Teaching on the Alternating Block

Chester County High School

Agenda

8:30-11:00 Topics

12:30-2:15 Lesson Plans

Introductions

When I die,I hope it’s during a lecture;

the difference betweenlife and death will be so

small,that I won’t notice it!

(Anonymous Student)

Think, Puzzle, Explore

What do you think you know about this topic?

What questions or puzzles do you have?

How can you explore this topic?

Visible Thinking Strategies

Pros and Cons – Alternating Block

Pros◦ Less students per day; more time

with each student◦ More time for labs, hands-on

activities and group work◦ Students have less

homework/less subjects to study each night

◦ More planning time*◦ Less transitions therefore less

opportunity for wasted time◦ Teachers are not limited in

teaching strategies◦ Less information to process

throughout the day◦ More time to integrate our

student organizations into classes

Cons◦ If student misses a day,

they actually miss more content

◦ Teacher sees students either 2 or 3 times a week.

◦ Teachers may not use all of the minutes available wisely

◦ Loss of continuity in subjects requiring daily repetition

Lesson Planning

Average Adult AttentionSpan = 20 minutes

Bell work/Attendance-10 Review-10 Direct Instruction-20 Guided Practice-20 Independent Practice –

20 Closing/Homework-10

Only a Guideline Adjustments can be

made according to topic

Warren County, NC Patty’s Blog

Lesson Plan Templates

Direct Instruction / Demonstration (I do) Guided Practice (We do) Independent Practice (We do) Application (You do)

Gradual Release

I do!

We do!

We do!

You do!

Build assessment strategies into the learning cycle to give the learners ongoing feedback based on their progress toward targeted standards.*

Vary the type of assessment strategies so that all learners may thrive.*

* Gayle H. Gregory; Lynne E. Herndon. Differentiated Instructional Strategies for the Block Schedule (Kindle Locations 359-360). Kindle Edition.

Checks for Understanding & Formative assessment

Chunking – 3 or 4 chunks; could be different topics.

Vary teaching strategies to appeal to different learning styles.

Build in opportunities for interactive dialogue, movement, and hands-on tasks, as well as for intrapersonal moments of reflection.

Gayle H. Gregory; Lynne E. Herndon. Differentiated Instructional Strategies for the Block Schedule (Kindle Locations 357-358). Kindle Edition.*

Differentiating delivery of instruction

Bell work◦ ACT question of the day◦ ACT sample questions

Incorporate ACT skills into lessons◦ Ex: Writing business letter with proper verb tense◦ Ex:◦ Ex:◦ Ex:

Inclusion of ACT content

Effective Use of Planning Time Time Management Use of Technology

Other topics for discussion:

individually develop a 90-minute lesson plan for submission

complete the KWL chart for submission

CCHS teachers will:

Additional Resources

Gayle H. Gregory & Lynne E Herndon, 2010

Websites

Making Blocks Work Strategies for Block Mike Rettig - the Block