Whether you’re creating online courses as a content creator, or in-person lesson plans and curriculum as a teacher, many of the same curriculum design principles apply.
Create a Plan
Creating an instructional plan is essential for organizing, guiding, and optimizing the teaching and learning process. It supports both teachers and students in achieving desired learning outcomes, managing time and resources effectively, and providing differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all students.
Determine Your Learning Objectives
The most important part of creating a plan is determining your learning objectives. Many teachers balk at this because they’ve been to terrible PD sessions with too many buzz words. Just think of Learning Objectives as your GOALS for the course. What is it that you want students to learn, gain, or walk away with?
Keys to Engaging Design
Here are three of the most important elements of engaging design:
1. Small wins
Small wins are simple activities/challenges in your course that give your students a sense of accomplishment and confidence. They keep students excited about learning and refuel their motivation.
Include small wins throughout the course, and award your learners with badges and congratulatory pop-up messages every time they complete a challenge.
2. Scaffolding
Scaffolding is layering the learning experience, so students build on the concepts they already understand. Scaffolding requires that you gradually layer from simple concepts to more challenging ideas by telling students how this new information fits into what they already know. Keep in mind that scaffolding is an excellent way to prevent cognitive overload.
3. Active learning
It is not enough to include dozens of videos of yourself speaking into the camera or do a lot of screen recording. Learners must DO something to learn. Use quizzes, assignments, and interactive elements to transform learners from passive to active. Social activities like course discussions and live workshops are also incredibly effective and engaging.
If you’re currently a content creator or thinking about becoming a content creator, it’s my opinion that teachers and writers are most suited to creating online courses. I’ve also found that online courses are not only fun to create (I always learn something every time), but they are also the most potentially lucrative. Creating an online course can offer numerous benefits for content creators and their audience. Here are some key advantages to working with this medium:
Share expertise and knowledge: Online courses allow content creators to package their expertise and knowledge in a structured format. They can share their unique insights, skills, and experiences with their audience, providing valuable learning opportunities.
Reach a wider audience: By offering an online course, content creators can reach a global audience. Unlike traditional in-person workshops or seminars, online courses can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection, breaking down geographical barriers and increasing the potential reach of their content.
Monetization opportunities: Online courses can be a source of income for content creators. They can charge a fee for access to the course, creating a revenue stream that complements other content creation efforts. Courses can also be offered as part of a subscription or membership model, providing ongoing revenue.
Establish authority and credibility: Developing and delivering high-quality online courses can enhance a content creator’s reputation as an authority in their field. By sharing in-depth knowledge and providing valuable educational content, they can build credibility and trust among their audience, potentially leading to additional opportunities such as speaking engagements or collaborations.
Fostering deeper engagement: Online courses often provide a more immersive and interactive learning experience compared to other forms of content. They allow content creators to engage with their audience on a deeper level, facilitating active participation, discussions, and feedback. This can strengthen the relationship between the content creator and their audience.
Flexible learning options: Online courses offer flexibility in terms of timing and accessibility. Learners can access the course material at their own pace and convenience, fitting their education into their schedule. This flexibility accommodates diverse learning styles and allows individuals to tailor their learning experience to their specific needs.
Addressing specific needs: Online courses enable content creators to address specific pain points or needs of their audience. They can develop courses that provide practical solutions, step-by-step guides, or specialized knowledge in a particular niche. This targeted approach enhances the value of the course and increases its relevance to the learners.
Evergreen content and scalability: Once created, online courses can be available indefinitely, making them evergreen resources. Content creators can continue to generate revenue and provide value over time without constantly creating new content. Additionally, online courses can be scaled easily to accommodate a growing audience without significant additional resources.
By creating online courses, content creators can leverage their expertise, reach a wider audience, generate income, establish authority, foster engagement, provide flexible learning options, address specific needs, and scale their offerings. It can be a win-win situation for both content creators and their audience, providing valuable educational experiences while creating new opportunities for growth.
My posts on Side-Hustles for Educators and Getting Started on Teachers Pay Teachers were so popular and have generated so much feedback from my readers that I started thinking about the role that content creation can play in the lives of teachers, writers, and educators.
Let’s face it, in this economy, almost everyone is thinking about how to make more money. But I think content creation is about SO MUCH MORE, especially for educators and writers. It’s about the act of CREATION, finding an audience, and building a community.
