

  The teacher begins to plan each lesson by considering the students' characteristics as well as the learning context. This consideration entails a deep understanding of what he or she is to teach (content standards, standards-based curriculum, and guidelines), what students should be able to do, and what performance will look like when instruction has been completed. Lesson information includes not only the content but also the learning and developmental needs of the students. The teacher must consider if resources are available, and should decide whether or not the lesson should take one class period or several.