A school's schedule can be as important to education outcomes as its budget or strategic plan. The secret to making the schedule a tool for school improvement is to approach schedule design not as a technical task, centered on making everything fit like Tetris blocks, but as a strategic one. In this book, informed by research and their work with…

A challenge at the heart of personalized competency-based education (PCBE) is grouping and scheduling students according to their learning needs rather than their age. With this guidebook, you'll take a deep dive into the why and how of these foundational PCBE components. Gain clear guidance for gathering standards-based data and then using the…

Schools need their writing instruction "simplified." Most classrooms share writing time with another subject, making it difficult for students to receive the direct writing instruction they need. Between the lack of time, increased gaps in writing skills, and inconsistent writing curriculum, teachers are struggling to bring their…

Many schools may not be fully prepared to provide the learning environments required by the growing number of autistic children. It is imperative for school administrators and educators to be aware of factors that promote and facilitate learning for students diagnosed with autism, each of whom requires special education services in order to reach…

Describes varieties of scheduling, inadequacy of the short-period schedule, and the historical background of block scheduling. Discusses effective block scheduling at the middle-grades level and advantages of fan-block schedules. Outlines classroom strategies for use in blocks and a sample learning-cycle lesson for social studies. (SR)

Describes a multiage classroom of 7-, 8-, and 9-year olds, with the days structured in inquiry cycles. Describes goals for learners, creating a curriculum framework, establishing a context for learning; and talking, questioning, and inviting inquiry. Describes the daily planning circle, periods of exploration that follow, reflections in the…

Describes how an eleven-period day would work in high schools. Discusses the benefits of having an eleven-period day, such as helping with overcrowding and allowing students flexibility. Addresses where music class would fit into this schedule and includes a list of resources on scheduling. (CMK)

This book provides beginning preschool teachers with an easy-to-follow program for immediate use, and experienced teachers with ideas and activities suitable for integration into existing programs. Chapter 1 presents a recommended model for a daily preschool schedule, along with a task-by-task description of a typical day's responsibilities for…

Argues that, although few teachers initially understand or trust year-round scheduling, it is a concept that can work well. Provides some options for building and maintaining music programs in school systems that operate on year-round schedules. (DB)

Describes the construction of a children's calendar for use in school, including development of time concepts, devising event-recording systems, daily and weekly schedules of events, multiple-week schedules of events, and a day-date calendar. (MKR)

Objects to traditional scheduling practices in which band rehearsals are not started until well into the academic year. Argues that starting at the beginning of the year offers numerous advantages. Presents a number of lessons that can be employed in early band rehearsals, even before students are familiar with their instruments. (DSK)

Discusses what the multiage classroom environment is and what the curriculum and inquiry schedule look like. Describes one school's integrated curriculum, constructivist process, and use of language arts as a tool. Describes scheduling days that tend to consist of literacy workshop, centers, math workshop, and hands-on project time. Discusses…

Based on a proven instructional model distilled over years of research, this book focuses on five essential pedagogy standards for guiding teaching practice in classrooms with diverse students, including English learners. Providing key indicators for each standard along with the theoretical rationale and "best practice" strategies, the book offers…

Based on research of literature-based instruction in elementary schools that serve large numbers of economically-disadvantaged children, this paper discusses 10 factors that can enhance the implementation of literature-based instruction. The paper suggests that teachers: (1) provide extensive professional development opportunities; (2) provide for…

The Management for Effective Teaching (MET) Long Range Planning Model has been developed to provide practical assistance in planning for classroom management and teaching. The planning procedures were devised to help elementary teachers in the Fairfax County (Virginia) Public Schools implement the school system's Program of Studies. In the model…