A Process for Programming

A Process for Programming

Developed by the English team at Lucas Heights Community School for

implementing the new Stages 4-5 Syllabus

English Stages 4-5 January 2005NSW Department of Education and TrainingCurriculum K-12 Directorate http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au /

There’s no need to get rid of your old programs!

1. Evaluate current programs in the light of the new Syllabus and QTP

• Test for fit to new syllabus outcomes

• What stays?

• What goes?

• What needs to be adapted or extended?

Plan the way ahead…

2. Develop a strategic plan for programming

• What outcomes need more attention?

• What texts need more attention?

• What cross-curriculum content needs more attention?

• What aspects of QTP need more attention?

3. Develop a one-page “scope and sequence”

• This step requires input from the whole team.

• The objective is to provide a broad outline of each unit

• Consider whether the stage planning meets syllabus requirements

4. Develop a schedule for getting the job done

• Allocate each unit that needs to be programmed (or reprogrammed) as a special project for one or two members of the team.

• Encourage teacher(s) to keep project in a folder with the schedule attached to the outside.

• Have regular progress reports of projects at team meetings

Think of it as an act of creation.

5. Prepare the draft units

• Consider appropriate models of units.

• Search for resources. Start with the bookroom. Cannibalise old programs. Search the WWW. Peruse the catalogues – what do you need to buy?

• A good starting point for each unit: decide what you want students to do, make or learn.

• Work backwards from there, determining a sequence of lessons that will enable students to achieve these objectives.

• Write up unit in draft form, mapping to syllabus outcomes.

Cannibalism comes naturally to us.

6. Evaluate the draft units

• Use the evaluation instrument: “Evaluation of Stage 5 English Program”.

• The architect of each unit presents the draft at a team meeting – fine tune using the “Tuning Protocol”.

• Teach the unit, then evaluate and fine tune again.

Presto!

Your programs are ready!