It differentiates between writing or taping activities, decision making activities and building activities. It also shows the students what forms of oral language exercises they will do. Through the long range plan, the students learn how to read a linear chart, and understand and explain the significance of the different shapes, colors, and sizes used. We use it as an outline for speech class, and change, add or delete lessons as necessary. It is a tool I developed to provide structure for the community simulation and to insure that my objectives will be met.
Additional structure is provided by the criteria lists developed mostly by the students.
These lists show what the students don't want and what they feel they need in the future Verbal Community. When the students have difficulty thinking of what they will need to live in the future, I ask them questions to help generate ideas. Also, they may need reminding of the importance of movement, health care, etc. In the 1996-1997 school year, a group of my students decided that they needed more open land and more sound proof areas 50 years in the future. They listed these needs on their criteria list.