When creating lesson plans, I try to create lessons with specific, age appropriate, learning objectives and measurable goals that the students can achieve. I also try to use a scaffolded approach to learning. This scaffolding style of teaching allows for students to review what they were previously taught, learn a new topic, and make connections between the two. This approach can been seen in the example lesson plans below.

In the elementary school example, the warm-up acted as a review for the opening section of the piece while also working on technique. The main portion of the lesson focused on learning the last portion of the tune. As we went, I made sure to make connections from the new section to the previous one like similar rhythms, dynamics, and articulation.

In the high school example, the review portion of the lesson consisted of warming up with scales they had previously learned. This review allowed us to learn a new exercise revolving around their previously learned scales. After this, we learned new material from an ensemble piece for the upcoming concert. I was able to connect their prior knowledge of rhythms, technique, and reading from their scales to this new music.