Teachers are not lauded and respected for their expertise in teaching, learning, and creating engaging content and lessons for their students. Reaching out to the larger internet community can boost your sense of self as an educator, generate a little self-respect, and even earn a little pocket money.
What is a content creator? Basically, anyone who creates CONTENT that people want to CONSUME. This includes stories, writing of any kind, articles, blog posts, photography, artwork, comics, podcasts, educational videos, vlogs, online courses, etc.
Here are the BENEFITS of becoming a content creator.
Creative expression: Content creation allows individuals to express their creativity and share their unique perspectives with the world. Whether through writing, photography, video production, podcasting, or other mediums, content creation provides a platform for artistic and creative self-expression.
Sharing knowledge and expertise: Content creators have the opportunity to share their knowledge, skills, and experiences with others. By creating informative and educational content, they can contribute to the learning and growth of their audience. It can be immensely fulfilling to see the positive impact of sharing valuable information and insights.
Building a personal brand: Content creation enables individuals to build their personal brand and establish themselves as experts or thought leaders in their respective fields. By consistently creating high-quality content, they can gain visibility, credibility, and recognition among their target audience and industry peers.
Connecting with like-minded individuals: Content creation provides a platform for connecting with like-minded individuals who share similar interests or passions. It can foster a sense of community and belonging, where creators and their audience can engage in meaningful discussions, collaborations, and support one another’s creative endeavors.
Opportunity for monetization: Content creation can offer various avenues for monetization. Through advertising, sponsorships, brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, or even selling products or services related to their content, creators can generate income and potentially turn their passion into a sustainable career.
Professional and personal growth: Engaging in content creation can be a journey of continuous learning and personal growth. Creators often acquire new skills, stay up-to-date with industry trends, and refine their craft through consistent practice and feedback. It can also provide opportunities for networking and professional development within their niche or industry.
Impact and influence: Content creators have the ability to make a positive impact on their audience and influence change. Through thought-provoking content, they can inspire, motivate, educate, and even advocate for causes they care about. The ability to shape opinions, raise awareness, and contribute to positive societal changes can be a driving force for many creators.
Flexibility and independence: Content creation offers a degree of flexibility and independence in terms of working hours, location, and creative direction. Creators have the freedom to work on their own terms, pursue projects they are passionate about, and establish a work-life balance that suits their needs and preferences.
While content creation requires dedication, consistency, and effort, the rewards can be significant. It provides a platform for creative expression, knowledge sharing, personal growth, professional opportunities, and the ability to make a positive impact on others. Ultimately, the decision to become a content creator depends on an individual’s interests, skills, and aspirations.
I’ll be honest, in the summer I tend to fluctuate between wanting to do nothing but sit on the couch watching Netflix and eating Taco Bell, to wanting to work on projects that I never have time for (like writing my novel), to wanting to do some prep for the coming school year.
It’s important to rest and recharge, but I also find that I get more out of summer, and have a less stressful school year, when I plan to do a little work on projects and prep. I make it fun, by working in a coffee shop or preparing a snack to eat while I work, and I stick to being producting only a few days a week, while the rest of the week I do things with my kids.
Here are some suggestions for things to do to prepare for the coming school year:
Reflect on the previous year: THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. Take time to reflect on the previous school year, identifying both successes and areas for improvement. Consider what worked well and what changes you want to implement in the upcoming year.
Set goals: Establish clear and achievable goals for the upcoming school year. These can be related to student achievement, personal growth, or professional development. Setting goals will give you a sense of direction and purpose.
Create or update resources: Take the time to create or update teaching resources, such as lesson plans, worksheets, and presentations. Consider incorporating new instructional strategies, technologies, or resources that can enhance student learning.
Explore new teaching strategies: Stay up to date with the latest educational research and pedagogical approaches. Explore new teaching strategies that align with your goals and the needs of your students. Look for professional development opportunities or online courses that can expand your teaching toolkit.
Read educational literature: Read books, articles, or research papers related to education and teaching. Explore topics that interest you, such as classroom management, instructional strategies, or social-emotional learning. These readings can deepen your understanding and inform your practice.
Refresh your knowledge: Review content knowledge in your subject area. Brush up on topics you might be teaching and ensure you are up to date with any changes in your field. This will boost your confidence and help you deliver accurate and meaningful instruction.
Take care of yourself: Remember to prioritize self-care during the summer break. Engage in activities that recharge you mentally, emotionally, and physically. Take time for hobbies, relaxation, and spending quality time with loved ones. A well-rested and rejuvenated teacher can bring more energy and enthusiasm to the classroom.
