S.T.E.P. UP
your lesson planning

Unsure of where to start when planning your lessons? The Lesson Planning Resource Center is here to help! You will find everything you need to STEP UP your lesson planning AND save time. The STEP UP system is simple:

S = standards: Choose 1-3 target standards.
T = text: Choose a high-interest text.
E = engage: Choose an engaging topic to hook students' attention.
P = plan: Start by planning summative assessments. Then, build the lessons that will prepare students for the end game!
UP = Get kids on their feet and moving!

Grab my brand new book, Read It Write It Love It, where I share resources to help you STEP Up your planning and engage readers and writers more than you ever dreamed possible!

S.T.E.P. Up Lesson Planning

S is for Standards

Choose between one and three standards to frame your lesson. Lesson framing means your lesson starts by introducing or reviewing the standard(s) and you end by reflecting on growth in understanding of that standard. The heart of the lesson, everything that happens within the frame, is where you can instruct, model, and give students time to apply their learning.

T is for Text

Choose a text that either works as a writing mentor text or as a tool to help achieve mastery of the standard. For example, the poem "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll is perfect for teaching standard RL 4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings. Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning, tone, and mood, including words with multiple meanings.

E is for Engage

Choose an engaging topic that works as a lens for your lesson. For example, if students were working on mastering standard RL 4, determining the meaning of words and phrases, vocabulary alone would not necessarily be an engaging topic. The power of words would be an engaging lens. Nothing but Nonsense would also be fun! An engaging topic can turn a boring lesson into an experience students never forget!

P is for Plan

Backwards planning is your best friend. Once you've decided on target standards, a text, and an engaging topic, plan your summative assessments. How will students show their understanding at the END of the study? How will they show their understanding halfway through? Plan a mid and end of unit assessment. Then, plan the lessons that will help students to acheive mastery on each.

UP: Get kids on their feet!

Plan on-your-feet learning experiences to make learning active! Here are a few ideas:

Musical Peer Review
Take a Stand
Chalk Talk
Stations
Best in Class
Matching Task Cards
Four Corners
On Your Feet Test Prep

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S.T.E.P. Up Lesson Idea

Standard RL 1