Webbing for lesson plans in preschool

Helpful tips for lesson planning in preschool

It was recently suggested that I talk a little bit about how to create a web that will help you in creating lesson plans. I am going to present a few very basic webs just to get you thinking!

Planning Centers

This first web is focused on centers. This web is simply an example of how webbing can be used to help you think through all aspects of your classroom planning.  In every web you want to start with the middle of the web. The middle of the web is the core idea that you will build all other parts of the web from.

Webbing out from the word in the middle are the centers I have elected to set up in my classroom. I could have added fewer or more centers. The point of this article is not to tell you what centers to include in your web or classroom, rather to show you how to use the webbing method.

Thematic Web

Now let’s take a look at another simple web. This web takes a thematic approach but still focuses on centers. The chosen theme is birds. Now I have to decide what I want to include in my centers to allow for further exploring of the theme.

In the web to the left,  I have added ideas to include in each center. Again this is a very basic example of webbing.

The purpose of webbing is to brainstorm ideas for your lesson plans. You can add more lines to each of the outside circles and at the end of each line, add more ideas.

Going off of this very basic web I would then choose the ideas I like best and transpose the chosen ideas into a lesson plan format.

Here is a basic lesson plan that I created from this simple web…

Webbing is for Brainstorming Ideas

Grab a sheet of paper and draw a circle then start building your web of ideas. Your web can be simple or complex.

  • Webbing helps you build on a basic idea.
  • Webbing illustrates how each idea builds off another.
  • Webbing helps you think outside of the box.
  • Webbing helps you know where your lesson plans are weak and where they are strong.

Here are a few more basic webbing ideas for you to see how the core concept (middle circle) can be adjusted to meet the planning needs specific to your situation.

Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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