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The Lesson Planning Game-Changer ~ You Didn’t Know You Needed

Writer's picture: Dr. Nadine O'GarroDr. Nadine O'Garro

Updated: Jan 11




No more shots in the dark!
No more shots in the dark!

Hey SuperTeachers! Last week, we talked about setting ambitious SMART Goals and using progress monitoring to ensure all students achieve at least 20% growth by the end of the school year. Now let’s dive into a planning strategy that will help you crush those goals: Doing the Work Before Assigning It.


Why It Matters: Proper planning prevents poor performance—it’s not about perfection, but about being prepared to meet your students where they are and guide them forward.


The most critical—and often overlooked—component of lesson planning is Doing the assignments yourself before assigning them to your students.


Here’s why Doing the work first is critical:

  • You’ll spot potential “kinks,” like unclear instructions or overly complex steps, and intentionally pre-plan how you will address the kinks in advance.

  • You’ll better understand key vocabulary, concepts, and learning objectives.

  • You’ll ensure the formative assessment aligns with what students will actually engage with during the lesson.


Quick Tips for Doing the Work:

  1. Skip the Teacher Guide at First: Start with the student version of the assignment to get an authentic experience.

  2. Engage Fully: Complete every part of the lesson, from the Do Now to the Exit Ticket, just as your students will.

  3. Plan with Intention: After completing the work, research key terms, review differentiation strategies, and allocate time thoughtfully for each part of the lesson.


What’s Possible When You Do the Work?

  • Clearer connections to previous and upcoming lessons.

  • More effective differentiation for all learners.

  • Confidence to adapt on the fly when students ask thoughtful questions or need extra support.


Thanks for reading to the end SuperTeachers.


Stay tuned for Wednesday’s blog, where we’ll break down the how-to of lesson planning using this approach and tackle common challenges like grade-level standards and raising rigor.


~ the Academy

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