1. July 26, 2012

2. Welcome Connections Never Have I Ever… Movement in the block schedule

3. Pros/Cons Con: Ninety minutes is a lot of class time. Pro: Ninety minutes is a lot of class time. C:The temptation is there to simply combine two lessons to stretch from bell to bell. P: Students can read a work during class and have time for discussion/questions. C: Student attention spans will not last ninety minutes. The brain can only absorb what the rear can endure. P: Students can practice group and individual skills all in one session. C: Irrelevant activities planned to “fill time” must be avoided. P: Teacher can conference with students, students can peer edit, etc.

4. What does my classroom look like? Good News Starter (writing/reflection prompt; critical thinking; I Heard, I Noticed, I Wondered; Editor-in-Chief) Launch lesson Group work/individual work/share-out Closure/exit ticket (index cards, post-its, etc.) These are useful for informal formative assessment to guide pacing.

5. Sample Lesson Advertising PowerPoint(s)

6. Brain Breaks Double, double, this, this Thumbs up and shoot Gotcha Say 21 Slap & spell Do this, do that

7. Movement w/in content area Amnesia Active discussion Gallery walk

8. Non-negotiables of block scheduling Plan multiple activities (vary skill sets) Plan individual AND group tasks Daily review (can often incorporate as starters) Time management Facilitate, don’t dominate

9. Resources readwritethink.org webenglishteacher.com teachablemoment.org successfulpractices.org