Definition: To write an effective lesson plan, you must define what you will do for the Anticipatory Set. This step is written after the Objective and before the Direct Instruction.
In the Anticipatory Set section, you outline what you will say and/or present to your students before the direct instruction of the lesson begins.
The purpose of the Anticipatory Set is to:
- Provide continuity from previous lessons, if applicable
- Allude to familiar concepts and vocabulary as a reminder and refresher
- Tell the students briefly what the lesson will be about
- Gauge the students' level of collective background knowledge of the subject to help inform your instruction
- Activate the students' existing knowledge base
- Whet the class's appetite for the subject at hand
- Briefly expose the students to the lesson's objectives and how you will get them to the end result
To write your Anticipatory Set, consider the following questions:
- How can I involve as many as students as possible, piquing their interests for the subject matter to come?
- How should I inform my students of the lesson's context and objective, in kid-friendly language?
- What do the students need to know before they can delve into the lesson plan itself and direct instruction?
Anticipatory Sets are more than just words and discussion with your students. You can also engage in a brief activity or question-and-answer session to start the lesson plan off in a participatory and active manner.
Examples:
- Remind the children of animals and plants they have studied earlier in the year.
- Ask the class to raise their hands to contribute to a discussion of what they already know about plants. Write a list on the blackboard of the characteristics they name, while prompting them and offering ideas and comments as needed. Repeat the process for a discussion of the properties of animals. Point out major similarities and differences.
- Tell the children that it is important to learn about plants and animals because we share the earth with them and depend upon each other for survival.
