Creating extended time for collaborative team planning during the school day can be a challenge for elementary campuses, however, as a principal, it was important for me to find time and opportunity during the school day. Creative solutions can usually be found we the guiding coalition is committed to PLCs and understand the importance and impact of time for teacher to collaborate to answer th four critical questions, unit by unit. The following planning expectations, planning protocol, and team coaching resources were used to guide teams through the initial implementation and sustainment phases.

• Collaborative Planning Expectations
• Collaborative Planning Protocol
• Stages of Team Functioning in Professional Learning Communities
• Tuckman’s Stages of Team Development

---

Sample Elementary Collaborative Planning Schedule

I utlized this schedule as an elementary school principal. We utilized before school time (teachers had to be at school 30 minutues prior to arrival) and the first specials (art, music, PE) block of the day. This resulted in a 90 minute block of planning time for each grade level in K-5 every two weeks. We gave the same amount of time for our specials team and special education educators. Special education educators also joined the grade level teams where they had the heaviest caseload. We avoided Friday due to our RIse and Shine campus-wide assemblies. Also, planning for grades levels on Tuesday-Thursday only allowed for grade level teams to have the same day of the week on a rotating (every two week) basis. From 7:15-8:55, Tuesday-Thursday, the specials team provided enrichment and extension activities for students. Campus leadership provided morning duty coverage and made sure students reported to the gym if there teachers were collaboarative planning that day. The All Things PLC website also has some suggested schedules and planning templates.