materials. Examples of the training and reference materials  include textbooks, video, compact disks, exams, briefings,  and instructional guides. Another benefit of using a syllabus is that it helps in  development of lesson plans. A well constructed syllabus  already contains much of the essential information that is  required in a lesson plan, including objectives, content, and  completion standards. A lesson plan is an organized outline for a single instructional  period.  [Figure 10-15] It is a necessary guide for the  instructor in that it tells what to do, in what order to do it, and  what procedure to use in teaching the material of a lesson.  Lesson plans should be prepared for each training period  and be developed to show specific knowledge and/or skills  to be taught. Any practical training syllabus must be flexible, and should  be used primarily as a guide. When necessary, the order of  training can and should be altered to suit the progress of  the student and the demands of special circumstances. For  example, previous experience or different rates of learning  often require some alteration or repetition to fit individual  students. The syllabus also should be flexible enough so it  can be adapted to weather variations and scheduling changes  without disrupting the teaching process or completely  suspending training. Effective use of a syllabus requires that it be referred to  throughout the entire course of training. Both the instructor  and the student should have a copy of the approved syllabus.  However, as previously mentioned, a syllabus should not  be adhered to so stringently that it becomes inflexible or  unchangeable. It must be flexible enough to adapt to special  needs of individual students. A mental outline of a lesson is not a lesson plan. A lesson plan  should be put into writing. Another instructor should be able  to take the lesson plan and know what to do in conducting  the same period of instruction. When putting it in writing, the  lesson plan can be analyzed from the standpoint of adequacy  and completeness. Lesson plans serve many purposes, such as: A syllabus lesson may include several other items that add  to or clarify the objective, content, or standards. A lesson  may specify the recommended class time, reference or  study materials, recommended sequence of training, and  study assignment for the next lesson. Both ground and flight  lessons may have explanatory information notes added to  specific lessons.  While a syllabus is designed to provide a road map showing  how to accomplish the overall objective of a course of  training, it may be useful for other purposes. As already  mentioned, it can be used as a checklist to ensure that required  training has successfully been completed. Thus, a syllabus  can be an effective tool for recordkeeping. Enhanced syllabi,  which also are designed for recordkeeping, can be very  beneficial to the independent instructor. A recordkeeping function may be facilitated by boxes or  blank spaces adjacent to the knowledge areas, procedures, or  maneuvers in a flight lesson, much as the syllabus designed  by the Balloon Federation of America does. Most syllabi  introduce each procedure or maneuver in one flight lesson  and review them in subsequent lessons. Some syllabi also  include provisions for grading student performance and  recording both ground and flight training time. Accurate  recordkeeping is necessary to keep both the student and the  instructor informed on the status of training. These records  also serve as a basis for endorsements and recommendations  for knowledge and practical tests.  The quality of planning affects the quality of results.  Successful professionals understand the price of excellence is  hard work and thorough preparation. The effective instructor  realizes that the time and energy spent in planning and  preparing each lesson is well worth the effort in the long  run.  [Figure 10-16] A complete cycle of planning usually includes several  steps. After the objective is determined, the instructor must  research the subject as it is defined by the objective. Once  the research is complete, the instructor must determine the  10-22 Characteristics of a Well-Planned Lesson Lesson Plans How To Use a Training Syllabus •  Promote uniformity of instruction regardless of the  instructor or the date on which the lesson is given. •  Give the inexperienced instructor confidence. •  Serve as a means of relating the lesson to the objectives  of the course of training. •  Provide an outline of the teaching procedure to be  used. •  Aid the instructor in presenting the material in a  suitable sequence for efficient learning. •  Make certain that due consideration is given to each  part of the lesson. •  Assure a wise selection of material and the elimination  of unimportant details.