To examine the extent to which weekly plans are significant in developing curriculum

Aim

To examine the extent to which weekly plans are significant in developing and modifying the curriculum.

Evidence and reflection

Over the course of a term or half term, note the ways in which weekly plans are used as a ‘thinking tool’ by staff? You might:

Note the ways in which weekly plans are developed through staff team meetings.

Record changes to weekly plans that come about through staff discussion.

Note any involvement of the head teacher or a member of the senior management team in developing the content of weekly planning.

Extension

Make a record of changes to medium-term planning that are made at the end of a unit of work. Can these changes be traced back to discussions surrounding the weekly plans?

More in this chapter

• To consider the connection between school philosophy and planning
• To investigate the approach to whole school curriculum planning in your school
• To investigate the coherence which a planned curriculum has for children
• To explore themes linked to PSHE and Citizenship
• To consider the quality of activities in schemes of work
• To review medium-term planning for literacy, numeracy and other subjects
• To structure teaching and learning in a curriculum area
• To consider the resource implications of a planned curriculum program
• To review the use of ICT in a series of lessons
• To review existing lesson planning
• To explore the extent to which sharing learning intentions influences feelings of engagement
• To consider the extent to which pupils are clear about the learning objectives
• To evaluate a teaching session
• To examine tasks in terms of their learning demands
• To evaluate an individual child's curricular experiences over one day
• To evaluate the stimulus and variety of tasks and activities
• To identify the aspects of the hidden curriculum in a selection of books, CDs and other resources