Plan for classroom management: Reflect on your classroom management strategies and consider any necessary adjustments. Plan for establishing routines, rules, and procedures at the beginning of the school year to create a positive and structured learning environment.
By engaging in some of these activities, we can start the school year feeling prepared and inspired.
I’ve been pondering the problem of AI and ChatGPT for writers and teachers of writing, and there is one important, overlooked role of writing in our lives and especialy in the ELA classroom, which is the role of writing as THINKING. It would be valuable for teachers to model for their students a change in percecption as writing as a hoop to jump through or a task to check off. The focus on writing as confined, rigid final product that meets an assignment requirement will only incentivize students to take shortcuts in the form of plaigairism or overreliance on AI tools.
What is writing as thinking?
Writing as thinking is a process in which you use writing as a tool to clarify and develop your thoughts. It involves putting your ideas into words, organizing them on paper or a digital document, and refining them as you go. Here are a few examples of how writing can be used as a means of thinking:
Journaling: Keeping a journal is a common way to engage in writing as thinking. By writing about your experiences, thoughts, and emotions, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your reactions to the world around you. It allows you to reflect on your experiences and explore different perspectives.
Example: “Today, I felt overwhelmed by the workload at my job. I started journaling to understand why I feel this way and to brainstorm possible solutions. As I wrote, I realized that my lack of time management is contributing to my stress. I made a list of tasks I need to complete and identified areas where I can improve my efficiency.”
Free Writing: Free writing involves setting a timer and writing continuously without worrying about grammar, spelling, or coherence. The goal is to let your thoughts flow without any restrictions. This technique can help you bypass self-censorship and access deeper layers of your thinking.
Example: “I have been struggling with a decision lately. Should I take that job offer or stay in my current position? There are so many factors to consider: salary, work-life balance, career growth, and personal fulfillment. As I free wrote about it, I discovered that my fear of change and the unknown is holding me back. It made me realize that I need to explore my fears and evaluate the potential benefits of taking the leap.”
Mind Mapping: Mind mapping is a visual technique that allows you to brainstorm and organize your thoughts in a non-linear manner. It involves creating a diagram with a central idea and branching out to related concepts and subtopics. Mind maps can help you see connections between ideas and generate new insights.
Example: “I was assigned a research project, and I started by creating a mind map. I wrote down the main topic in the center and then brainstormed related keywords and concepts around it. As I expanded the branches, I noticed patterns and themes emerging. This helped me clarify the scope of my project and identify potential areas of focus.”
Drafting and Revising: When working on a complex piece of writing, such as an essay or a report, you can use the drafting and revising process as a form of thinking. By writing an initial draft, you can externalize your thoughts and ideas. Then, through the process of revising and editing, you can refine and develop your arguments and structure.
Example: “I started writing an essay on climate change, and my initial draft was scattered and lacked a clear argument. As I revised my work, I realized that I needed to narrow down my focus and develop a strong thesis statement. I also found gaps in my evidence and had to conduct further research to strengthen my arguments. The act of writing and revising helped me clarify my thoughts and present a more coherent and persuasive piece.”
These are just a few examples of how writing can be used as a thinking tool. The process of putting your thoughts into words can help you explore ideas, uncover insights, and gain a deeper understanding of complex topics. It’s a valuable practice for personal reflection, problem-solving, and academic or professional writing.
Everyone is exhausted. My middle school-aged children at home (ages 11-14) hate school and do not want to go. Some of that is end-of-year burnout, some of that is middle school (it’s a tough age), but parents of all ages are feeling it. As a college teacher, I will tell you that the students in my classrooms are tired, bored, ill-prepared, and behind. And this is a group of students who want to be teachers! If my 400-level English Education majors are struggling this much, I can’t imagine what teachers of college freshman are dealing with.
Teachers of every grade-level are feeling burnout. There is so much anger and blame. Whose fault is it? WHOSE FAULT IS IT? Could be:
The screens
Social media
CHAT GPT
Racism
The parents
The schools
The teachers
THE PANDEMIC
The economy
The environment
The guns
The Democrats
The Republicans
For elementary school teachers it’s almost always the parents. For middle and high school teachers, it’s the elementary school teachers, for the college teachers it’s the high school teachers. And it’s always the screens. If we just take away the screens, things will improve.
I’m not so sure.
