Planning involves setting goals and developing a rationale for instruction, defining objectives, constructing a method of evaluation, and creating units of study that encompass the content of the course of study (Gunter, Estes& Schwab, 2003).
Planning is the process of setting goals, developing strategies, and outlining tasks and schedules to accomplish goals.
Careful preparation and planning are necessary for effective teaching to take place. Therefore, it is very important that the Social Studies teacher plans for instruction at the Secondary Schools. Teachers determine how content and skills are delivered in the classroom. School district curriculum, state standards, and national standards play a role in what students should learn (Jackson & Davis, 2000), but it falls to the teacher to structure how students should learn it. Planning is a deliberate process that results in teachers being well-prepared prior to walking through the classroom door for the day (Wharton-McDonald et al., 1998). Time management and the preparation of materials and resources in advance have been observed to be an effective teaching practice. Planning allows the Social Studies teacher to select the most appropriate method for instruction.
Good planning is the first step to an effective classroom, and one main tasks that an effective teacher must master. A well-planned class reduces stress on the teacher and helps minimize disruptions. When teachers know what they need to accomplish and how they are going to do it, they have a better opportunity to achieve success with the added benefit of less stress. Further, when students are engaged the entire class period, they have less opportunity to cause disruptions. It is obvious that the behavior of the teacher, the quality of the lesson, and the method of delivery all play into an effective day in class.
An effective Social Studies teacher assesses her students preconception or misconception about the topic at hand.
Bibliography: http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/105156/chapters/Planning-and-Organizing-for-Instruction.aspx http://www.socialstudies.org/positions/powerful