The impact of collaborative planning is nothing short of phenomenal. We underestimate the tremendous power teachers have in deciding what kids will learn and how they will learn it. Teachers are making decisions every day and it is up to us to make these choices explicit and data driven. As coaches we guide teachers in making intentional choices.
Autonomy in lesson planning for all teachers only guarantees one thing: That some teachers will have the "freedom" to fail to plan effectively.
To continue to have planning success ensure the following as you coach teams:
- Maintain end goal driven- create objectives that aligns with the end goal assessment ensuring a focus on student needs!
- Provide sufficient guidance- don't ever shy away from assisting teachers in planning. Though autonomy is valuable, planning is a challenging and often counterintuitive skill that requires guidance, especially early on. I liked a reference a read once, imagine if a piano teacher did not teach students how to read music, time notes or switch keys.....the only "freedom" that piano teacher offers is the freedom to fail! There would be no music! Likewise if we give teachers autonomy to plan without guidance we are not assisting our teachers in meeting their potential!
- Planning goes beyond a textbook. Intentional planning involves in-depth conversations about differentiating, questioning techniques, and complex tasks. Simply sharing the objective and the page students will read is not planning....that is sharing resources.
- Keep plans ALIVE!!!! change them, make adjustments, GIVE FEEDBACK!!!!
Here is the bottom line: Planning works when it starts from assessments, not from standards that is the roadmap to rigor! Begin by showing the assessment you want your students to master, then talk about how you want to get there! Think about: what students will need to do, teacher order and prioritization, and ultimately what activities will engage students.
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