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Partner Planning
posted by: Jill | March 17, 2011, 01:41 PM   


Have you ever tried lesson planning with a teacher who is teaching the same or similar classes with you? For some teachers it works, for others it is torture. Yet certainly it's worth a try in order to identify your best practices as a teacher, whether or not partner planning becomes an often-used instrument on your educator toolbelt.


I turn to Ms. Smith, an Arizona educator and former California colleague. She had a very successful experience in partner planning and I asked a few questions about her experience. The questions are not all-inclusive, but they are certainly informative if you're considering partner planning.

1. How is planning with a partner beneficial?
- It takes less time (two minds are always better than one).
-There are better ideas.
-It helps you to stay on task and stick to the standard.
-You help one another differentiate lessons to fit all learners.
-Collaboration increases.
-You motivate each other to keep going (moral support).
-It allows both [classes to be on the same page].

2. From your experience what could have improved?
-Incorporation of other content areas (math, history, science) into lesson planning.
-Continuing to work together the next year.
-Working with other grade levels in same content area.
-Reteaching ideas for small group.
-Looking at data to see the effectiveness of planning with a partner.

3. Do you think teachers should be required to work in teams?
-Yes, on certain tasks that will benefit students as a whole. But I truly believe that middle school teachers will either enjoy working and sharing ideas with their fellow teacher(s) or not.

I think there should be a dialogue to share ideas of what is working and ways to improve what is not working. What worked best [in my experience] was our genuine working relationship and respect for each other as educators. [There were] similar teaching styles and positive optimism for our students. If another teacher lacks those qualities, then working on a team because it is required may not be a simple task.

4. Did planning with a partner increase your efficiency?
Yes! It motivated me to go out and teach. I enjoyed the ideas we came up with during planning and I always felt more prepared and ready to teach my kids. It also allowed our kids to feel like they were learning the same thing.

5. Anything else you want to add?
Working with a partner must be effortless. Both involved must be willing to share ideas and be flexible with time. I truly miss working with a partner to plan and share ideas. Partnerships allow both educators to feel a sense of belonging. I think our time with planning made planning more simple and effective. It allowed both of us to use our knowledge and skills to benefit our kids and their learning.

Many thanks to Ms. S for her comments, her professionalism, and continual desire to be an effective teacher. She still works miracles in the classroom. (I'm honored to call her a friend.)

What do you think about working with a partner or as a team? Do you have other ideas?

Comment below.



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