By TeacherPaddy · Last updated
What weekly planning means
Weekly planning is deciding, before the week starts, exactly what each lesson of a subject will teach and how. In Ghana's basic schools this is usually written as a Weekly Learner Plan (often called lesson notes): one plan per subject per week, with every lesson set out in phases. It takes the week's content from your scheme and turns it into activities, resources and assessment.
1. Start from your scheme
Look up the week in your Scheme of Learning. It tells you the strand, sub-strand and indicators for the week. If last week's lessons did not finish, decide now whether to carry something over.
2. Choose what to teach
Pick the indicators you will actually cover this week. One or two indicators taught well is better than four rushed. Write down what learners should be able to do by the end of the week; this becomes your performance indicator.
3. Fit it to your timetable
Count the lessons the subject has this week on your timetable, and check for holidays or school events. Plan exactly that many lessons, so the plan matches the days you will teach.
4. Write clear objectives
For each lesson, write what learners will be able to do, using verbs you can see or hear: explain, compare, measure, write, draw. Avoid "understand" on its own; you cannot check it.
5. Plan the activities
Many plans use three phases for every lesson:
- Starter: a few minutes to recall earlier learning and get learners thinking.
- Main: the new learning, with learners doing the work in pairs, groups or alone.
- Reflection: learners say what they learnt and what was difficult.
Include something for learners who finish early and support for those who struggle.
6. List your resources
Name the teaching and learning materials you will use, and prefer what is available in your school and community: bottle tops, sticks, paper strips, local objects. Gather them before the week begins.
7. Build in assessment
Decide how you will check learning during the week, not only at the end: questions, a short written task, an exit task or an exercise. Note who needs more help.
8. Review and refine
After each lesson, write one line about what worked and what did not. Use it to adjust the next lessons and next week's plan. Over a term, these notes make your plans better.
How TeacherPaddy fits in
In TeacherPaddy you choose the week, the subjects and the indicators. TeacherPaddy drafts every lesson for the days each subject is on your timetable, in three phases, with resources and assessment, and checks the plan before saving it. You then edit anything you want and download it as a PDF. See the sample Weekly Learner Plan for an example, and pricing for what it costs.