I promise this post is all about lesson plans, but first it’s time to catch up with this month’s “Currently“
Listening
Noooooo, say it ain’t so! We seem to have that awful end-of-summer plague. It comes, and goes, and then comes back.
Loving
One of my all time favorite bloggers left me an awesome Facebook message and hopefully we will continue to chat. This year, I have more pull-out sessions to support my students. This is great, however, after only three weeks into the school year, I’m starting to feel slightly “isolated” from the fantastic first grade team. Chatting with awesome teacher bloggers who totally “get it” certainly helps and I really appreciate it!
Thinking
Velcro is competing with my other go-to BFFs: lamination and Boardmaker. Unfortunately, this new must-have is HARD to find locally (I have to order from Amazon) and is a bit expensive, in my opinion. However, it only takes 30 seconds of observing my precious students tearing into an adapted task featuring these magical Velcro dots to confirm it’s TOTALLY worth it 🙂
Wanting
I want everything! I want every single teaching tool…whether store-bought or handmade…that will help my students. I would do anything to help them succeed.
Needing
I need absolutely nothing. Although I want to purchase so many amazing teaching materials I see, I know what my students really need is patience and support. And those are both things I am happy to provide.
3 Trips
It may seem like I’m cheating here, but our Florida trips are truly the way I survive 🙂 My mother-in-law lives here and graciously lets us visit several times per year whether she is in town or not. We are now up to four visits every year with the next one coming up at the end of October! It’s hard to explain, but this town feels like home to me. I know the neighborhood, the sights, the people…I truly feel like I belong there. When days are long here in Baltimore, I look at real estate in Redington Beach. I already have a place picked out!
Here’s a few pictures from our future home!
Back to Business – Lesson Plans!
This school year, I’m required to upload my lesson plans to our school’s database TWO weeks in advance. I create one lesson page per day for the three main content areas:
- math
- literacy (phonics, ELA)
- comprehension
I work from the general education lesson plans in those three areas and then I’m “on my own” for the intervention block (focusing on my students’ IEP goals and objectives), Guided Reading (we don’t start until October), and Writing (because my students are below grade-level in this area).
My lesson plans are approximately 16 pages long every week and I’m required to carry them with me. I use a clipboard and then refer to this cover page to keep the objectives in mind:
Lessons Plans for Next Week
These plans are actually for the following week. Here’s a glimpse of what the one-day lesson plan looks like:
I’m required to write these plans soooo far in advance. The weekend before I teach them, I look at the objective and assessment more closely, plus the guided practice.
Next, I create any visual supports/accommodations to help my students gain access to these general education plans. This year, it’s all about sensory materials, including an interactive notebook component.
Real Talk
How do I feel about writing lesson plans like this? Truthfully, I’m hardly looking at them by the time my students arrive in the classroom. I can’t even imagine taking my eyes of what’s going on to flip through pages!
I do think the exercise of going through such a detailed lesson planning process helps me internalize the “big picture” objective. I know exactly what the “end goal” is for my students.
These lesson plans take A LONG time to write (5-6 hours minimum) and that happens on Sundays. The two weeks ahead is the part I struggle with the most – this time frame feels like an eternity. First graders can change quite a bit in two week!
All in all, I think it’s a great practice for teachers struggling with writing effective lesson plans, yet I’m not sure if it’s sustainable. Stay tuned!
Oh that end of summer crud is the worst!! I hope it leaves soon! It's amazing at what little things can make our hearts so happy… my heart belongs to anything adhesive- post-its, glue dots, velco, and mainly MAGNETS! So I can totally relate to the power of a good velco dot! Your students are lucky to have you! Have a great year!
Kelli
Tales of a Teacher
Wow…how can you know what you will be doing two weeks from now. I plan the week before, but by most Fridays it is all messed up for one reason or another. We don't have to turn in lesson plans this year (except new teachers), but we must have them. One less thing to have on my list.
Anyways, your currently: I LOVE FL! We were there for our reunion last month..wow August went fast. Will you post how you do your pumpkin coffee? We have no coffee house in town and McD doesn't count, so I always make my own. Also, I love talking with other bloggers, so let's chat!
Kovescence of the Mind
I can see why you put Florida 3 times, the pictures are beautiful! I too am addicted to all school supplies, and I tend to over spend to get items for my classroom.
Sara
Frampton's FUNdamentals
I live in Florida, so I understand your obsession! You should move!
Julie
Math is Elementary
The pumpkin graphic totally drew me in! I LOVE Fall and everything pumpkin as well. It's pretty bad! I also have that end of summer crud as well. Hope you guys are feeling better soon!
Bryce
First Grade Stampede
I made pumpkin pie dip last year…have you had it?! Ohhh so good. Look for it on Pinterest if you haven't had it. I've been to Florida a couple times. Last time was in May 2013 for my brother's wedding in Destin. It was beautiful! Would love to make it to the Keys one day!
Lindsey
Thriving in 3rd
L. Paull Designs for All
Hope your cough clears soon. No fun! Lakeshore in Towson usually has velcro. It isn't cheap, but I can usually count on them to have it when I do my back to school shopping.