Essential Lesson Planning Tips for New Teachers in the Philippines

Starting your teaching career can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with lesson planning requirements. This comprehensive guide will help new Filipino teachers master the art of lesson planning while meeting DepEd standards and creating engaging learning experiences.

Understanding DepEd Lesson Plan Requirements

Basic Components of a DepEd Lesson Plan

Every MATATAG Curriculum-compliant lesson plan must include:

Learning Competencies - Specific skills/knowledge from DepEd curriculum
Learning Objectives - What students will achieve (cognitive, psychomotor, affective)
Subject Matter - Topics, references, materials
Procedure - Detailed teaching steps
Assessment - How learning will be measured
Assignment/Agreement - Follow-up activities

Sample Lesson Plan Format

SCHOOL: [Your School Name]
TEACHER: [Your Name]
GRADE LEVEL: [Grade & Section]
SUBJECT: [Subject Name]
DATE: [Teaching Date]
TIME: [Duration]

I. LEARNING COMPETENCY
[Exact DepEd competency code and description]

II. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
A. Cognitive: [Knowledge/Understanding goals]
B. Psychomotor: [Skills/Performance goals]
C. Affective: [Values/Attitudes goals]

III. SUBJECT MATTER
A. Topic: [Specific lesson topic]
B. Reference: [Textbook, pages, etc.]
C. Materials: [List all needed materials]
D. Values Integration: [Character values to develop]

IV. PROCEDURE
A. Preliminary Activities (5 minutes)
B. Review (5 minutes)
C. Motivation (10 minutes)
D. Presentation/Discussion (20 minutes)
E. Generalization (5 minutes)
F. Application (10 minutes)

V. ASSESSMENT
[How you'll check understanding]

VI. ASSIGNMENT/AGREEMENT
[Follow-up activities or next lesson preparation]

Pre-Planning: Know Your Students and Context

1. Student Assessment

Before creating lessons, understand your students:

Academic levels: Use diagnostic tests in the first week
Learning styles: Visual, auditory, kinesthetic preferences
Cultural backgrounds: Different regions, languages, traditions
Interests: What motivates and engages them
Special needs: Learning difficulties, physical challenges

2. Resource Inventory

Available Resources Checklist:

Textbooks and learning materials
Technology (computers, projectors, internet)
Physical space and facilities
Community resources and partnerships
Parent and family support systems

3. Time Management Analysis

Teaching Schedule Planning:

How many lessons per day/week?
How much planning time is available?
When are peak energy times for planning?
What tasks can be batched together?

The 5-Step Lesson Planning Process

Step 1: Identify Learning Competencies

How to Find the Right Competencies:

Access the MATATAG Curriculum Guides for K, 1, 4, and 7 (other grades coming in phases)
Use DepEd Commons for learning competencies database
Reference the reduced competency list - MATATAG has 70% fewer competencies than previous K-12
Check the official DepEd Order No. 010, s. 2024 for implementation guidelines

Important: Under MATATAG, competencies are significantly streamlined. This makes lesson planning more focused and manageable for new teachers.

Example for Grade 4 Math:

Learning Competency: M4NS-IIa-40
"Finds the common factors and the greatest common factor (GCF) of 2-4 numbers using continuous division."

Step 2: Write Clear Learning Objectives

SMART Objectives Formula:

Specific: Clearly defined action
Measurable: Can be observed/assessed
Achievable: Realistic for the grade level
Relevant: Connects to students' lives
Time-bound: Achievable within the lesson

Good vs. Poor Objectives:

Poor: "Students will understand fractions." Good: "Students will be able to identify and compare proper fractions using visual models with 80% accuracy."

Step 3: Design Engaging Activities

Activity Planning Framework:

Hook/Motivation (5-10 minutes):

Real-world problems
Interesting videos or images
Games or puzzles
Story connections
Local/cultural references

Main Activity (20-25 minutes):

Direct instruction with interaction
Guided practice with feedback
Collaborative learning activities
Hands-on experiments or projects
Problem-solving tasks

Closure (5-10 minutes):

Summarizing key points
Quick assessment checks
Preview of next lesson
Reflection activities

Step 4: Plan Assessment Strategies

Formative Assessment (During Learning):

Exit tickets with key questions
Thumbs up/down understanding checks
Quick pair-share activities
Observation checklists
Digital polling tools

Summative Assessment (After Learning):

Short quizzes or tests
Performance tasks
Portfolio entries
Project presentations
Peer evaluations

Step 5: Prepare Materials and Resources

Materials Checklist:

Visual aids and charts
Worksheets and handouts
Technology setup and backup plans
Manipulatives or props
Assessment rubrics

Time-Saving Planning Strategies

1. Template Development

Create Master Templates for:

Different subject areas
Various lesson types (new concept, review, assessment)
Common activity structures
Assessment rubrics

