Topic Based Planning

[Guest justinece]

Hi

 

Im about to begin my 8 week teaching block placement after Easter. I have the class MTPs but due to a bad experience I had on my last placement I seem to have a mental block surrounding planning. I would be grateful for any advice anyone can give me with regards to medium term plans, weekly plans and individual lesson plans.

Think my biggest problem is getting going but I am really struggling.

 

I look forward to hearing from all you experts xxx

[Guest]

Hi justinece

 

An exciting time but also nerve wracking until you get in there!

 

What does it have in the MTP? Are they expecting you to foloow a given theme? If not have you had a chance to go in and see the children yet?

 

The first thing I would do is get the routines into your head so for example how does each day pan out? When is Child Initiated time, how do they work the key person role if at all, how good is the TA etc?

 

Then you will need to know how far the children have gone in the phonics and from there you will know what to plan for this daily session.

 

If they have a theme then how can you bring in a stimulus for this theme? Let us know and we will come up wth loads of ideas on this site.

[Guest]

Hi justinece

 

Good advice from Emilia. Firstly are you going into year R?

 

The most important thing to get your head around is the routines as you will need to keep that as close to what they are currently accustomed to as you can. In particular take note of:

 

- how they are registered

- how and when they tidy up

- how they come in in the morning and how they get ready for home

- if there are specific things they do at different times of the day

- how the teacher manages their behaviour

- how do the teacher and TA work together - communication

- What balance is there of CI time, whole class teaching and small group teaching/adult initiated activities

 

I'm sure there are other things but after a week off school my brains gone a bit.

 

As far as the planning is concerned, have you been asked to do something in particular?

 

I would really recommend you being honest with the mentor/teacher - they are there to help you and the earlier they are aware of any problems you are having the better. It is also showing that you are being professional and evaluating your practice by admitting your area for development. Another question similar to Emilia that comes to mind is are the MTPs linked to a particular topic or do they just indicate what learning needs to be covered?

 

I and many others would love to help you

[Guest justinece]

Thank you for your replies.

 

Yes I am going into the Reception class of a 3 form entry school.

 

I have a copy of the class timetable for the week and have been in for 2 visit days so am familiar with the daily routine. I have to hand in my plans on the Monday back so am also able to use that day as an observation day.

 

The topic/theme is the senses and in numeracy it is money. I have also been given the MTPs but think this is what has added to my complete mind block as I have been given the plas...yet have to adapt it to produce my own.

 

Ive got lists of the children's abilities etc so once I start actually planning I should be able to differentiate using those.

 

It is so nerve wracking - especially after my last placement being so horrible that it led to me being signed off with stress and scarlet fever! Im trying so hard to put that behind me. I was told constantly I was not good enough, but am determined not to let it become a self fulfilling prophecy.

 

I look forward to your replies x

Edited April 10, 2009 by justinece

[Upsy Daisy]

Crikey! If that's how they treated an adult I'm glad my kids don't go there.

 

Don't ever let anyone tell you you are not good enough.

 

You have got this far and that is a credit to you.

 

You obviously care about what you are doing - keep it up.

 

I would put a smiley face on but I don't know how to do it!

[Guest justinece]

Thank you AlisonP

 

I know I have to just put that last one behind me now and be more positive. I am trying but it is not easy.

 

Im sure it will get easier to plan once I get started, its just getting going that is the problem, lol

[Guest]

The topic/theme is the senses and in numeracy it is money. I have also been given the MTPs but think this is what has added to my complete mind block as I have been given the plas...yet have to adapt it to produce my own.

 

Ive got lists of the children's abilities etc so once I start actually planning I should be able to differentiate using those.

 

It is so nerve wracking - especially after my last placement being so horrible that it led to me being signed off with stress and scarlet fever! Im trying so hard to put that behind me. I was told constantly I was not good enough, but am determined not to let it become a self fulfilling prophecy.

