Issue 113: Nov 15, 2010 Connections Newsletter

Being Prepared to Plan for Units

Carol Brewer
Nov 15, 2010

How does Collaborative Planning benefit you and your students?

Grade level planning time is precious. Take advantage of your time and protect it for planning. When planning collaboratively, an agenda needs to be created and followed to make the best of the available time. You should keep this agenda from one grade level planning time to the next so you will be prepared to plan with the rest of the team. When planning, Student Learning Maps are an essential tool. Prior to the meeting, preview the maps to prepare for the upcoming grade level planning meeting. Once you plan the unit, you will be able to see the end in mind. Everything seems to fall in place with well planned units:

  • Assessments are already created so you have the expectations and can assist students with instruction for student success.

  • A launch that links to prior knowledge and builds background knowledge.

  • Acquisition lessons that teach the stan dards and Extending Thinking lessons that take learning to a higher level of thinking.

  • A culminating project that "brings it all together" for students.


We suggest that you prepare all components of the unit during a set time period. Collaborative planning is the power behind successful lessons. If only one teacher plans for one part or one subject area, then others in the group might not understand the purpose and intent of that lesson. When you each bring your ideas for each part of the unit, then everyone will have the same expertise and expectation for delivering the lessons and activities. When planning collaboratively, be prepared with ideas for what you are going to plan. Planning time runs smoothly when everyone bring their ideas and suggestions and collaborate effectively. The end products from your collaborative planning meetings are Learning Units that can be used from year to year.



How do Learning-Focused Coaches Support and Encourage Collaboration?

Debbie Cargill
Nov 18, 2010

Collaboration is about working together to improve instruction and student learning. You each bring your own knowledge and experience to the table to work with a collaborative team towards a common goal. As a team member, you have a responsibility for sharing ideas, resources, and decision making, and each team member is valued for his/her contributions to the work of the group.

Coaches can model the desired behaviors for effective collaborative teams by sharing ideas, joint planning, and brainstorming with the team. The school-based coach partners with teachers and school leaders to facilitate the effective implementation of exemplary practices to increase student learning and achievement. A goal for coaches is to promote positive change in instruction through collaborative relationships based on trust and mutual respect. Additionally, coaches strive to create an on-going dialogue within the school about exemplary instructional practices which leads to a common language for conversations.

Collaborating to develop units and lesson plans leads to more efficiency in planning. By utilizing the strengths, knowledge, and experience of individuals, the collaborative team has a broader range of ideas and resources available for planning. There is strength in numbers - two heads are better than one when planning exemplary instruction! As teams get better at planning, it takes less time. Collaboration leads to stronger units and lessons. Again, building on each other's knowledge and experience brings more to the process. The coach's role is to help groups learn about and develop high performing teams.

Collaboration is also about relationships. When team members take the time to learn about each other and themselves, teams can become more effective and efficient. What are the different personality and/or learning styles of team members? Where are individuals in terms of stages of adult development? How strong is the team and is it performing effectively? How do individuals and teams deal with change and does it impede forward movement? Building positive relationships leads to stronger teams and consequently better collaborative teams. Coaches are an important asset to teams in the initial forming stage, as well as future growth.