2. Resource Banking

Build Collections of:

Motivational activities by topic
Assessment questions by competency
Visual aids and graphics
Video links and digital resources
Extension activities for fast finishers

3. Collaborative Planning

Team Up with Colleagues:

Share lesson plans within grade levels
Divide topics among team members
Create resource-sharing systems
Peer review and feedback sessions

4. Weekly/Monthly Planning

Batch Planning Approach:

Plan multiple lessons at once
Create weekly overviews first
Develop detailed daily plans second
Prepare materials in batches

Common Lesson Planning Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-Planning Content

Problem: Trying to cover too much in one lesson Solution: Focus on 1-2 main concepts per lesson

2. Under-Estimating Time

Problem: Activities taking longer than planned Solution: Always have backup plans and flexible timing

3. Ignoring Student Differences

Problem: One-size-fits-all approach Solution: Include differentiated activities and multiple learning modalities

4. Weak Connections

Problem: Lessons feel disconnected from previous learning Solution: Always include review and clear transitions between topics

5. Assessment Afterthought

Problem: Planning assessment after designing the lesson Solution: Plan assessment alongside objectives and activities

Subject-Specific Planning Tips

Mathematics

Start with concrete examples before abstract concepts
Use manipulatives and visual models
Include real-world problem applications
Plan for common misconceptions

Science

Include hands-on experiments or observations
Connect to students' daily experiences
Use the scientific method structure
Integrate technology when available

English/Filipino

Balance reading, writing, listening, speaking
Use authentic texts and materials
Include cultural connections
Plan for different language proficiency levels

Social Studies

Make historical/cultural connections relevant
Use maps, timelines, and visual organizers
Include current events connections
Promote critical thinking about social issues

Technology Integration

Low-Tech Solutions

Chart paper and markers for group work
Index cards for sorting activities
Physical manipulatives and models
Community walks for real-world connections

High-Tech Enhancements

Educational videos for visualization
Online simulations and virtual labs
Digital collaboration tools
Assessment platforms and apps

Handling Unexpected Situations

Plan B Strategies

If Technology Fails:

Always have non-digital backup activities
Keep printed materials ready
Practice lessons without technology

If Students Finish Early:

Extension activities at different difficulty levels
Peer tutoring opportunities
Independent reading or research
Creative expression projects

If Students Struggle:

Simplified versions of activities
Additional visual or hands-on supports
Peer partnership systems
Modified assessment criteria

Professional Growth Through Planning

Reflection and Improvement

After Each Lesson, Ask:

What went well and why?
What would I change next time?
How did students respond to different activities?
What resources were most/least effective?

Documentation System

Keep Records of:

Successful activity ideas
Student feedback and responses
Resource effectiveness
Time management lessons learned

Continuous Learning

Stay Updated Through:

DepEd Official Website - Latest memorandums and MATATAG updates
MATATAG FAQ Document - Comprehensive implementation guidance
Professional development workshops for MATATAG training
Teacher learning communities sharing MATATAG experiences
Educational blogs and research on the new curriculum framework

Building Support Systems

Mentor Relationships

Seek experienced teachers as mentors
Observe master teachers' classes
Ask for feedback on lesson plans
Share challenges and successes

Professional Learning Communities

Join subject area teacher groups
Participate in school planning committees
Attend district and regional meetings
Connect with teachers online

Family and Community Connections

Involve parents in learning goals
Use community resources and experts
Connect lessons to local culture and events
Seek family support for homework and practice

Conclusion

Effective lesson planning is a skill that develops over time. Start with the basics—clear objectives, engaging activities, and appropriate assessments—then gradually add more sophisticated strategies as you gain experience.

Remember that even experienced teachers adjust their lessons based on student needs and responses. The key is to stay flexible, keep learning, and always put your students' success at the center of your planning process.

Your first year will be challenging, but with consistent effort and the right strategies, you'll develop into the effective educator you aspire to be. Every great teacher started where you are now—embrace the journey and celebrate small victories along the way.

"Ang simula ng isang mahusay na guro ay nagsisimula sa maayos na pagpaplano." (The beginning of a great teacher starts with good planning.)

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Essential DepEd Resources for New Teachers

As you begin your teaching journey, bookmark these official resources:

MATATAG Implementation:

DepEd Order No. 010, s. 2024 - Complete implementation guidelines
MATATAG Curriculum Page - Central information hub
Grade-specific Curriculum Guides - Detailed lesson planning guides

Daily Planning Support:

DepEd Commons - Learning competencies and resources
Learning Resource Portal - Digital materials and tools
K-12 Basic Education Curriculum - Complete curriculum overview

Join communities of new teachers using ClassCrafter to share experiences, resources, and support each other through the exciting journey of teaching with the MATATAG Curriculum in the Philippines.