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L2K Workshop Planning Papers
A planning paper
is a simple 8.5 x 11 page, with the number
in a circle in the top right hand corner. Activities are listed on the planning
paper. These include specific tasks, found in boxes (see "jobs") and also
assignments for the computer, the art area, or the science table.
All students start on planning
paper #1, but some move ahead more quickly than others. When one
planning paper is completed, the student moves to the next numbered planning
paper.
At the beginning
of workshop, the student writes the date on the line next to his/her
choice. When the activity is completed, the student may choose another
activity if there is time. If the activity is not completed
during workshop, the student marks "NF" and finishes during the next
workshop.
Planning Paper large gif sample...may not open for all computers!
planning paper as a pdf, which can be opened if you have Adobe Acrobat
Reader.
Planning paper, simplified for first grade
Planning paper chart, showing the sequence of activities for a second grade classroom
Questions about planning papers
How do you get started?
The first few
weeks, the students need plenty of guidance...especially if they've never
done an "open-style" workshop. We will plan together at the beginning
of workshop. Sometimes, I use a big map of the room and write the initials of
a student beside his/her choice. This technique may be used all through
the year!
What about the kids who can't seem to get started?
I monitor the
beginning of workshop VERY carefully. If a student is playing around,
or can't seem to get started, I will simpy mark the planning paper for
him/her. Occassionally, I have students who just can't adjust to
the freedom of workshop. I simply tell them they must do the activities
on the planning paper in order.
How Many Planning Papers will you use in a year?
Well, that's
a tricky one. My second year of teaching second grade, I made ten planning
papers. Only two students completed all ten!
Can I see more planning papers?
THAT'S
what I'll be working on during the summer of 2000. I need to convert them
from ClarisWorks to WordPerfect 2000, and that'll take some time!
Is there any reward for good work?
Well, I have
to confess that I've been reading Alfie Kohn's book Punished by Rewards,
and I'm trying to move away from extrinsic rewards in my classroom.
HOWEVER...I
have used various reward systems. In first grade, the students received
a penny for each workshop period. If no work was accomplished, no pay
was received. Occassionally, a student would get a bonus penny for work done
very well.At the end of the week, we had a class store. Students could spend their pennies
or save for the next week. (PS The "pennies" were stickers made from
brown tape and a coin stamp. These were stuck right onto the planning
papers for immediate reinforcement! When five penny stickers were collected,
they were traded for a nickel sticker, etc. etc.)
I did the "class
store in first grade MOSTLY because
students needed a way to learn to count money! There are few real-life
situations in which a first-grader can spend seven cents, yet he/she needs
to learn to count seven cents before going on to bigger amounts!
My first-graders REALLY learned to count money!
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