1. Research the topic: What can you learn about this topic? How does it fit into the curriculum standards? As much as possible, you should make yourself knowledgable about a subject before you teach it. This will give you confidence and help you answer student questions. It will also help you prepare a better lesson.
2. Research curriculum ideas: Search for examples of how to teach this material online. While it is wonderful if you can be original and creative, there is nothing wrong with building your lesson off the work of others. There are a lot of great ideas out there, and tracking them down can be a big job, in and of itself.
3. Research teaching methods: What is the best way to get this information across? You want your students to LEARN. How will you keep them engaged? How will you meet the needs of the range of students in the class?
4. Make your materials: Even if you build your lesson off someone else, it is always a good idea to personalize it. Do you need to develop readings or handouts? What materials, supplies, technology, seating arrangements, etc, do you need to organize in advance?
5. Develop your lesson plan: Plan out exactly how you are going to use your time (20-45 minutes). In your lesson plan, you should also give credit to any existing curriculum you built off of, list out everything you have to get ready, and link to other useful resources.
6. Mentor teacher feedback: Share your lesson plan and all the materials you plan to use with your mentor teacher. Make adjustments based on his/her advice.
7. Practice teaching: You will run your activity in class with your peers to see how well it works. Use this experience to fine-tune your lesson.
8. Teach with students: Carry out your lesson with students. After you teach it, talk/email with your mentor teacher to get their perspective.
9. Reflection on your lesson: In writing, review your process of developing curriculum, refining it, and using it with students. Consider what you learned and how the curriculum could be improved for future use.
