How to Plan for a Demonstration Lesson for a Teaching Position
- 1). Inquire as to the desired topic for the lesson as well as how many participants you will have in attendance and how long your lesson should last. Some schools may request that you select a topic, while others want all of their candidates to prepare a lesson on the same topic so that they can better compare the lesson effectiveness.
- 2). Determine what technology will be available to you. Technology integration is generally a desirable teaching element. By inquiring about the technology you will have at your disposal, you can not only better plan your lesson but also show your eagerness to use technology.
- 3). Plan short instruction at the beginning of your lesson. While those listening to your lesson are educated adults who likely already know the basics of your topics, it is wise to prepare a several-minute-long intro to refresh them on the topic at hand.
- 4). Prepare a hands-on activity for lesson participants. Experiments, hands-on mini-projects and interactive activities are all commonly useful in maintaining student interest and sharing information. By making one of these enjoyable and learning-rich activities the crux of your demonstration lesson, you show the hiring committee your creativity as an educator.
- 5). Integrate technology into some portion of your lesson. By showing an online video, playing a podcast or completing an interactive technology-based activity with your participants, you demonstrate your technological competence.
- 6). Conclude your lesson with a short wrap-up, reminding participants of the importance of the topic and previewing how you could continue exploring the concept in your hypothetical next lesson. Even though you will not teach a lesson to this group of individuals the next day, making reference to what would come next in the course of study allows the hiring committee to see that you are capable of creating a cohesive unit and connecting your lessons.
- 7). Compose a long-form lesson plan containing the taught standards. Although few educators actually compose long-form lesson plans for daily lessons, doing so for this demonstration lesson will allow the hiring committee to better understand your planning process and see that you are well-versed in the relevant educational standards.