📘 TLC Guide Available
This topic includes a full-length TLC Guide for deeper exploration.
► What Might You Do as a Teaching Assistant at UC Santa Cruz?
► Planning Discussion Sections as a TA
Why Lesson Planning Matters
Teaching Assistants (TAs) can support student learning by designing and implementing engaged lesson plans that make space for practice, connection, and feedback. Effective lesson plans:
- Use active learning strategies that invite students to apply and practice key skills.
- Reinforce the skills students need to complete assessments and achieve course learning goals.
- Help students transfer their learning to future courses and beyond.
- Incorporate backward design to ensure alignment between outcomes, activities, and assessments.
- Build relationships and trust by creating an inclusive and supportive classroom environment.
- Provide structured and varied opportunities for students to develop and practice skills.
- Offer timely feedback and guidance on student learning.
These resources can help TAs create and adapt lesson plans that foster student engagement and success.
TLC Guides for Lesson Planning as a TA
- What Might You Do as a Teaching Assistant at UC Santa Cruz?
- Planning Discussion Sections as a TA
- Guiding Questions for Lesson Planning + Lesson Planning Template
- Tips for Fostering Belonging as a TA
- Active Learning Guide
- Class Planning: Adapted Inquiry Cycle
- Tips for Designing Accessible & Effective Group Work
See Also
Student Input & Feedback Surveys
Teaching as an Ethical Practice: A Guide for Teaching Assistants (TAs) (“TA Ethics”): Required training for new TAs
Additional Resources
Description of Duties for Academic Student Employees (ASEs)
UAW 4811 Contract