 

I look forward to your replies x

Obviously I do not know the school but I can understand why you are finding it hard to get started - the topic/theme is not exactly inspiring. I have had a few ideas though - take what you want from them.

 

Role play area can be a fruit and veg shop / greengrocers - this obviously links in to money and I have some ideas of how it can link to senses too.

 

Senses activities

- Fruit/veg tasting

- Making papier mache fruit/veg for shop - how does papier mache feel - could make fruit/veg in other ways too

- Listening game

- Smelling pots

- Fruit/veg poster for shop - children choose one item - decide on price - think on describing words based on senses - taste, colour etc... (did that in Reception myself and worked really well)

 

By linking the role play and topic it makes everything fit together really well - so much of your maths can be done linked to the role play area even if t isn't done in the role play area. There are of course some senses things that may not fit in with fruit and veg and that fine but when you look at the curriculum areas try to consider how they link together. I will attach our activity planner as that really helps us at the beginning of each term.

 

Term_2a___Teddy_Bears_reception_activity_planner.doc Term_2b___Africa___easter_reception_activity_planner.doc

The Term 2b one is not completed as we left the last few weeks blank and added things on by hand and it is still to be updated

 

I hope these give you an idea of how we mesh things together. If you have any questions - just ask.

 

Don't let anyone tell you your not good enough - you can do anything you put your mind to - I truly believe that. Before I was at Uni I did some work experience in a year 2 class, the teacher told me she thought I would be a good teacher but better suited to KS2 so when I went to uni that's where I started, a year later I changed back to KS1 and absolutely love it. It just shows that some comment from someone who's opinion you respect can have a real impact but they don't know the real you - you know what you can do - believe in yourself - you've done the right thing by asking people for help on here.

[Guest]

Hi everyone!

 

Well I just wanted to repeat what everyone's said on here already! There's been some really good advice that I could have done with during my training. As an NQT my training is still at the forefront of my mind and I can remember that feeling of floundering around just before a new placement, not quite sure how to get started and tackle the planning. I also think that it is true that someones opinion can have a massive impact on how you think about your own ability as a teacher - I had some pretty confidence shaking comments in my 2nd year placement that nearly broke me but I carried on. I just wanted to wish you lots of luck and keep us informed how its all going!

 

Also wanted to say I think the reception activity planners from SP61HJ are a reallty good format for med term plans. When I started my job in september I made the mistake of trying to plan in the same way as the foundation leader who just happened to be my mentor. It was a brilliant way to plan but it wasn't MY brilliant way of planning. After 3 half terms I decided to bite the bullet and do my own way. I feel much better about it. What I guess I'm trying to say is you know what feels right in your own planning and the simple ways are often the best. I find that anyway and my TA appreciates how I now plan.

 

In terms of sensory activities how about going down the messy route (im a creative fan lol) and getting stuck into different textures using the water tray e.g. exploring different materials and if you've got a tuff spot this will be invaluable. Try the good old cornflour with different colours, porridge both dry and wet, custard, bark, sawdust, gravel etc., all things that they can feel, smell and spark off their thoughts and vocab. Could you grow little pots of herbs with the children? They could design their own sensory garden. Finger painting and hand/feet printing are always a good one for exploring how paint feels and if you want it more sensory you can add sand, sawdust etc to make textured pictures and collage onto these using different fabrics/materials to make a 'feely' picture. Hope that helps i was just thinking as I typed so sorry if it's a bit jumbled up!!

 

Good luck

 

xxxxxxxx

[Guest]

Great sensory ideas

[Guest justinece]

Thank you all. There are some really inspiring ideas on there. Im hoping to be able to seriously get down to my planning on Monday so will be using these ideas. Really like the idea of growing own herbs etc and making a sensory garden. I might email the class teacher and see if I could do that as I know there is a bit of garden area outside the classroom that doesnt appear to be used for anything.

[Guest justinece]

Ok...still struggling!

