The Lesson Plan
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And now to plan a lesson to the minute, as required
It's a quarter to eleven. You're feeling rather tired
Five hours in a classroom and then a meeting quite unplanned
To see whoever needs you - it's a service - on demand
Then pick the kids up - bring them home and feed them, bath and read
Each one a different story. Not a luxury - a need
It's then you start the marking and it must be so precise
Set targets, record all the grades. Short comments won't suffice
'Please use the prescribed colour when you're marking - it's a must
Set each a special target. That's achievable I trust?
Ensure your words encourage do not dare to criticise'
Despite the fact, you know for sure, the words before your eyes
Have been copied from another or scrawled with little care
To say so would be sacrilege, you know you wouldn't dare
Now how can it be fair you think, whilst looking at the clock,
And shuffle all the books and papers trying to take stock,
That you spend more time marking work when very little time
Was expended by the student? A mountain more to climb
Only sixty books this evening. It's done. Now time for bed?
But you need to plan tomorrow before you lose the thread
First write down the objective for you know that is a must
Should every lesson start the same? It makes them dry as dust
The introduction - make it clear and snappy, not too long
Keep to the script, don't deviate - you know that would be wrong.
Remember, differentiate ability and sex
Confirm you've covered every possibility with checks
And balances that ensure every single need is met
Write it down so management can see you won't forget
To be; inclusive, balanced, broad, activities on task
Explore ethical dimensions. It isn't much to ask
Continually check learning as they progress through the hour
Record responses. Feedback to ensure that you empower
Them all to make good progress and check they have understood
Through q and a's all written on the plan. As if you would
Forget to spell it out for class observers on their rounds
Make certain every detail is included and expounds
The school's core values that should be embedded in each plan
The plenary should reflect the objectives that began
The lesson. Now the students have the chance to have their say
On yellow 'Post It' notes which you should visibly display
Upon the door for all to see. Critics in the making
It's now ten past eleven and your hands are clearly shaking
A lesson planned at last and now your work is nearly through
You make another coffee only three more left to do
It's Monday night. It's going to be a very tiring week
You glance back to the clock again. A tear runs down your cheek