As someone who has school-aged children, who spends a good part of her work week visiting and observing in the public schools (I do research, help teachers, and supervise student teachers), and who reads teaching and professor forums, what I DO SEE is a generation of exhausted professionals who are clinging to out-dated teaching methods. It’s nobody’s fault. We were trained to teach this way.
However, I have always felt strongly that taking away technology is not the solution. Barring iPhones and ChatGPT from the classroom to preserve outdated methods feels fundamentailly wrong to me.
I don’t know the answer. When I’m really struggling I turn to the fundamentals of constructivist teaching, which I have learned again and again, while earning my doctorate, through my own teaching, and through continuing to read and do research into pedagogy, is the most effective method. People scoff at constructivism as a buzz word because they don’t understand it.
At it’s very core, constructivism simply means ACTIVELY INVOLVING STUDENTS IN THEIR OWN LEARNING.
We scoff at “ACTIVE LEARNING” because it’s a phrase that is used all the time without any real mearning or purpose. All ir means is simplly asking the students to take an action of some kind. It iis n the ACTION that the learning happens.
Students are not good at listening passively. None of us are. Things go in one ear and out the other. Instead of passive lecturing, require that students seek out the information themselves and fill out a graphic organizer. Ask them to confer with their peers. Give them ample amounts of time to socialize, but a very limited amount of time to complete a task.
For example, present a new concept in a short period of time, just a few minutes. Present the material orally as well as visually. Have studets take notes using a graphic organizer to guide their notetaking. Then, have students work in groups to apply the concept to a problem. Have them actively practice or apply the concept. Have the groups work together to write on the white board or fill out a Google Slide. Give each student an active role. One student writes down the answers, one student will present to the class, one student keeps track of time.
Walk around while groups are working. You have to walk around. As soon as you sit down, students will go off the rails. Is it tiring to be on your feet all day? Of course, but it’s actually less exhausting than dealing with an entire classroom full of students who aren’t doing anything. You can sit down while the groups present. Also, wear comfortable shoes. Get a fitbit.
When the time is up, have groups present what they learned. Call on students by name. Ask them to explain their process. Get them used to thinking out loud in the classroom. Get them comfortable with explaining their thinking even when they don’t understand. It’s okay if they don’t understand.
This is just the start. There are other approaches, other ways of teaching. Remember, there is no one approach that will work with every student. I will be using this blog to explore different approaches and different methods, as well as providing resources, such as Power Point slides, graphic organizers, group work forms, and self-reflection tools to help making teaching easier.
I’ve been selling on Teachers Pay Teachers (who recently changed their brand and name to TpT) since 2017, but I’ve only recently begun to have a small amount of success. I typically make between $25-50 a month (I made a grand total of $644 last year), but am slowly seeing that number increase as I work to create more products and improve the quality of my resources and product descriptions.
There is a little bit of controversy about TpT in some teaching circles, but in other professions it’s completely normal to sell IP (intellectual property) and consulting services. As an educator, I have found some high-quality resources that have ranged from life-saving to just making my life easier on a Monday morning. That being said, there are some poor-quality resources on TpT, so buyer beware. I never buy or sell anything that doesn’t have a detailed product description and a preview of what I’m buying or selling, but more on that below.
If you’ve never sold on TpT before, here are some tips to help you get started selling lesson plans and curriculum resources.
Research the market: Before you start creating your lesson plans and curriculum resources, take some time to research what is already available on Teachers Pay Teachers. Look for popular topics and themes, as well as gaps in the market where you could provide valuable resources. Pay attention to pricing, too; you don’t want to underprice or overprice your materials.
Identify your niche: Start by identifying your area of expertise and the topics you are most passionate about. Consider the subjects and grade levels you teach, the resources you’ve developed over time, and the areas where you feel you can make the greatest impact.
Create high-quality resources: Once you have a good understanding of the market, it’s time to start creating your lesson plans and curriculum resources. Make sure that your materials are high-quality and well-designed, with clear instructions and engaging activities. Consider adding in some interactive elements, such as games or quizzes, to make your materials even more engaging.
Price your resources strategically: Pricing your resources is an important aspect of selling on Teachers Pay Teachers. Consider the time and effort you put into creating your resources, as well as their quality and value. Check the prices of similar resources on the marketplace and use that as a guide.
Promote your resources: Once you’ve created and listed your resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, you need to promote them to potential buyers. Use social media to share your resources with your network and encourage others to share them as well. You can also use email marketing and other digital marketing strategies to get your resources in front of more people.
