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

2. 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

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

4. GetItPd

5. 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.

6. 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.

8. What we don’t want….

10. One Teacher’s Block Schedule Teaching “Formula”
Skill/Concept Review minutes
Direct Instruction minutes
Shared practice minutes
Individual Practice minutes
Closure/ Reflection minutes

11. One Teacher’s Block Schedule Teaching “Formula”
Skill/Concept Review 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 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

12. One Teacher’s Block Schedule Teaching “Formula”
Skill/Concept Review minutes
Direct Instruction minutes
Shared practice 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)

13. Guiding Reading Groups

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

15. One Teacher’s Block Schedule Teaching “Formula”
Skill/Concept Review minutes
Direct Instruction minutes
Shared practice minutes
Individual Practice minutes
Closure/ Reflection 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

16. Teacher-Student Conferences

17. Let’s See What This Can Look Like…

19. 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 minutes.
Flexible and adaptable to the teacher’s and students’ needs.

20. Bloom’s Taxonomy

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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.

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

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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!

28. 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!

29. Because they can, we must!

33. The Lost Generation

34. You know where to find me…
Final Questions?
You know where to find me…
and Twitter: mjshields
Website: GetItPd
Edmodo: mjshields

35. Schedule