Planning
TEACHING PRINCIPLES
The underlying direction and philosophy for teaching and learning in RVS.
YEAR
The school Year Plan Template has been shared on rvschools.ab.ca. Pleasese follow the directions on the template.
Duty of Care checklist. Will the steps you have taken stand up in court if there is an accident?
Safety Guidelines for Physical Activity in Alberta Schools (2013): Check before your class engages in activities.
Instructional Time for each subject. Discover the amount of time needed for each subject each week.
Accommodation Checklist (whole class): also filed in "Learning Support Resources"
Substitute Teacher Folder: to be completed and stored in the office
UNIT
Unit plans must include: a) the big ideas and/or essential questions being addressed; b) a listing of general and specific outcomes (from the program of study) that will be learned; c) the sequence of instruction with a list of activities; c) accommodations/modifications required; d) Assessment plan (triangulated) for both curricular outcomes and 21C competencies; and e) a list of resources required.
Unit plans must be posted on Google Docs and shared with administration and collegues / support staff (to facilitate integration of subjects). Unit plans need not be submitted with long range plans, but must be completed prior to starting the unit.
Using one of the templates linked below, while not mandatory, will ensure all required components are included.
Unit Planning Template adapted from Prince of Peace School: a thorough template that includes explanations and directions for each stage of planning.
Indus Understanding By Design template: a simplified version of the classic UBD template, shared on Google docs.
Instructional Design Framework: A guided experience for developing Inquiry or Project Based Learning experiences
Instructional Design Guiding Questions - A practical collection of questions and steps to help keep your planning focussed on that which is most important.
Instructional Design Examples: RVS' Repository of Inquiry Units: A collection of units designed following the RVS Instructional Design mod
Lesson Plans
Lesson plans are best integrated into unit plans as it will provide the entire educational package for future years. This is accomplished by fleshing out the section on Sequence of Instruction to include important details about lessons. An alternative is to create the lesson plan as part of the Day Plan (see below).
Lesson plans offer a complete outline of how class time is to be spent. This includes: a) outcomes from the program of study; b) 21st century competencies being developed c) lesson introduction (accessing prior knowledge); d) educational activites, including instructions; e) accommodations or modifications required; f)lists of materials needed; g) assessment plan (formative) including type and amount of feedback; h) assessment plan (summative) including general outcome and 21st Century competency being addressed; and h) plan for transitions between activities and to next class.
Elements of lesson plans that become routines need not be explained every day, but should be listed in the plan (including them in a lesson template is a good idea)
Day Plans
Day plans are simply a record of when and how each lesson is taught. These are critical not only for organizational reasons, but also in any cases that arise where questions are raised regarding whether or not a given topic was instructed.
Attaching a list of absences or lates, notes from parents, etc. on the relevant page of the day plan is also a very good idea.
Creating a template based on your class schedule, then storing it in a binder is an easy and effective to plan your days. Below are templates for a full week on one sheet of 11 x 17 paper and for each day of the week on separate, letter sized, sheets.
Week Plan - 11 x 17 - Div 1 & 2
Week Plan - 11 x 17 - Div 3
Day Plans - 5 sheets letter - Div 1 & 2
Day Plans - 5 sheets letter - Div 3
RESOURCES
21C Competencies Assessement Plan Template: Simple assessment plan for the outset of each term. Downloadable zipped folder.
Programs of Study in MS Word: easier to cut and paste into unit and day plans
Alberta Regional Consorita website: Select your subject and level then get ready for a flood of amazing resources (including classroom ready resources built on the Alberta Programmes of Study)
Anticipation Guide Template: an excellent tool to activate prior knowledge and create curiosity.
ELA Outcomes in Checklist form: for use in ensuring you have covered all outcomes (must log into rvschools.ab.ca to view)
21st Century Learner Competencies: from the RVS website
Teaching Comprehension Strategies: a fantastic 10 page summary of teaching reading comprehension (from the good people in New South Wales)
Instructional Strategies: Some great ideas for teaching.
Technology in Support of ULEs in RVS: A great PDF that outlines what platforms are supported, and what each does.
How the Language Really Works: The Fundamentals of Critical Reading and Effective Writing
Academic Word List - fantastic vocabulary tool with a collection of words related to schooling
Personal Achievement Strategy - Student goal-setting sheet intended for use as part of Internal Locus of Control Initiative
Portland Public Schools - tons of great resources for all subjects. ELA includes 6+ Traits of Writing Materials
Safety Guidelines for Physical Activity in Alberta Schools (2013): Check before your class engages in activities.
Strategies: A collection of many great teaching ideas.
Field Trip Checklist: A detailed checklist to help ensure everything is addressed ahead of time.
Copyright Decision Tool: determine whether you can use a given resource.
Black Gold School Division: An excellent source of everything for the Alberta curriculum and teaching in general.
