Contributor: Melissa Daniels
1. Switch classrooms. If you are in classrooms that do not open up, switch classrooms for the day with the other team.
2. Get creative with your exploratory. See if your exploratory teacher can teach all the kids for one period. (You may also agree to extend this period a little.) This benefits you both. You get a prep and your exploratory teacher gets extra prep time. The exploratory teacher might show a movie, do an activity in the main commons (like script reading or improv in drama), or do an activity outside (like nature sketches for art class).
3. Web Quests. Have your students do a web quest. There are lots of good ones out there that are already made!
· http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/webquest/webquest.html
· http://www.webquest.org/search/index.php
4. Films. If the film is content-related, and you don’t have a question sheet, have them write down parts of the film that strike them and discuss afterwards in small groups.
5. Get coverage from a helpful colleague. Often you can’t get coverage for the whole day, but you might be able to get coverage for a couple of periods from helpful colleagues.
6. Think “student-centered.” Even in a PBL environment, there are days when the instruction is more teacher-centered than others. On a day when you have all the kids, try to choose activities that are student-centered, so that you are not “on stage” all day. This may help you make it through your long day! J
Sample Schedule:
1st period: classes are normal. A friendly colleague covers your partner’s class.
2nd period: classes are normal. A friendly colleague covers your partner’s class.
X –Block/Advisory/Lunch: (If you have lunch duty, consider switching!)
3rd period (extended slightly): Exploratory teacher takes all of the students. Then, he/she has the afternoon off…you both win!
4th and 5th: You teach all the kids. Web Quest, film, quiz/test, writing assignment, etc.
