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.