Dr. Melissa Shields, NBCT Alabama Department of Education @mjshields

Who am I? Wife, Mom, Purse Collector, Mud Run Enthusiast, Yorkie Owner, Writer, Diehard Bama Fan Teacher (6th-12th English and History) – 16 years ELA Nationally Board Certified, 2000 and 2010 Administration – 10 years

https://todaysmeet.com/Woodlawn Now, tell me about you! Grade Assignment and 2 Descriptors https://todaysmeet.com/Woodlawn

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Block Scheduling What does the research say… Despite the possibilities afforded by longer class periods, the implementation of block scheduling does not necessarily result in a change in instructional practices. Researchers observed a difference between the perceived effect of blocking and the degree to which teachers actually altered their teaching approaches. Numerous studies show that the variety of instruction used within a blocked course is crucial to the schedule’s success. http://www.hanoverresearch.com/2012/02/27/how-to-teach-in-a-blocked-schedule/

5 Skills We Need On a Block Schedule Planning - The ability to develop a pacing guide (aligned to standards) for the course in nine-week periods, which includes weekly and daily planning. Variety - The ability to use several instructional strategies effectively. Vision - The skill to design and maintain an environment that allows for great flexibility and creativity. Management - The desire and skill to be an effective classroom manager. Openness - The freedom to share the ownership of teaching and learning with the students. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/003172170008200307

What we don’t want….

https://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/uw5pyS6IXip1O8Z

One Teacher’s Block Schedule Teaching “Formula” Skill/Concept Review......................10 minutes Direct Instruction............................30 minutes Shared practice...............................20 minutes Individual Practice...........................20 minutes Closure/ Reflection.........................10 minutes http://blogs.scholastic.com/9_12/2008/10/effective-teach.html

One Teacher’s Block Schedule Teaching “Formula” Skill/Concept Review.............................................10 minutes Great time for a quick formative assessment: Quick write Word sort Cloze activity Sponges HINTS! Take attendance and collect homework during this time. Direct Instruction.................................................30 minutes Interactive lecture (i.e.: 10/2 or "Chunk and Chew" format) Cornell notetaking (with discussion during or afterward) Video Demo Shared reading or read aloud of text Introduction of new concept or skill with handouts or student note taking

One Teacher’s Block Schedule Teaching “Formula” Skill/Concept Review......................10 minutes Direct Instruction............................30 minutes Shared practice.................................................20 minutes Small groups work collectively on task to practice skill or concept presented during direct instruction time. Strategies Guided reading Numbered heads Writing task Jigsaw Response groups Fishbowl activity (start at 7:37)

Guiding Reading Groups https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/guided-groups-formative-assessment

One Teacher’s Block Schedule Teaching “Formula” Skill/Concept Review..........................10 minutes Direct Instruction................................30 minutes Shared practice...................................20 minutes Individual Practice...........................................20 minutes Standards-based assignment work time Redos and retakes too! Opportunity for individual conferencing Opportunity for students to clarify progress on tasks

One Teacher’s Block Schedule Teaching “Formula” Skill/Concept Review..........................10 minutes Direct Instruction................................30 minutes Shared practice....................................20 minutes Individual Practice...............................20 minutes Closure/ Reflection.........................................10 minutes Metacognitive Journal What did I learn/ How did I learn it? / How will I use it? Reflection on a reading completed in class Time for students to set up for homework

Teacher-Student Conferences

Let’s See What This Can Look Like… https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/teaching-declaration-of-independence

https://www.polleverywhere.com/free_text_polls/JloCBwsj666Sjdb

Block Expert - Robert Canady We should spend our days coaching instead of lecturing. We should shift from talking all day to our students to planning for student to work all day. “The teachers lead it; the students do it.” Canady developed a 3-step block schedule lesson plan based on Bloom’s Taxonomy. 1) Explanation 2) Application 3)Synthesis Not a fixed 30-30-30 minutes. Flexible and adaptable to the teacher’s and students’ needs. http://tech205.weebly.com/uploads/8/8/0/0/8800017/blockschedulespecialreport.pdf

Bloom’s Taxonomy

Canady’s Three-Step Plan to Teaching on Block Schedule Step 1 – EXPLANATION Teacher in charge and may teach in traditional manner Bloom’s Taxonomy - Remember Use Prior Knowledge Formative Assessments Conduct Mini-Lecture Make Lesson Relevant and Encourage Interest

Canady’s Three-Step Plan to Teaching on Block Schedule Step 2 – APPLICATION The “heart” of the class and should take the most time Bloom's Taxonomy - Understand and Apply Students are the workers and teacher is the coach “The teacher moves to the sidelines.” Students are more active Working in pairs or groups Socratic Seminar Digital Learning Interviews Simulations Think-Pair-Share Debates

Canady’s Three-Step Plan to Teaching on Block Schedule Step 3 – SYNTHESIS Bloom's Taxonomy – Analyze, Evaluate, and Create “Never let a class end without a class understanding the essential elements.” Check for understanding and reteach if necessary. Make sure the content is relevant. “Why do I have to know this?” What would Romeo and Juliet’s prom song be? Recall for next day. Use a “hook” if possible.

Block Schedule - Stations Organize time by learning stations in which each station requires students to perform a task. Sample Schedule Introduction….................15 min. Station 1….......................20 min. Station 2….......................20 min. Station 3…...................... 20 min. Close and Review…..........10 min. Core Classes CTE PE

What We Need to Do Teachers must develop and follow monthly, weekly, and daily pacing guides. Teachers must master a minimum of five instructional strategies to engage students directly in the learning process and should aim to master seven or eight. Teachers should pace each lesson by changing grouping patterns, varying presentations, and using different instructional activities. In most cases, a teacher should use a minimum of three instructional strategies during any class period. Teachers should incorporate alternative and authentic assessment practices when evaluating students. https://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.desmetjesuit.org/resource/resmgr/faculty_resources/block_scheduling_revisited_a.pdf

What We Need to Do Teachers must use the entire class period for instruction. Every day. Teachers should strive to be creative and flexible in assigning activities and should incorporate outside assignments into regular classroom activities. Teachers should monitor individual students consistently to be sure of total student participation in small and large groups. Successful block teachers should mentor, formally or informally, beginning teachers and veteran teachers having difficulty with instruction in block scheduling. https://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.desmetjesuit.org/resource/resmgr/faculty_resources/block_scheduling_revisited_a.pdf

What we DON’T Need to Do Don’t forget the importance of daily review. Use that extra time! Don’t feel as though you have to be up front and center the entire class. Don’t be a control freak. Let it go!

Last Reminders Multiple opportunities for learning on any schedule are critical. Even our adult attention spans are around 30 minutes. Have 2-3 mini lessons on hand for those times you need a solid instructional “filler.” With the extra time, try “out-of-the-box” ideas! Be flexible! Trial and error is a good thing!

Because they can, we must! https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=204&v=lRS1HdU4Lns

The Lost Generation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6msKrqmN3w&feature=related

You know where to find me… Final Questions? You know where to find me… Email: mjshields@alsde.edu and Twitter: mjshields Website: GetItPd Edmodo: mjshields

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