An Average Day in Class

Here's How an average day in class may look...

Every day except for Friday we will have an 80 minute period. On Fridays, we will have approximately 90 minutes.

Daily Success Starter (DSS) - 10 minutes
Literature Lesson / Activity- 30 minutes
Transition Activity (TA)- 10 minutes
Grammar or Writing Lesson /Activity- 30 minutes

Times may vary slightly for each activity based on content and rigor.

The DSS is an activity designed to stimulate student thinking during the optimal learning time in class. The prompts and activities are designed to accomplish any of the following tasks: connect prior knowledge, set up the lesson, reinforce material from previous lessons, establish real-world relevance, and prime students for new concepts. These activities may vary in depth and length but will be fast-paced and limited to less than fifteen minutes of the period.

Every day we will work with some form of literature. Whether we are reading and analyzing a short story or examining the stylistic elements of an article from LinkIn, we will be engaged in text. Many lessons will be student-directed, but I may provide necessary background information or direction as well. Many activities will take place over several days. On Fridays this time is reserved for vocabulary quizzes and tests.

Often we will transition to a different lesson/activity about halfway through the period. During this time I may provide an activity that prepares students. We may also take the time to work on weekly vocabulary.

During most regular days, we will shift to a different focus the second half of class, typically grammar or writing. I may provide some direct instruction or students may be working on an activity. Often activities will take place over several consecutive days with practice to be completed at home. For example, we may study grammar Monday and Tuesday and practice writing on Wednesday and Thursday.

Any time left at the end of class is reserved for vocabulary, independent work, or other activities we need to complete to wrap up a lesson or project. Often this time will be student-directed wherein students determine how to best use it. This will vary each day.