3-27
Step 7. Preparing a timetable and making the weekly schedules
Once the overall content for the course is decided, you can plan the classes and
other activities on a week-by-week basis. It helps if you copy blank planning sheets
similar to the one on page 3-29, but adapted to your needs. The larger the planning
sheet, the more details can be written in later. You can make a large one by joining
2 sheets together. Each week the plan can be posted for students to see. Following
the blank weekly schedule is an example of one that was filled out and used during a
training course in Project Piaxtla, Mexico.
In preparing a weekly timetable, think about how to best use the hours of the
day. Plan your schedule according to the local rhythm of life: the hours when people
usually wake up, work, eat meals, rest, and so on. Try to include a variety of activities
during each day, to avoid doing the same kind of thing for too long. You may also
want to allow a few minutes between classes for relaxing or quick games. When
planning times, be sure to get the suggestions and agreement of the students and
the families with whom they are staying.
Now consider which subjects should be taught when. Here are some ideas based
on our own experience:
Which time of day is best for what?
Be sure afternoon classes
have plenty of action.
• Early morning hours, before the day is
hot, are good for gardening and physical
work.
• The morning is also a good time for
classes on serious subjects that require
thoughtful study. Everyone is fresh and
eager to learn at this hour.
• The afternoon, when students are tired,
is a good time for active discussions,
role playing, and projects like making
teaching materials.
• Evenings are best for slide and video
presentations, and for meetings with
community persons who may be busy
all day.
NOT APPROPRIATE
APPROPRIATE
Every day? Or once or twice a week?
• Subjects such as curative-and-preventive medicine and clinical practice, which
cover a great deal of material and require a lot of time, are best included every
day.
• Skills such as using a reference book (Where There Is No Doctor) or using
medicines correctly are best taught once or twice a week—in such a way that
they reinforce other subjects the students are learning.
• Review sessions should follow consultations or exams as soon as possible.
• Community visits should be scheduled for times when people are likely to be at
home—a couple of evenings each week or on a weekend morning.