Collaborative Planning Successes

Debbie Cargill
Nov 30, 2009

"Joint work - the strongest form of collegial practice implies collective action, stronger interdependence, shared responsibility, and a greater readiness to participate in reflective inquiry..." (Fallon & Barnett, 2009). The authors of this recent study looked at school organizational restructuring into a collaborative structure that fosters collegial relationships. The United States Department of Education (2003) identified five instructional practices critical to raising achievement and reducing the achievement gap. One of those practices - school-wide instructional planning model based on learning - emphasizes the use of collaborative planning on common unit and lesson plans.

In an effort to sustain progress toward their goal of increasing student achievement, Principal Julia Allen of Laurel Avenue Elementary School in Polk County, Florida, decided that one of their focuses this year would be on collaborative planning. Laurel Avenue made AYP last year! The momentum is there. To keep moving forward and maintain that momentum, Ms. Allen has organized the school day to provide collaborative planning time for all grade levels and encouraged teachers to use that time to plan acquisition lessons in math. All grade levels are working towards being effective and efficient teams.

On a recent visit to the school, I met with Kindergarten teachers to reflect on this practice and to answer planning questions. As a group, this team has made significant progress with collaborative planning. I asked them what was working for them and why they thought they were being successful. Some of their comments included the following:

  • We started out this year planning separately, but were encouraged to work together. We have found that we work well together. We've made this work for us. It took some getting used to, but it gets easier the more we do.
  • When we put our heads together to plan for one subject at a time, it makes it easier. We have stronger lessons.
  • We use think aloud a lot.
  • We respect each other.
  • It's a safe environment.
  • We're not struggling by ourselves
  • We can be consistent across classes.
  • Planning together keeps us focused.
  • After delivering a lesson, we de-brief - how did it go? What will we change?

Together we can! Working together to plan lessons can only make teams stronger, more efficient, and more effective.

See Transforming Standards into Learning for information on collaborative planning.