I often get asked how I schedule my day to fit everything in. While everyone's school and programming is different here are two examples of schedules I have used. One is from teaching a half day every day program and the other is from teaching a full day alternating day program.
Full Day Alternating Days
Half Day Everyday
Thinking Circle: This is the time when we work on routines such as See Say Wonder, Zoom In from the work of Ritchart and Church. When the weather is nice we go on I wonder walks. These routines are related to critical inquiry topics or inquiry projects that the class is working on. During this time we set our learning goals for the day and talk about the schedule. Morning message is incorporated into this time as well. For more information see Project section of website.
Teacher Choice Centres: This is play-based learning time however students are put into groups chosen by the teacher and are assigned to different centres with specific tasks and learning goals. Each centre lasts ten minutes. Students rotate through stations, some independent and some with teacher direction. This is an excellent time to work with students on targeted instruction. For more information see Play section of website.
Student Choice Learning Centres: This is play-based learning time where students are able to choose where they go, with whom they interact, and how long they stay at a learning centre. During this time I engage at a variety of stations to help scaffold the play and stretch student learning. This is a great time to discover student passions. For more information see Play section of website.
Critical Inquiry/Inquiry Workshop: This is direct instruction and classroom discussion around either our critical inquiry projects or focused mini lessons and work time for personal inquiry projects. Students often chose to work on their inquiry projects during student choices learning centre time as well.F or more information about critical inquiry projects go to the Project section of this website. For more information on inquiry workshop go to the Passion section of Website.
Leaders in Learning: This is the time when students share with the class what they learned or explored that day. We celebrate different achievements and showcase items from student portfolios at this time as well. We self-reflect and reflect as a class on our learning goals for the day and whether we achieved them or not.
Specials (Music and PE): Each year these are at times beyond my control. They simple replace whatever activity I had planned for that time.