Collaborative Lesson Planning at UP Academy

Summary

The transcript highlights the collaborative planning process at a school, where teachers work together to analyze data, develop lessons, and refine teaching strategies. The focus is on teamwork and continuous improvement, with teachers regularly meeting to discuss lesson plans, review student performance, and support each other’s professional growth. The planning block structure fosters a culture of shared responsibility, accountability, and professional development, with an emphasis on creating actionable materials and fostering leadership among teachers. The process enables teachers to become more effective and responsive to student needs.

Takeaways

• 😀 Collaboration is at the core of the teaching process, with all sixth grade English teachers working together to analyze data, review lessons, and refine their instructional approach.
• 😀 Teachers dedicate time each week for collaborative planning, ensuring they align their instruction across all students and departments.
• 😀 The team reviews lessons in depth, including data from exit tickets, to ensure students understand the material and to adjust teaching methods accordingly.
• 😀 The planning blocks are structured to allow for long-term and short-term planning, ensuring a thorough review of both upcoming and completed lessons.
• 😀 During planning meetings, the team also discusses differentiation and how to support individual students' needs, including students with special education or language learning needs.
• 😀 The use of ‘exploding words’ in lessons helps students understand figurative language and nuances in text, enhancing their analytical skills.
• 😀 Teachers engage in a cycle of co-planning and co-facilitating to improve lesson effectiveness, allowing for continuous professional development.
• 😀 Lesson materials and exit tickets are reviewed regularly to ensure they align with the common core standards and meet student needs.
• 😀 Feedback is an essential component of the planning process, with colleagues providing support and suggestions to improve each other's teaching methods.
• 😀 The goal of the planning blocks is to create actionable materials and lesson plans, not just to discuss teaching strategies, ensuring tangible outcomes from the meeting.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the planning blocks in the school team meetings?

The purpose of planning blocks is to provide teachers and support staff with dedicated time to collaborate, review materials, analyze student data, and refine lessons. This ensures alignment across the department and allows for better student support.

How do teachers collaborate during the planning blocks?

Teachers collaborate by meeting with co-teachers, special education staff, and English language learner (ELL) educators to discuss lesson plans, review student data, and ensure that all students are receiving consistent and effective instruction.

What role do exit tickets play in the team meetings?

Exit tickets are used to analyze student performance. Teachers review these tickets to identify where students are struggling or succeeding, which informs decisions on how to adjust future lessons and interventions.

How does the team ensure lessons are differentiated to meet the needs of all students?

During planning meetings, support staff such as special education teachers and ELL educators contribute to differentiation plans. These plans identify how to provide targeted support for students with different needs, ensuring all students can access the lesson content.

Why is it important for teachers to have a high-level long-term plan during the planning blocks?

Having a long-term plan allows teachers to see the broader scope of the curriculum, ensuring that each lesson fits into the larger unit and that there is alignment across the department in terms of goals and content.

What is the significance of 'exploding words' in the context of teaching?

'Exploding words' refers to analyzing words for their connotations and meanings. This process helps students understand the deeper layers of language and improves their ability to interpret figurative language and its impact on the overall theme of a text.

How do the team meetings help in developing teachers professionally?

The team meetings provide an opportunity for teachers to receive feedback from colleagues and facilitators. Teachers can learn from one another, improve their teaching practices, and develop leadership skills as they facilitate discussions and contribute to lesson planning.

What challenge do teachers face when collaborating on lesson plans and how is it addressed?

One challenge is balancing multiple perspectives to create cohesive lessons. This is addressed by having structured planning blocks with a clear focus, where facilitators guide the discussion to ensure actionable outcomes and clear next steps.

How does the team use data analysis to inform lesson planning?

The team reviews student data, especially exit tickets, to identify patterns in student performance. This data helps the team pinpoint areas where students may need additional support, and allows them to create targeted interventions for struggling students.

Why is the facilitation of team meetings crucial for effective planning?

Facilitation is crucial because it ensures that meetings are productive and focused. A facilitator helps guide discussions, keeps the team on track, and ensures that the meetings result in tangible outcomes such as updated lesson plans or action items.