Lesson Planning for Karate Instructors - Four Main Components of an Effective

[Pauline Winters]

As a karate instructor, you no doubt understand the importance of
lesson planning. Developing an effective lesson plan is of vital
importance, especially for new instructors. However, even for a highly
experienced instructor it does not hurt to revisit some basic lesson
planning principles. There are several main components that are
critical to the overall lesson content of karate at all levels. These
components are:
' Element, which includes basic training, forms, and partner work;
' Type, which includes quality, quantity, fun, and serious;
' Level, which is beginner, intermediate, and advanced;
' Focus, which includes grading syllabus, analysis and application of
forms, self-defense, target training, and general drills.
Generally, every lesson will include all four of these components. The
parts of each component relate to the actual lesson content. By
combining these components and making slight changes, each lesson will
be interesting yet different while still sticking with the necessary
content required at each rank level.
Let's define each component and its parts.
Element
The element component refers to what kind of content the lesson
includes. Generally, each lesson will use one or more of the three k's
- kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (partner work or sparring.)
Type
The type component deals with how the lesson is delivered. Does the
lesson focus on quality (detailed explanations of basic techniques,
forms, or partner work), quantity (a hard workout using repetition of
technique as the main teaching tool), or fun (a more relaxed
atmosphere than normal, with activities such as target training, games
for the kids, light sparring, or something completely different such
as kata from another style)?
Alternatively, is it a serious lesson-working on etiquette, posture,
correct behavior and habits, traditional philosophy, and history of
karate? Each lesson can incorporate more than one of the four methods
of delivery.
Level
This component refers to the three main levels of students in class or
to the level of content delivered in each class - beginners,
intermediate students, and advanced students. However, lessons, at
times, could still include beginner content for advanced students, to
remind them about the things they should already know. Likewise,
advanced content can be given to beginner students. This gives them a
chance to see what they have to look forward to if they stick with
their training. In a club with a large membership, there may be enough
black belts to warrant a black belt-only class. If so, there could be
a distinction between brown and black belts as to their level of
class. This is for the instructor to decide, depending on the
membership and resources of his or her club.
Focus
This component guides the reason behind the content. When a grading is
coming up in the next couple of weeks, a lesson on the techniques that
will be tested in the grading is a good idea. When students have
learned and memorized the moves to the kata they are studying, it is
time to focus on the application of the kata. Perhaps one of your
students is being bullied at school, and you feel it is time to
revisit some self-defense techniques. Maybe you just want to have a
general lesson that has a bit of something for everyone.
With these four essential components, multiple effective lesson plans
can be created. If you would like to see some additional teaching tips
and strategies, read my FREE Report, "Instructor Mastery: How to
Become a Great Instructor Right from the very First Lesson". You can
download it at http://www.freekarateinformation.com.
Good luck and best wishes to you on your honorable and noble role in
teaching. Feel free to write to me at Pa...@freekarateinformation.com
with any questions you have on your practice or your teaching.