Do you prefer to do long term or short term plans? How do you plan for instruction?

How to Answer
Answer Example

Both kinds of planning are required as a teacher. You will be expected to have a long-term plan for the course of the year and also get specific with unit plans and daily lesson plans. Don't settle for either/or thinking, and instead respond that you can do both. You can use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your flexibility and discipline. Explain the importance of each planning style and how you go about making long and short-term plans from year to year.

"I think both short term and long term plans are equally important and necessary. I start long-term planning over the summer months to really think through what I want my students to have learned after the course of a year. For long-term planning, I think broadly about concepts and ideas I want students to gain. I formulate units in various subjects around those big ideas. I get much more specific for short-term planning and consider which skills I want students to master within a unit or even within one lesson. I backwards plan my short-term plans to ensure that my assessment at the end of a week or a unit aligns with my daily lessons and objectives. I enjoy planning with a team because of the value of added contributions."

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How to Answer: Do you prefer to do long term or short term plans? How do you plan for instruction?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Elementary Teacher job interview.

35. Do you prefer to do long term or short term plans? How do you plan for instruction?

How to Answer

Both kinds of planning are required as a teacher. You will be expected to have a long-term plan for the course of the year and also get specific with unit plans and daily lesson plans. Don't settle for either/or thinking, and instead respond that you can do both. You can use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your flexibility and discipline. Explain the importance of each planning style and how you go about making long and short-term plans from year to year.

Written by Audra Kresinske on August 22nd, 2021

Answer Example

"I think both short term and long term plans are equally important and necessary. I start long-term planning over the summer months to really think through what I want my students to have learned after the course of a year. For long-term planning, I think broadly about concepts and ideas I want students to gain. I formulate units in various subjects around those big ideas. I get much more specific for short-term planning and consider which skills I want students to master within a unit or even within one lesson. I backwards plan my short-term plans to ensure that my assessment at the end of a week or a unit aligns with my daily lessons and objectives. I enjoy planning with a team because of the value of added contributions."

Written by Audra Kresinske on August 22nd, 2021

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