For example, imagine a day that looks like this:
9:05 - 10:05 Hands-On Science (Using Temperature Probes to Measure Water Temperature w/Various Insulators)
10:05 - 10:50 Writing (Teach how to add transitions between paragraphs/Grade eight students' stories as they write)
10:50 - 11:05 Recess (You are on recess duty)
11:05 - 12:05 Math (Teach the six ways of comparing and ordering fractions)
12:05 - 12:35 Passion Time (Some students need to get new essential questions approved)
12:35 - 1:35 Lunch
1:35 - 2:35 Global Literature Circles (Students use iPads to read on Subtext, write/answer questions & research)
2:35 - 3:20 Social Studies Simulation (Students move westward on the Oregon Trail while dealing w/problems)
3:20 - 3:35 End-of-the-Day Routine
To start my day, students check in on their own and I have two Attendance/Lunch Count people who will handle all of the beginning of the day duties.
For the first lesson of the day, students are using laptops and temperature probes, so that means that one of my students will get the laptop cart, the substitute needs to check out the temperature probes from the LMC, and the sub needs to set up the water stations with ice, bottles, and get the directions up on the projector. Tables need to be moved and everything needs to be set up like this:
As my classroom has become more 21st Century, my days off have become less frequent. Despite wanting to participate on district committees, attend workshops and conferences, and have doctor and dentist appointments during the work week, I have had to change my plans due to the constraints of Sub Plans! I just don't know what to do! Please help! What suggestions can you offer? What have you tried that has worked? How do others do this in a PBL-type environment? Thanks!!!