Update and improve your resources: It’s important to keep your resources up to date and make improvements based on feedback from buyers. Consider creating a feedback loop with your customers to gather feedback and suggestions for improvement. This will help you create better resources that meet the needs of your target audience.
Selling lesson plans and curriculum resources on Teachers Pay Teachers can be a great way to earn extra income while helping other teachers improve their classroom experience. With these tips, you can get started on the right foot and build a successful business on the platform.
If you’re interested in trying your hand at creating resources, I’ve made a simple product template to help you get started.
This month I will explore, in-depth, five possible side hustles for educators. These are tried and true ways that educators can establish themselves as a brand, create content, and make a little extra money on the side. All five of these are possible income streams, and I will feature each one in its own post, along with my own experience creating and monetizing content and how much success I’ve had with each method or platform.
Curriculum Development: Use your expertise as a teacher or writer to create and sell curriculum materials on platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers (now TpT) or Teachers Notebook. I’ve been selling on TpT for five years.
Freelance Writing, Copyediting, pr Proofreading. Write articles or blog posts for websites or publications in your area of expertise. You can find freelance writing opportunities on sites like Fiverr or Upwork. I’ve had great success with Fiverr, although it is a LOT of work.
Create Online Courses: Teach online courses or workshops through platforms like Udemy or Skillshare.
Blogging: It’s still possible to make money blogging! The primary ways people make money blogging are through ads and affilate marking.
YouTube: Although this is a very difficult platform to break into, and making videos is very time-consuming, some creators are able to make a living off of YouTube alone. I think with consistency and persistence this can be a valuable income stream.
I have created content and made money, or attempted to make money, on the following platforms:
TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS (TpT)
FIVERR
UDEMY
WORDPRESS
YOUTUBE
This month I will share my experience with each platform, as well as tips and tricks for how to create an audience and make money, as well as my progress on each platform over the next 30 days.
I wish I did! I have found some really wonderful resources (and recipes!) while reading blogs. This morning I went looking for resources on teaching students to keep a writer’s notebook and found some good information. However, I’ve noticed a disturbing new trend. EVERY teaching and education blog is starting to look the same and is heading in the same direction as cooking blogs: bloated with too many pictures and fancy fonts, packed with ads, slow to load, and tedious to navigate. They have become repetitive with very little content and substance.
I get it. People are trying to appeal to an an alogrithm, an aesthetic, and an audience. But I am not that audience. I don’t care about pinterest-worthy classroom set-ups, or fancy fonts, or cutsy clip art. I want writing, information, and resources. I want honesty. I want help! I think teachers are working to hard to brand themselves like influencers, and it makes it harder and harder to wade through the crap and find quality resources.
In writing this blog (ELAsource), I want to provide useful information, some relevant stories about my classroom experiencs, and easy to find and navigate resources.
What do YOU want in a teaching blog? Please let me know in the comments below! I would love to hear from you. ❤
A SIOP lesson plan is a type of lesson plan that is designed to support the academic and language needs of English language learners (ELLs). The acronym SIOP stands for Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol, and it refers to a set of instructional strategies and techniques that are used to make content more accessible to ELLs.
The SIOP model is supporting of language learning for ALL students and focuses on vocabulary review and literacy-based instructional strategies.
A SIOP lesson plan typically includes the following components:
Pre-lesson preparation: This includes activities such as setting up the classroom, gathering materials, and reviewing the lesson objectives.
Building background knowledge: This includes activities such as providing background information about the topic, making connections to prior knowledge, and activating prior knowledge.
Comprehensible input: This includes activities such as providing clear explanations and examples, using visual aids and graphic organizers, and using gestures and body language to support understanding.
Strategies: This includes activities such as using graphic organizers, making predictions, and asking and answering questions to promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Interaction: This includes activities such as pair and group work, think-pair-share, and other techniques to promote interaction and collaboration among students.
Practice and application: This includes activities such as assigning homework, conducting hands-on activities, and using authentic materials to provide opportunities for students to practice and apply what they have learned.
Review and assessment: This includes activities such as formative and summative assessments to evaluate student understanding and progress.
Overall, the goal of a SIOP lesson plan is to provide a supportive and inclusive learning environment for ELLs and to help them acquire the language and academic skills they need to succeed in school.
I’ve included two forms of the SIOP lesson planning template below, as both an MS Word format and PDF.
ELA Source 
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