Flexibility
Finally, and perhaps most importantly when dealing in the world of children and adolescence, is to include some flexibility in your lesson plans. On any given day, things happen, and being able to make adjustments are often necessary. Some days, energy levels are high, while other days, students seem exhausted. This is where the art of teaching comes into play. Being able to make the right adjustments, slowing, speeding up, or changing the activity to match the needs of your students, is something every teacher strives towards. Involving students in the lesson planning process can be an effective way to meet their specific needs. For example, having students complete a short reflection or problem at the end of the lesson as an exit survey can be an effective way to gather feedback to inform your future planning. Simply giving students a voice and more choice within the classroom can lead to more agency, where learning becomes something students do for themselves rather than it being done to them.