Lean Lesson Planning: A practical approach to doing less and achieving more in the classroom

by Peps Mccrea

'A great little book for teachers based on robust evidence.' - Carl Hendrick, Head of Learning and Research at Wellington College

This book is for any teacher who's interested in improving their lesson planning and practice. It outlines a set of mindsets and habits you can use to help you identify the most impactful parts of your teaching, and put them centre stage.

It's about doing less to achieve more.

But it's also about being happier and more confident in the classroom. Building stronger routines around the essentials will give you more time and space to appreciate and think creatively about your work.

POWER UP YOUR PLANNING

Lean Lesson Planning draws on the latest evidence from educational research and cognitive science, to present a concise and coherent framework to help you improve learning experiences and outcomes for your students. It's the evidence-based teacher's guide to planning for learning, and sits alongside books such as Teach Like a Champion, Embedded Formative Assessment, and Visible Learning for Teachers.

NOTE If you're looking for ways to short-cut the amount of time you spend planning lessons, then this book is not for you. The approach outlined in Lean Lesson Planning requires effort and practice, that given time, will lead to better teaching and higher quality learning for less input.

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CONTENTS

ACT I Lean foundations
1. Defining lean 2. Lean mindsets 3. Lean habits ACT II Habits for planning
4. Backwards design 5. Knowing knowledge 6. Checking understanding 7. Efficient strategies 8. Lasting learning 9. Inter-lesson planning ACT III Habits for growing
10. Building excellence 11. Growth teaching 12. Collective improvement Lean Lesson Planning is the first instalment in the High Impact Teaching series.

Genres: Teaching, Education, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published May 1, 2015

About the author

Peps Mccrea is an award-winning teacher educator, designer and author. He is Dean of Learning Design at Ambition Institute, author of the High Impact Teaching series, and holds fellowships from the Young Academy and University of Brighton. Peps has three Masters degrees, two lovely kids, and dances like no one is watching, which is probably for the best. Visit pepsmccrea.com for the full shebang.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the attempt to make this book concise, but I could have used examples etc. Still some helpful ideas and a fast read.

[Velma · Rating 2 out of 5]

No concrete ideas but more of an overall mindset

I was looking for concrete ideas to improve my lesson planning. Not a bad read just not what I needed.

[Zeba Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with his book on how to encourage students to learn and build their memories/long-term understanding, Peps McCrea comes up with some interesting and useful questions to help teachers reflect on practice and develop perhaps a more systematic approach. Some issues with some of the metaphors chosen, but minor quibbling. Overall, worthwhile, although over-dependent on Hattie.

[Matt Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book was useful. Some parts will be quite similar to those already aware of mindfulness. I hope I will be able to put the advice into practice, I am concerned that when I actually start teaching it will be overwhelming. Many of the strategies in this book would be useful in the long run but take some effort to introduce in the short run. I hope I will be able to implement them.

[Michael Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really short (lean) but useful book. I first heard about this on Craig Barton’s podcast during an interview with Peps. It certainly didn’t disappoint and has provided me with an incredibly useful framework for lesson planning as I embark on my NQT year from August. Like I said, short but it really does pack a punch, and provides signposts to further reading / information.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps quite a few basic, this-sounds-obvious points in this guide, but I found that to be precisely the point. A good resource to quickly check how you do your planning, particularly if you have no extended pedagogical education.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too lean. There were headings without substance, references with footnotes; go find it out for yourself somewhere else. Save yourself the time and just go elsewhere and avoid this beginning of a book.

[Kevin Fulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great introduction to lesson planning. It is only around a hundred pages so you can work through it pretty quickly. And if you want to go more in depth, you can check out the suggested readings at the end of each chapter.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

McCrea's writing continues to amaze - not a word is wasted and key principles and sage advice are doled out in chunks of unmistakable clarity. It would benefit every teacher to spend a couple of hours digesting this book
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[Lydia Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I am a trainee teacher and I wish I read that book earlier. I learn how to approach lesson planning as a tool instead of as a chore I had to show my school mentor. Thanks !

[Майя Жилина · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how synthesized and straight to the point the book is but at times it really lacks examples so that the reader can put the ideas into perspective. It does make a lot of important points so I definitely would recommend it to teachers who want to work on their lesson planning.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful and pragmatic. I took a lot of reminders from this and although I didn’t get anything new, I found it useful in promoting me to rethink how I do a few things. Well worth the quick read...

[James Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb book, just read for all teachers

I loved this book so much i contemplated (if I was a leader) purchasing the book for any teachers i go into manage in the future.

[Juliet Stedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very eye-opening and very clear layout. Some good examples of how to put lean lesson planning into practice however more examples would make it even better!

[Elsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever teacher needs to read this book!

THANK YOU! This is my 40 year in education, and I found your book very insightful. I appreciated the concise way you covered so many important aspects of reading!
Elsie Moses-Hoeg, PhD