Planning and preparation are vital prerequisites to teaching and learning. Unless lessons are carefully planned there is every chance they will go awry. When that happens students are dissatisfied and teachers unfulfilled.

There’s a juxtaposition to this. It sometimes happens that “once in a blue moon” opportunities present themselves to the school. It may be a visit by players from an interstate football team. It could be that a Notary Public whom no-one was expecting happens along. It could be the sudden arrival of what had been an unplanned Arts Council performance.

In these instances it can be wise to set aside preplanned lessons so the children can participate in activities brought to the School by visitors or performers.

If teachers decline participation because the program has to be forwarded and nothing can get in its way, a class of disappointed students will be the result. Because the learning is “forced” children will be resentful and less inclined to appreciate the lesson. Little will be done towards building relationships between students and the teacher.

Of course, if the activity or the visit is for a higher or lower year level within the school, carrying on with pre-planned activities is fine. Making sure children understand why they’re not joining in will help in setting learning attitudes.

___________________