My Teaching Schedule

Week 3:

September 25^th – 29^th

I have developed a routine. I really love having a routine. I also really love NOT having a set-in-stone routine on Fridays. I do think that the Friday morning Skype sessions with Robin will continue! And I’m totally fine with that! It helps me be productive with the rest of my day.

My Typical Sunday - Thursday schedule:

· Wake up at 4:15

· Get on the bus by 5:15

· Arrive at school at 5:45 and prepare for the day

· School starts at 7:15

· My first block is 7:15 – 8:45 (it’s also homeroom and announcements are read at the end of the period). I have 13 students in this class. I had 14, but one wanted to be moved to the Honors English class, and after talking with the student, the other teacher and the counselor, the move was made.

· 20 minute break – I eat a citrus product of some type. It’s been Ritz crackers this week…

· Block 2: 9:05 – 10:35 On “B” days I meet with the other 2 English 9 teachers and the English 9 Honors English teacher. We discuss the plan for the next week, grading, tests, projects, papers and any questions we have about the students or school. The Honors English teacher is also the department co-chair, so she’s very helpful. The rest of us are all new to the school, and I’m the only brand-new teacher in the group. On “A” days I stay in my room and grade or work on my lessons, or I go and talk to anyone else that is available!

· Block 3: 10:45 – 12:05. 19 students. This is my interesting class. When I was student teaching with Jan we had a discussion about that one class that just kind of makes you crazy. This would be them! Most of the students are genuinely trying, and they mean well, but they do not know how to stop talking and pay attention. I’m working on it!

· Lunch!

· Block 4: 12:40 - 2. My last class of the day! 14 students.

(The times might not be exact, but pretty close!)

The Block Schedule:

For many of you, a school operated on a block schedule is unfamiliar. You’ll notice that classes are roughly an hour and twenty-five minutes. On your ‘typical’ school schedule, classes are 50 – 55 minutes. I have my students for a significant chunk of time every day!

There is “A” day and “B” day. At my school, the 9^th graders are required to take English every day. It’s a 2-part class. “A” day is Language (grammar, vocabulary, research, writing) and “B” day is Literature (reading, performance, writing). Since we see them every day, the two classes are integrated. The rest of their schedule is varied. They may have English, Science, History and Math on “A” day, and English, Religion, Computer Science and Religion on “B” day. I know there are a couple of other classes that occur every day, but this is just to give you an idea.

I feel very fortunate that the school likes to have a fairly small student / teacher ratio. It definitely helps me keep them all straight. I have a total of 46 students. Many teachers in the states have more than that between 2 classes!