TPRS / CI and Block Scheduling

*Note: Someone recently emailed me a question about using Block Scheduling. I am no expert, but I found out how to make it work for me during the 3 years that I taught on the block. Here are some ideas that hopefully are helpful below.*

A few years ago I was forced (against my will) to teach on A/B block scheduling when I was hired at a new school. I was forced because it was a bomb dropped on me after I accepted the job (if I remember things correctly). I didn't even know to ask that question in the interview! Oops!

The way that block scheduling worked at that school was 90 minute periods, 4 a day. One day was A, then next day B. Early dismissal Wednesdays A or B alternated each week. So if there were no interruptions whatsoever, then in a two week cycle, I would see each class 5 times total. (One week Monday, Wednesday, Friday and then the next week Tuesday and Thursday).

When I first started it, I hated it. Then after I left it, I sort of missed it because I could more easily see the benefits (that I was able to get out of it). Although I still believe that every day instruction is better for acquiring language (shorter more often) than a big chunk every two days.

Volleyball reading explanation

So I like to do volleyball reading every once in awhile to get the kids up out of their seats and to interact with one another but still practicing what we're doing.

A nice way to do this is volleyball translation. I tweak it slightly to make it seem new. but the idea is the same.

Person A reads a sentence in Spanish.
Person B translates the sentence into English.
Person B reads the next sentence in Spanish.
Person A translates the sentence into English.
Etc...

In my class I often do it as an additional pass of a reading we've already done (or that will be relatively simple for them).

But I like to give instructions to my students in Spanish whenever possible, because life's too short!

Here's something I came up with that might help.



*feel free to use it in your class if you would like. I drew the objects so you have my permission to use it to explain volleyball reading.   Obviously, I noticed there were fewer problems when I did this than usual (for understanding expectations).

If you would like to change the language for your own classes / download a copy, click on the "google slides" part near the bottom and it should take you to the google doc, where you can download it through the "file" menu.'