With all of the different options floating around about how next year will work, the block scheduling is one of the options. Luckily, I’ve taught on a block schedule before and while it has it’s pros and cons, it isn’t too difficult to switch over. Below are my tips on block scheduling and how to make it work for you & your students!
#1: Block Scheduling Needs a Different Mindset
In this model, teaching 1 lesson a day isn’t really going to cut it. You will see your kiddos for less days over the course of the year so you will need to make the most of each time. This means that you might have to update your unit plan or combine lessons. Trying to teach 2 lessons in 1 block might work for some, but student’s also don’t have a 90 minute stamina. You will have to do brain breaks during the lesson. And switching up how you are teaching will help kiddos stay engaged.
#2: Block Classes give flexibility
This is one of the pros for being on a block scheduling model, you get more time for different activities. Projects that might have traditionally taken a week can get done in 2 classes! Stations work wonders for giving students time to practice and switch things up every so often. Use this flexibility to your advantage!
#3: Structure the Class Time Well
I structure my block to have 3 parts so that the block doesn’t feel like it will never end!
- 1: bell work & lesson notes
- 2: partner practice
- 3: stations or part of a PBL or a short lesson/practice
This structure made it easier to plan and meant that we were switching tasks about every 25-30 minutes. Students stayed more engaged and by putting some sort of practice in the middle, it broke up the block.
I love using timers in my classroom, to keep me and the kiddos on track! I’d set a timer for the partner practice as well as any stations. This also stopped the clock-watchers because they knew how much longer they had to work.
#4: Organizing a Block Schedule
Staying organized is key to just about everything in education, and block classes are no different! I organized in a similar way to how class periods were so it wasn’t a big change. I had a turn in spot for each block (A1, A2, B1, B2) and different spot for their notes folders. Using an organizer like this was super helpful!
#5: Planning for Longer Classes
Like I mentioned in #3, structuring class time is key. Another thing to keep in mind is planning on your end. Rather than planning by date (Monday, Tuesday…) it is easier to plan by lesson (1, 2, 3) and then apply the lesson to both a and b days. I like having a space to check off that I’ve taught the lesson to both days. Just something about checking it off makes me feel accomplished! My planning template looks like this:
If you want the template for yourself, drop your email below. There are 1, 2 and 3 subjects with both A/B days, Even/Odd days, and blank for you to fill in how you need to.
What other tips would you add for teaching block scheduling? Is your school on this model? Looking for the freebie? Drop your email below to get it sent straight to you!
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