Longer+Class+Periods

Opportunities of the Longer Class Period

 * Time for a Variety of Activities
 * Time to Make Explicit Connections with Homework or Future Steps
 * Time for Re-presentation in Different Modes of Instruction
 * Time for Guided Practice
 * Time to Observe and Assess Students' Demonstrations of Learning
 * Time for Student-Based Construction of Meaning
 * Time for More Experiential, Process-based, Complex Activities and Assessments
 * Time for Authentic Involvement of Students in Framing, Inquiring, Describing, Debriefing, and Evaluating Their Own and Their Peers' Performances and Patterns of Learning

Things to Avoid

 * Delivering the same 45-minute lesson and then giving students 10-20 minutes to start their homework
 * Doing more of the same: longer lectures, longer discussions
 * Holding full-length, single-format lessons unless it fits learning objectives or assessments
 * Unconsciously devaluing time because there appears to be more time
 * Gravitating towards collaboration without individual assessment and accountability measures for students

Strategies to Consider

 * Discussion Models
 * Flipping the Classroom
 * Formative Assessments & Rubrics
 * Guided Practice
 * In-Class Note-taking Strategies
 * Student Teaching
 * Collaboration