10 Tips for an Amazing Demo Lesson

If you have a demo lesson coming up as part of your teaching interview, here are 10 tips for an amazing demo lesson! You’ll be sure to nail that interview if you keep these notes in mind.

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10 Tips for an Amazing Demo Lesson

When you first are asked to provide a demo lesson, it can feel a bit overwhelming. Here are ten tips to keep in mind as you’re planning and preparing to teach a demo lesson as part of your teaching interview:

1. Prior to your interview, prepare a lesson idea that doesn’t rely on materials or technology in case of on-the-spot teaching requests.
2. Ask about what students have mastered, what they’re working on, and any challenges they may be having.
3. Inquire about students with IEPs or 504 plans to tailor accommodations.
4. Align your lesson with district initiatives if possible.
5. Double-check district permissions for technology use and plan backups.
6. Proofread thoroughly to avoid typos in presentations or handouts.
7. Create an interactive lesson to engage students and incorporate a variety of activities (e.g., individual, partner, whole-class, or movement-based).
8. Practice the lesson beforehand, preferably one you’ve taught before, to avoid first-time hiccups.
9. Introduce yourself and display your name visibly.
10. Be flexible: have a fast-finisher activity ready to fill extra time or skip sections if necessary.

Plan Ahead

When walking into an interview, be prepared! Sometimes they ask you to return for a demo lesson, but it’s just as likely that they’ll ask you to do a demonstration on the spot. That can cause your mind to go blank, but if you’ve planned ahead you’ll be set. Make sure to prepare a lesson that doesn’t rely on a lot of materials or technology, just in case!

Spend Time Preparing

If a school asks you to return for a demo lesson, spend some time in preparation. Here are a few steps and things to consider:

• ask about the students you’ll be working with, their levels, and the objective for the lesson
• inquire about IEPs or 504s, but understand that they may not provide that information due to student confidentiality
• research district initiatives and do your best to plan a lesson that demonstrates how you can be an asset to those goals
• check on tech access for the lesson, and bring back ups in case it doesn’t go according to plan
• proofread everything, ask a friend or family member to double-check for you
• plan an interactive and engaging lesson that shows a variety of activities: individual, pair, small group, whole class, movement based, technology – show off your stuff!
• be sure to practice the lesson beforehand to catch any issues

Teach!

When it’s time for your lesson, make sure you bring all of the materials you need, as well as your backup plans for any tech snafus. A few tips for while you’re teaching your demo lesson include:

• introduce yourself & display your name visibly
• have a way for students to show their names – make name tag tents, or bring stickers for them
• be flexible: have a fast finisher ready for any extra time, or be able to remove components of your lesson plan if time runs short

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Tips for an Amazing Demo Lesson

If you want more help preparing for your teaching interview, make sure you check out my series here for your teacher interview prep!

• Prep for your Teaching Interview
• Questions You Should Ask at your Teaching Interview
• Red Flags in an Interview
• Demo Lesson Tips and Ideas for Teacher Interviews