This post is for a series called “Quick Guide to Benchmark Advance,” which helps teachers with the basics.
My biggest tip for planning Benchmark:
FIND THE PATTERNS!
The program follows one overall pattern in K-1 and then follows another pattern in grades 2-6. In Kinder and first grade, there are phonics, reading, and writing mini-lessons each day. In grades 2-6, there are word study, close reading, and writing mini-lessons each day.
For efficient planning, it helps to look at everything in a certain order.
- Analyze the unit at-a-glance.
– What is the essential question?
– What will the word study, reading, and writing look like across the unit?
– What texts will we read? - Read or preview the texts that the students will be reading.
- Record the Week 1 skills and strategies.
- Record the Week 2 skills and strategies, and note if any lessons repeat in the second week.
- Record the Week 3 skills and strategies, and note if any lessons repeat in the third week.
- Decide which lessons you can skip, combine, or need to spend more time on.
I have created free planning templates for both K-1 teachers and 2-6 teachers that will help you with planning. You can also watch my “Plan With Me” video series to see how I plan while following those six steps.
Happy Planning!
Click on the links below to read the other
blog posts included in this “Quick Guide” Series.
A MESSAGE BEFORE YOU BEGIN: This is a good message to keep in mind as you get started
SUPPLY LIST: A short list of items you may want to purchase for your students
MATERIALS OVERVIEW: A shortcut page to reference materials in the program
WHOLE VS. SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION: What everyone is doing and using in whole and small group time
TEACHER TIPS: Advice from teachers who are already using the program
2 thoughts on “Quick Guide to Benchmark Advance: Planning”
Do you happen to have any of your completed day by day lesson plan templates to view possibly for 3rd Grade unit 2? I feel as though a completed one will help me to understand if I’m on the correct track.
Thank you!
Last year I recorded live Plan With Me videos every Sunday and I planned third grade units as examples. Pictures of each completed template are found under the photo albums in my Benchmark Facebook Group (Benchmark Advance Planning, Organization, and Tips).