Post the Plan: Solve Classroom Chaos with Simple Routines

Video Transcript

Hi everybody, this video is about the classroom routine Post the Plan. Let’s move to the agenda. We will start by discussing what Post the Plan is, followed by when and how to use it in a classroom setting, and we’ll end the video with an example.

Let’s move on to understand what Post the Plan is. Before getting into the actual details, let’s first understand what a classroom routine is. A routine is a well-thought-out and well-rehearsed set of behaviours that allow students to deal with everyday classroom situations independently. In this case, this tool allows teachers to organise the lesson and plan in a way that enables students to immediately understand the class itinerary. This also helps with classroom management, as students realise there is a lot of work to do and that time cannot be wasted.

So, what is Post the Plan? It is a practice of sharing the plan with the entire class to ensure a smooth transition throughout the lesson. This allows students to immediately understand what is in store for them during a session, typically lasting about 60 minutes. It also ensures that students and teachers value time, as both stakeholders are aware that there is limited time to accomplish the tasks for the session.

Let’s move on to understand when to use Post the Plan. Ideally, Post the Plan should be used at the beginning of every class. When micro plans are in place and teachers know exactly what their session entails, it is crucial that the teacher walks into the class, greets the students, and then clearly displays the plan for that session on the board. This ensures clarity and sets the tone for the lesson.

Now, let’s explore how to use Post the Plan. Once the plan is displayed on the board and is clearly visible to all students, it is important for the teacher to quickly walk the students through the plan—just like I did with the agenda earlier. The plan does not need to be overly detailed; it should provide a snapshot of the activities planned for that session.

Let’s now look at an example to understand better. Post the Plan will vary for every learning area and may change daily, even for the same grade or section, because the content evolves. For instance, today’s Post the Plan for a science session might look different tomorrow, and it will certainly differ from those for English, maths, or other subjects.

Here’s an example for a science session. The class might begin with a “Do Now” activity. The tool is referenced, but exact details of the activity are not needed here. The class would then progress to an introduction to the periodic table, followed by exploring the advantages of the modern periodic table. 

Next, students might complete a worksheet testing their understanding, with questions related to the introduction or advantages of the periodic table. After that, there could be an individual reflection activity using the tool “I Used to Think, But Now I Know,” allowing students to reflect on their learnings. Finally, the session might conclude with a wrap-up involving note booking, where students answer questions or summarise key concepts learned during the class.

That’s about it! I hope this video helped you understand the classroom routine better. Good luck implementing it. Thank you!