Block Scheduling Strategies- Strategies to Support Independent Work Time by Nancy Hait https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp How do we ensure all students have the skills and tools to work independently? Post links to strategies that will support you and your colleagues as we transition into block scheduling! With EACH post, add a description indicating why this resource is valuable. en-us 2021-08-16 19:55:59 UTC 2025-11-14 00:18:37 UTC hello@padlet.com nhait2 https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1687779893 Block scheduling means longer class periods!  This free tool helps you manage that time!  To manage independent work time, check out the Work Signals, Traffic Light, and Timer!]]> 2021-08-20 11:32:49 UTC https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1687779893 https://bouncyballs.org/ https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691575615 During work time periods, students might be collaborating/talking to their peers and the class volume can get loud. 
This program will monitor the volume through your computer's microphone and the bouncing of the balls on the screen will indicate the volume. 
You could project this program on your classroom screen while students work independently and norm with your students when the balls are bouncing too much (i.e. when the class volume is too loud). 
This visual can help will classroom management and it make clear the volume expectations you have for students when they are working collaboratively. ]]> 2021-08-23 17:21:41 UTC https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691575615 Strategies to Help Support Independent Work Time https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691696096 We need to help guide students into being independent and critical thinkers. We can help students learn how to set attainable goals and to plan out what they want to do and how to do it. Figure out what their end goal is, then break it down into multiple steps to make it easier to visualize and complete. Students learning how to peer-review and self-assess can also be monumentally helpful in helping them become more independent and critical thinkers. 

A great resource is: "10 Effective Ways to Foster Students' Independent Thinking Skills"
https://wabisabilearning.com/blogs/inquiry/10-ways-foster-independent-thinking-skills]]> 2021-08-23 17:36:14 UTC https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691696096 Google Classroom https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691697236 You can use google classroom to have students complete assignments (i.e. docs, slideshows, etc.) independently or in assigned groups. 

Since the assignment is posted in your google classroom you can view what students are doing live on the documents as they work on them (even if the work has not been "turned in" yet). You would access this by clicking on the assignment in google classroom and then clicking on the number "assigned" to students this will open up the "Student Work" Page where you can click on each student's name and view their document.

This allows you to view the digital progress of students in completing the work assigned to them on your computer. 

]]> 2021-08-23 17:36:56 UTC https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691697236 https://learn.cli.org/best-practices/independent-work-time/overview https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691700092 This article talks about the importance of modeling positive work habits so students know what is expected of them during these times of the day.]]> 2021-08-23 17:38:23 UTC https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691700092 Timers https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691702535 Time is such an abstract concept to many scholars. Through the usage of timers, it makes chunks of the lessons more finite. ]]> 2021-08-23 17:39:25 UTC https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691702535 https://www.eschoolnews.com/ https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691707889 This article offers several suggestions to support independent work time... to make it more interesting to our students by giving them ownership of their learning experience.

]]> 2021-08-23 17:40:55 UTC https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691707889 https://www.edutopia.org/article/setting-norms-independent-work https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691711810 This resource is valuable because it discusses setting norms, routines, and expectations. It also discusses what independent work should look and sound like, and the importance of practice, debriefing, and reflection. ]]> 2021-08-23 17:41:56 UTC https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691711810 Shift in focus https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691712010 This article talks about the importance of shifting students' focus every 20 minutes during independent work time. It also recommends a movement break every hour. Stations can be a powerful tool to utilize in the classroom to allow for these shifts in focus and movement breaks.]]> 2021-08-23 17:41:59 UTC https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691712010 Use of timers, encouragement procedures, verbal feedback, have guiding worksheets during assignments with check ins and formative assessments. Formative assessments may help students stay on track. https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691716142 2021-08-23 17:44:08 UTC https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691716142 Differentiate the independent work! https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691717233 https://medium.com/lalilo/5-ways-to-get-your-class-to-work-independently-8bbc477f4bf7

This strategy allows for independent choice, time management, task management, modeling (where the teacher chooses two tasks and the student chooses two tasks), and the development of soft skills such as self-determination!

]]> 2021-08-23 17:44:40 UTC https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691717233 Background Music https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691717758 Use instrumental background music to indicate that students should be working independently. That way having music "off" will be a cue for students to bring their attention back to the teacher. ]]> 2021-08-23 17:44:59 UTC https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691717758 Strategies for independent work time https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691718986 Focus on tasks that give children the opportunity to read, write, and do word work. Gradually build and add on to centers over time. Start with centers such as independent reading and buddy reading. They require only a child and a book.

https://learn.cli.org › best-practices

]]> 2021-08-23 17:45:36 UTC https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691718986 https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691721523 From a SPED perspective - independent work time can be a huge challenge/roadblock for students. Some need to be explicitly taught how to BE students and many, perhaps especially those that are fresh out of elementary school, haven't had opportunities or been taught how to be independent. It's important to be aware of this. We may need to provide some heavy supports in the beginning and slowly fade that support over time. Structure is super important. Making sure you are providing the appropriate accommodations (which is up to ALL teachers) is essential (your friendly neighborhood special education teacher will provide modifications - yes, there's a difference!) https://autismclassroomresources.com/why-structured-work-system/]]> 2021-08-23 17:47:06 UTC https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691721523 https://www.edutopia.org/article/guiding-students-be-independent-learners https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691722398 There are a few strategies mentioned in this article, but one strategy I thought would be helpful for scholars is to use some of the extra time to give them the chance to self-assess. It's important for students to be able to demonstrate what they learned not only to themselves but to other students. More than just show what they learned, I believe that we can use this time to give students a chance to self-reflect and think about the work they did, if they're satisfied with the results, what challenges they faced during their work, etc. Being able to summarize their learning and identify what worked well for them as well as the issues they had in the process will be an incredibly beneficial skill as they continue on into college courses. The article also talks about setting goals and inspiring motivation, which go hand-in-hand with this idea.]]> 2021-08-23 17:47:38 UTC https://padlet.com/nhait2/8iivdyq1oob4lmbp/wish/1691722398