GETTING TO THE TEACHING POINT

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Technically, a teaching point is the smallest part of information that can be imparted as a self-contained unit to the learner.

Looking at this from a macro level, every teacher should want to, or would like to, reach their students with a teaching point on a regular basis.

Practically speaking, a daily lesson plan, the essential daily unit of teacher preparation, is the most practical road to any teaching point. That said, any lesson plan should ideally include a stated topic, objective, goal and essential question, which, together, assist the teacher in getting their students to the teaching point.

To get to the teaching point, include what the student should be able to perform, most curriculum specialists recommend no more than 4 action words, most usefully tied to objectives.

Further, teachers will want to tie their teaching point to skills attained and motivation, in other words, what will students know and be able to do.

Here are some elements of a lesson plans that will assist you as a teacher to get your students to the teaching point:

  • Vocabulary relating to the teaching point is also important as it works toward a more thorough learning experience.
  • Homilies can be very helpful in reaching the teaching point. Adding stories or appropriate warm-up jokes that fit with the lesson.
  • Procedure Is also very important, using clear, detailed instructions in your lesson plans to reach the teaching point.
  • Teaching Strategies included in lesson plans with suggestions for inclusion, special needs adaptation options, etc., also assist in getting to the teaching point.
  • Don’t forget to include content background in the lecture portion of your lesson plan to work toward the teaching point.
  • Homework from the student activity book, reading in prep for next day’s lesson, etc., also assists in getting students to the teaching point.
  • Check for understanding, that is, verify that your students are on task, beginning to learn and getting to the teaching point with oral response to questions, homework.
  • Sometimes independent practice, where a student does work on their own, such as seat work, presentation, homework, helps to get to the teaching point. You can use this to verify progress or justify remediation or enrichment.
  • How you incorporate learning styles, reteach and expand learning will assist in remediation or enrichment and get your students to the teaching point.
  • Evaluation, or how students prove objectives are met through tests, explanations, demonstrations, all assist in getting them to the teaching point. Assessments after several daily lessons, labs, activities and/or homework will give you valuable feedback regarding which teaching points were most well absorbed.

 

Teaching Point was founded to provide teachers with new assignments subject-specific instructional resources to assist them in getting to the teaching point daily with their students. Each of the over 120 sets of instructional support materials include a course syllabus, pacing guide, detailed daily lesson plans (for the whole semester or school year), editable PowerPoint class notes for the set-up portion of the lesson, student activity or lab, and editable tests and quizzes along with mentoring teacher access.