Planning for the Upcoming School Year
The upcoming school session is nearly upon us and it is time to get in high preparation gear. Make this school year your most productive yet. This week, we offer tips for planning for the upcoming school year.
This Week's Tips
Implement a Three-Tiered Approach to Planning (Monday)
Multi-level planning insures sequential progression toward state or district mandated objectives. Study the curriculum guide developed by your state or district, and then develop a topic outline for the year. Reduce this topic outline to a two-level outline by plugging in skills and content related to the major topics you intend to cover. Daily lesson plans become the third tier, which can be written at the beginning of or during each major unit of study.
Revamp Classic Units (Tuesday)
Evaluate the effectiveness of the units that have become the mainstay of your curriculum. Update evaluation tools to include authentic assessments and expand student project choices to encompass various learning styles. Reconfigure your methods of presentation to include technology such as PowerPoint presentations or WebQuests.
Plan Field Trips and Special Presentations (Wednesday)
After considering your curriculum for the upcoming school year and studying the school calendar, book special presentations or guest speakers early. If you will be taking a field trip during the school year, reserve busses early and make necessary reservations as early as possible. A little pre-planning during the summer can alleviate the stress of planning special events for your students during the school year.
Create a Class Web Site (Thursday)
Develop a web site for your class during the summer to improve communication once school reconvenes. Include daily or weekly lesson plans along with homework assignments. Encourage students who are absent to visit the website for information concerning the lessons and assignments they missed. This is also a great way to keep parents informed and in touch!
Plan for Substitutes (Friday)
Make a substitute folder early in the year. Include class lists, fire drill rules, seating charts, and a generic plan for the day. Then create a form on the computer for your regular class schedule. On this form you can also include the location of teacher's guides, a list of helpful teachers, procedures from the office, and your discipline rules.