 

Right...I have the teachers MTP in front of me (which I am supposed to adapt)

 

I also have her weekly plan for CLL.

 

Please could someone tell me in what order I am supposed to plan. Do I do my individual lesson plans, then put them on a weekly and then make sure they fit into the MTP? Or what? I feel so stupid every time I pick this up to try and do it. Sorry to be a pain, but maybe Im just not cut out for this if I cant do something as simple as planning.

 

Please help me

[Guest]

Please do not panic - planning is harder than the teaching - honest!!!!

 

It's hard to know what you need to do without seeing the documents in question.

 

Does the MTP cover all the areas?

Does it give activities or just the objectives?

Is the CLL weekly plan blank or is it already filled in?

 

Personally I would start by thinking about the topic and brainstorm the different things I would like to do then look at how these would fit into all the different areas. However I would also need to keep in mind what objectives are being expected to be covered. I do sympathise with you as it is so hard to take on board someone elses planning especially when they are not there to explain things. Thinking back to when I was training (and things haven't changed drastically) I was told that I could do whatever activities I wanted as long as they covered the same objectives.

 

As experienced teachers we look at our activity planner first (I posted it yesterday) fill in bits for each area, ensuring more focussed teaching activities are in PSRN and CLL. We then link the objectives to the planner and this is on our MTP.

We then do our timetable for the next week, this helps us to ensure that we are not trying to cram too much in. We then use our MTP to put down the appropriate ELGs/objectives for each area. I don't know if this is the right way but it work sfor us. We obviously don't have to do lesson plans but I think these are the last thing that need to be done personally.

 

I hope this is of some help

[MrsL]

I don't use medium term planning anymore, I only do short term planning, but when I did use to, I would look at the medium term plan to see what sort of activity/theme/objectives are down for that week. Then I would map out a basic weekly plan, outlining what is happening when, and then write individual plans according to what was on the weekly. As I understood it, (although you can obviously do it however works for you) you start with the largest time scale (medium plan) and work down to smallest (individual lesson plan).

For example, if this week you have got 'money' on your medium term plan, then on your weekly you plan out roughly what activities you want to do and on what day. Then write a lesson plan for each of those activities.

Good luck x

[Guest justinece]

Personally I would start by thinking about the topic and brainstorm the different things I would like to do then look at how these would fit into all the different areas. However I would also need to keep in mind what objectives are being expected to be covered. I do sympathise with you as it is so hard to take on board someone elses planning especially when they are not there to explain things. Thinking back to when I was training (and things haven't changed drastically) I was told that I could do whatever activities I wanted as long as they covered the same objectives.

 

Yes, I have been told that I can do whatever activities I want as long as the objectives are covered. I guess I just have so many ideas I would like to do, but find it hard as, although I have copies of the achievement records, I do not know the childrens abilities as such.

 

Blimey...Im finding this so hard! Does everyone find this difficult or is it just me??

 

Ive attached what I have done so far. The MTP is the one I was given and I have adapted it and put some of my own ideas on instead. Constructive criticism welcomed :-)

KUW_23rd_April.doc

MyMedTermPlanSenses.doc

PSRN_21stApril.doc

CD_22ndApril.doc

[Susan]

Justine, those are more than ok plans in my opinion!

Now make sure you take some time for yourself before term begins or you will be exhausted and unable to get through this anyway.

 

However, some questions---why on your MT have you referred to 3 senses--touch, taste, smell and yet you have also mentioned braille ( sight related ) and listening games (hearing)?

You could do a nice activity observation trail where you have taken photos of things around the school or classroom from unusual angles or parts of, that the children could identify. You have your music and listening games listed already!

 

Also on your MT plan, you mention God--is that from your teacher's plan as I think that is quite difficult for little children? However, RE is more KuW and I would put that within that. Think also about how ICT is part of KuW and yet can support other curricula areas as that could be relevant in your planning.

