Double Plan is an effective lesson planning practice in which teachers plan for what students will be doing during the course of a lesson. Planning is often focused on what the teacher will be saying, doing, and modeling during the lesson. The Double Plan practice reminds teachers to plan for their students’ actions as well. The practice helps teachers see the lesson through the eyes of the student in order to make sure students stay actively engaged in all aspects of the lesson. Double Plan is something teachers may not do for every lesson; however, after doing this for several lesson cycles, this practice helps teachers consider more thoroughly what students need to do and incorporate this information into their regular lesson plans.

• Create an objective-driven lesson.
• Create a T-chart with “You” on one side and “Them” on the other.
• On the “You” side, write down all the things the teacher will be doing during the course of the lesson. On the “Them” side, write down the corresponding things the students will be doing. Examples of student actions may include:
  • Taking notes
  • Reflecting with a partner
  • Mentally predicting
  • Attentively observing a demonstration
• Implement the lesson plan.