How do you make the most of your planning time?

Carol Brewer
Jan 24, 2011

Grade level planning time is precious. Take advantage of this time and protect it for planning. When planning collaboratively, an agenda needs to be created and followed to make the best of the available planning time. Determine this agenda from one grade level planning time to the next so you will be prepared to plan with the rest of the team. Student Learning Maps are an essential planning tool. If already provided, preview these maps and know what to prepare for the upcoming grade level planning meeting. Once you plan for the unit you can see the end in mind and everything seems to fall in place with well planned units.

Well planned units include:

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

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

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

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

I suggest that you prepare all parts of the unit together. Collaborative planning is the power behind successful lessons. If only one teacher plans for one part or one subject area, then the rest of you on the team might not know the purpose and intent of that lesson. If you each bring your ideas for each part of the unit and plan it all together, then each of you will have the same expertise and expectation for delivering the lessons and activities. Coming to the planning meeting prepared with ideas is the most important thing. Planning time runs smoothly when everyone brings their ideas and suggestions and collaborate effectively. The end product is learning units that can be used from year to year.