Granted, it takes more time to prepare than it does to just walk in and "wing it," but it's far more likely that you will have a meaningful lesson, where your students really learn, if you plan in advance. Acting on the spur of the moment can liven up a presentation, but it should only occur during a lesson after it has been completely planned. If you are well organized and have planned adequately, you won't find yourself surprised by extra wasted time at the end of a too-short lesson, or even worse, running out of time altogether. When you think through what you actually want to present, you will be sure to meet your learning objectives. Finally, a good plan can be repeated next year without preparing all over again! A little up-front time spent in lesson planning can really pay off in huge dividends later. Click here to see some of the benefits of lesson planning. How much should I include in a new lesson? What goes into a good lesson plan?