 

You also, in my opinion but its very picky, need to look at your title. The Senses is the topic and your format is your topic web that will cover all areas of learning. Remember that you do not have to make tenuous links to your topic.

 

In your PRSN lesson plan you have a very simple learning objective re recognising coins. Your extension is that children will add up. Adding up is not part of that objective. Children find money very difficult and you may find that children who are quite capable are thrown off kilter here.

 

TA role is very focussed, is that how the teacher works? What will the children be doing who are not working with you or the TA? Do you need to document that anywhere?

 

Hope that helps a bit. I think you need to run with these plans now and see how you go. Dont forget to have fun!

Good luck.

[Guest]

Yes, I have been told that I can do whatever activities I want as long as the objectives are covered. I guess I just have so many ideas I would like to do, but find it hard as, although I have copies of the achievement records, I do not know the childrens abilities as such.

 

Blimey...Im finding this so hard! Does everyone find this difficult or is it just me??

 

Ive attached what I have done so far. The MTP is the one I was given and I have adapted it and put some of my own ideas on instead. Constructive criticism welcomed :-)

 

Hi justinece

 

The planning looks likes it's coming together - I hope you are starting to feel more confident

 

I have couple of thoughts linked to the MTP (the ideas you've had so far are great though) - I'm coming from a 'playing the planning game' point of view - I'm not usually this anal!!!! (Apologies if I sound patronising at any point!!!)

 

CLL

There are lots of discussion ideas - make sure that there are reading and writing opportunities included and that they are explicit. Also there doesn't seem to be any phonics included on the plan - as I'm sure you're aware, this is a crucial part of CLL.

 

PSRN

Is it the school that run a 'numeracy hour'? We don't do a numeracy hour i year R but that is up to the individual school and you do have to follow what is being done. As far as 'money' is concerned I would focus on the recognition of the coins up to 20p as is said, I would also do ordering (children often thing that larger coins in size are worth the most), another important step is ensuring children understanding that a 2p coin is the same as 2x1p coins and a 5p coin is the same as 5x1p coins etc... This helps give them a fundamental understanding. It is hard to do anything else until that is secure. I would be surprised if any of them except for the more able would cope with change from 10p - you may want to approach it more from a you have ten 1p coins, you spend 6p, how much have you got left. Having worked in year 2, change is a really hard concept for them. I also wouldn't get hung up on other words for money, for children this will just come naturally from home anyway. (Sorry am Maths Manager and a Maths specialist so it's a bit of a passion of mine)

 

As far as the other areas are concerned there's nothing that really sticks out but one thought I did have was that most of your ideas are obviously teacher led activities, how about including how the different areas could be enhanced. What could you put in the water/sand? etc...

 

With regards to your individual lesson plan for PSRN, make sure you have a context for your activity with the large purse. A shopping activity is the obvious choice.

 

Anyway they are my thoughts for the moment - i'll let you know if anything else comes to mind. I hope what I've said is helpful.

 

Good luck

[mundia]

Hi there Justine. Great advice from Susan and SP61HJ, it looks like its all getting there. My only comment would be as you get more confident, to really think about the differentiation rather than saying by support. With the money task you less able children may only get as far as identifying 1p 2p and 5p whereas you more able children may be able to recognise and order up to 50p and my be beginning to see how you can make 3p. Likewise in your KUW lesson, some chidlren will need more suport than others with the vocabulary (eg have you EAL or SEN children?).

 

I terms of is it hard then YES it is hard and it is hard for most people when they start out. Dont be so hard on yourself, you are still learning, and your school/mentor should acknowledge that. Thnk back to a skill you have learned well (eg can you drive or speak another language or knit?). Remember what it was like in the beginning and how naturally it comes to you now? Itis the same with teaching. Some things comne easy to some people, some things take longer and are harder. Paperwork is the hardest aspect of teaching, well it was for me anyway.

 

And I agree with Susan, try to have some 'you' time between now and next week so you dont burn out in the first week.