5 Step Planning Process

Planning is just part of what a teacher does to help children thrive in their classrooms.

But…

It is the part that takes the most time outside of the classroom.  A lot of time and thought goes into every weekly lesson plan to insure that the children are scaffolding their learning and that we are differentiating the learning based on all children’s needs.
​
It has taken me years to find the right planning method that works for me and the administrator.  (What works for one administrator might not work for another.)  So learn what they like, I promise it will make your life a lot simpler.
​

My Planning Method

Planning Calendar
The monthly planning calendar is where I start my planning process.  It shows me the big picture for the whole month, which makes my weekly planning process go much smoother.  I like to include themes, events, and letters that naturally go with each theme.   At the bottom of my calendar I list what we will work on for the whole month (color, shape, pattern and numbers).
​

Write Out Your Ideas
Brain Purge and write out all of your ideas before you even think about how they will fit into your plan.
Check your saved Instagram post for those must try ideas. 
​My favorites are
Katy from @prekwolfpack
Kristian from @friendsartlab
​

Here is how you can save Instagram post for future planning purposed

​Lesson Plan Checklist
What standards did you cover last week and what standards do you still need to cover?  Keep a lesson plan check list handy do that you ensure that you are touching bases on all areas that you are required to meet.

Intentional Play Learning Centers
We all know the importance of intentional play in the preschool classroom, when planning your learning centers make sure that you can address a learning objective to each activity so that when administration walks in you can tell them what the learning goal is behind the play based activity.
There is nothing worse than have administration in during a walk through and then make a comment like,  it seems like all your kids do is play.
Just be prepared to respond so that they now what you’re doing!
​

Weekly Lesson Plans
In my weekly lesson plans I like to plan the areas that I know I have to stay on task and keep the engagement flowing.  These areas include my group meetings and small group activities.