1. Syllabus & Lesson Planning
Tina Bachman,
TADP Coordinator

2. Objectives Discuss: 1. Rationale for creating syllabi & lesson plans.
2. How to create an effective lesson plan.
3. Sample syllabi & lesson plans.

3. Syllabi
What it is – A schedule, outline, contract: tells students about the course, in some cases sells the course
What it isn’t – Notes, lesson plan, bibliography
Essential: Contact info ( , office, office hours, phone#), course materials (texts, articles, websites, media links), assignments & due dates, grading scale/breakdown, schedule of topics covered
Helpful: Extra resources (readings, tutoring, writing help, websites), classroom policies (re: food, computers, phones), assignment policies (group, individual work), plagiarism policy

4. Lesson Plan Rationale for lesson plans:
Maintain focus on student learning
Stay organized and on topic
Gives students a sense of direction
Help support student learning outcomes
Avoid being the absent minded professor

5. Components of a Lesson Plan
Anticipatory set
Statement of objectives
Instructional input
Modeling
Check for understanding
Guided practice
Independent practice
Instructional input: Lecture, demo, instructions, explanations
Check for understanding: read faces, body language, ask questions
Modeling: Demonstrate; show what you tell
Guided practice: Help students start practicing new skills and applying new knowledge
Independent practice

6. Steps for Preparing a Lesson Plan
1. Outline learning objectives.
2. Develop introduction.
3. Plan specific learning activities.
4. Plan to check for understanding.
5. Develop a conclusion and preview.
6. Create a realistic timeline.

7. Resources LESSON PLAN SPECIFIC:
Hunter, Madeline. Enhancing Teaching. New York: Macmillan, 1993.
Teaching Assistant Development Program. University of California, Riverside. “Resources.”
Terrill, John. “Creating Effective Lesson Plans.” Teaching Assistant Development Program. University of California, Riverside.
Spring 2013.
EFFECTIVE TEACHING at the UNIVERSITY LEVEL:
Bain, Ken. What the Best College Teachers Do. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2004.
Lang, James M. A Week-by-Week Guide to Your First Semester of College Teaching. Cambridge: Harvard University Press,
2008.
Svinicky, Marilla and Wilbert J. McKeachie. Teaching Tips: Strategies, Research, and Theory for College and University
Teachers. 13th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2011.