Time for School
Posted by Jen Bragg on 18 Sep 2009 | Posted in: Classroom Routines, Planning and Curriculum, Teachers and Teaching
During a recent conversation with my brother, he mentioned that he was in charge of getting my third-grade niece, Carly, to school by 9:00 the next day. Since I’m settled at my desk by 7:30 most days, 9:00 seemed like a late start to me. But then, thinking about my teaching days, my start times definitely varied. At one school, students rolled in at 7:45. I taught at another school where half the class arrived at 8:00 and the other half was expected by 8:50. (Their release times were also staggered.) At still another school, the day officially began with the 9:15 bell. While there were surely advantages to each schedule, as a morning person I definitely preferred the earlier start times. Earlier start meant earlier dismissal, perfect for my energy levels. For some of my students, though, it meant more time in afterschool care, while for others it created ample time to complete homework before sports practice.
What about you and your students? Do you notice a change in energy levels during the day? Do your start and dismissal times affect your planning or your use of parent volunteers?
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17 Responses to “Time for School”
More Comments Pages: « 1 [2] Show All Comments
More Comments Pages: « 1 [2] Show All Comments
We begin here at 7:50 and release at 2:45! I think that it is great and very beneficial for all of the kids. I find that the students also do better early in the morning.
Last year I was the only all day kindergarten class in my building. We got a lot of the leftovers. So, it ended up we had recess at 10:15. It was terrible. Kindergarten students have their best energy and thinking power in the a.m. We started school at 9:00 so by the time we started calendar it was 9:30. We had some movement and just started diggin into reading and we had to stop and go to recess. After recess we used the restroom, went to lunch at 11:00 and came back to the room. It was a terribly long drawn out afternoon. I am so glad and lucky we don’t have the same schedule this year!:)
I’ve noticed that the earlier we begin,the better it
is for everyone. The kids are ready to start at
8:45 and ready to leave by 3:00. If it’s much later
to start,we lose alot of prime learning time,especially in the younger kids. It seems the older ones do better
with a later start time,especially towards middle
and upper grades.
I would love to start earlier. Students don’t have to be here until 9:15 and we don’t get out until 4:15.
We just made our start time earlier this year. We increased our total class time. I find it to be great for our 4 year class. I find our 3 year class to be a bit tired at the end of the day. I have had a varioety of start ties through the years. I love the earlier times just like you. I have energy all day and then go home and enjoy my day.