Making the Most ofClassroom Time

180 days6 hours per day

Total time: 1,080 hours

But how many hours are actually productive?

Just 435 hours of

Productive Learning

Time!

Wise use of time will maximize opportunities for learning and minimize opportunities for disruption! Yes!

What can we do as teachers to increase students’ productive learning time within the constraints of a conventional 6-hour school day?

Strategies

Maintain activity flowMinimize transition timeHold students accountableManage “pullouts”

They maximize time for learning andHelp establish and maintain classroom

order

Maintain Activity Flow

• Maintain activity flow•Avoid flip-flopping•Avoid “stimulus-bound events”•Avoid overdwelling and fragmentation

Minimize transition time

Prepare students for upcoming transitionsEstablish clear routinesHave clear beginnings and endings: Bring

first activity to a halt, announce the transition, monitor the transition, make sure everyone is attentive, begin second activity

Hold students accountable

Communicate assignments clearly

Monitor students’ progress

Manage Pullouts

Coordinate with special services to schedule pullouts so they are not too disruptive

Create a schedule when various students are present and when the whole class is together.◦Establish a policy and procedures for having

students who are pulled out complete work they missed.

Tips for Teaching Transitions

Think about the transitions that occur during the period, such as…Entering and leaving the classroomPutting materials awayMoving from group to independent work

Teach the expected transition behavior!

Provide positive reinforcement

Model correct & incorrect examples

Opportunities for practice

Provide feedbackReteach if needed

Give specific phrase of special privileges

Use tangible rewards if necessary

Actively supervise the transition

Scan the roomWalk around the roomInteract with

students; provide reminders

Teacher: One, two, three, eyes on me!Student: One, two, eyes on you!

“Tootsie roll, lollipop, we were talking, now we stop!”

Assign students numbersHave sign-in sheets by learning centersSay directions orally and on boardHave class schedule postedHave homework written

Handling Paperwork

Model your record keeping after the report card you use

Give students responsibility of keeping their own records

Correct in-class work while students are doing it or immediately after as a group

Collect in-class worksheets & redistribute randomly for grading (if they use numbers)

Give periodic quizzes instead of grading every homework assignment

Give shorter quizzes!Appoint students a special “buddy”

We hope we didn’t waste your time!!!

Time is ticking!

We’re wasting time!!

This is such a great picture…