Daily Classroom Schedule

I want to spend some time answering a question I get asked a lot about “fitting it all in” to our overly crowded daily classroom schedule. One time, I had to make a blanket schedule for EVERY K-5 teacher in our district. They gave me specific things to include with time frames. For those of you who don't know, I am a systems girl. I can whip up a schedule or put a system in place in no time flat. However, this one was not possible.

So I went back to the powers that be, and I asked them to make the schedule. Hoping they would realize what they were asking of teachers was not possible.

I know teachers get asked to do the impossible daily. With the big push related to the Science of Reading, digital learning, and technology integration, how does it all fit together? So I thought sharing my schedule with you might help you as you plan for the new school year.

A Bit of Background

I've taught in the classroom for a total of twelve years. During that time, I've almost always had twenty-five students in my classroom. I've always taught in a self-contained classroom, so this schedule wouldn't work for those of you who departmentalize.

We have specialty classrooms everyday. This time is our planning period. We also have a few other classes such as Discovery, library, and counselor sprinkled in throughout the week.

Sample Daily Classroom Schedule

Here is my daily classroom schedule when I taught second grade two years ago. For the most part, my schedule is the same everyday.

• 7:45 – 8:15 – Morning Meeting
• 8:15-8:55 – Specialty Classes
• 8:55 – 9:25 – Phonics First
• 9:25 – 10:05 – Reading Workshop (Interactive Read-Alouds, Mentor Text Lessons)
• 10:05 – 11:15 – Reading Groups with Center Rotations
• 11:15 – 12:05 – Lunch/Recess
• 12:05 – 12:15 – Restroom
• 12:15 – 12:30 – Interactive Read-Aloud
• 12:30 – 1:00 – Writing Workshop/Grammar
• 1:00 – 2:00 – Math Workshop
• 2:00 – 2:30 – Science or Social Studies (I also integrated it within the day.)
• 2:30 – 2:40 – Prepare for Dismissal

I am so strict with my schedule Monday-Thursday but come Friday; we spend the day doing things we may not typically have time to do during the week. For example, after specials, my students participate in a STEM lesson. I have STEM challenges each month. It typically takes us four weeks to go through the challenge.

Another thing my students love to do is “Fun Friday“! Fun Friday is my student's favorite time of the week because they get free center time. Sometimes the centers are free choice, and other times students may participate in STEM, art, or coding centers.

Fun Friday centers are a great behavior incentive and allow me to pull intervention groups, work with kiddos one-on-one, or even get a bit of paperwork done so I can spend more time with my family on the weekends.

I hope my schedule helps you with the new school year. It can be hard to get it all in during the day but having a good plan is half the battle. If you'd like for me to go in a bit more detail about my schedule or have any questions, comment below and ask away.