Planning Ahead
This past week I was reminded of the importance of planning ahead in your classes. Not only for your own benefit but also if other teachers or staff members are involved. While you may be able to pick up the slack, so to speak, if your planning falls behind and only you are involved when there are other individuals needed for the planning this does not work out so well.
When planning ahead you need to have your plans laid out far enough in advance so that you can have everything you need set aside for the activity/class that you are preparing for. By having these activities planned out far in advance you are able to avoid possible issues down the road if, for example, the facility you wanted to use was already in use by another teacher for their class. This advanced planning is also necessary if you are planning to have a lesson that requires resources in a different classroom.
One slight issue that I can see with planning so far in advance is that if your school has many snow days then it might be difficult to keep to the predetermined schedule. However, in the grand scheme of things this problem is fairly small in comparison to the benefits of it.
When you plan ahead for lessons or activities that involve other teachers or staff how much time do you usually try to give as a minimum? I have been told about three to four weeks at least should be the minimum, this would allow for enough time dor any necessary arrangements to be made. Additionally, what is the longest time you have been able to plan things in advance? Have you ever been able to plan things out effectively for more than a month in advance?
When planning ahead you need to have your plans laid out far enough in advance so that you can have everything you need set aside for the activity/class that you are preparing for. By having these activities planned out far in advance you are able to avoid possible issues down the road if, for example, the facility you wanted to use was already in use by another teacher for their class. This advanced planning is also necessary if you are planning to have a lesson that requires resources in a different classroom.
One slight issue that I can see with planning so far in advance is that if your school has many snow days then it might be difficult to keep to the predetermined schedule. However, in the grand scheme of things this problem is fairly small in comparison to the benefits of it.
When you plan ahead for lessons or activities that involve other teachers or staff how much time do you usually try to give as a minimum? I have been told about three to four weeks at least should be the minimum, this would allow for enough time dor any necessary arrangements to be made. Additionally, what is the longest time you have been able to plan things in advance? Have you ever been able to plan things out effectively for more than a month in advance?
Hi Abbie,
ReplyDeleteI really like that you are focusing on the importance of planning. When you are creating learning activities that involve collaboration or shared space, I would suggest talking to other who will be involved at least a month in advance, if possible. This allows plenty of time for alternative room arrangements to be made, supplies to be order, and materials to be acquired.
Usually activities that involve these type of arrangements are large scale projects that you can plan pretty far in advance. I would print a blank calendar for each month and write in the units for each class from the get go. From there, I would be able to write in specific activities and projects on the dates when they would be conducted. Think of it like building a pyramid: you start big with the basics, such as units, and then work your way up with smaller components until you have things laid out.
Hope this helps!