How many units do you prepare before classes begin?

Question

As a new teacher I am not sure how many units I should have planned before the school year begins. I know that the first unit should be solidly planned, of course allowing for adjustments based on the students' needs. But, how far ahead should I be planning with full lesson plans? Any advice would be appreciated. Having some nervous second-guessing today.

Answer 1

Don't plan too far ahead - a month out should be good. And don't go crazy, you may have to adjust things.  I am going to be honest, your first year will be hectic no matter how much you plan!  My first year teaching I had the first month and a half planned (elements of fiction), but then as time went by I had new ideas, gathered ideas from other teacher's in my department, etc.  I was rewriting my plans daily!  

Recently my department head had us create standard unit outlines.  The outlines say what should be covered in each unit, but they are generic so the teacher can personalize them with the lessons, books, stories, etc. they want to use.  It was a huge help for me to take part in writing them - and the new teachers love them.  We also went beyond the units to create binders of materials for the books we all teach (Since all freshmen teachers teach Romeo and Juliet we all handed in lessons, activities we use during the play, now if I want to change things up, or I am looking for a new idea, I go to the binder). I guess what I am trying to say is talk to your colleagues, they will have a lot of valuable information!  

Oh, and don't worry too much.  At one point my first year teaching I was only a chapter ahead in a book the class was reading!  As I said, the first year will be hetic, but it will lay the foundation for years to come.  As a bit of advice - keep a daily journal.  Before you leave school every day spend 10 minutes reflecting on the day.  What went well in regards to the lesson?  How did your students react?  etc.  I found this to be very helpful as I planned going into my second year.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Have your first weeks' outcomes outlined, maybe the lesson plans written and your materials prepared, that way you have some extra time for other things, but after the first month or so your full page lesson plan will become a paragraph, and after that, maybe a few sentences.  Its not that you're not prepared anymore, its just that you're more experienced.  When I look back at my old lesson plans I see that most of the writing there is to make me feel more prepared, not the students.  You will do great, but don't prepare too far ahead.  Things can change so much- time, students' interest, etc and you dont want to waste your time when you could be working on something else :) our time is valuable