Practical Teaching Strategies for BLOCK SCHEDULE Classes (Grades 6-12) Presented by Janice Davis Outstanding Secondary Block Schedule Teacher and National Presenter

Specifically Designed for Educators Using or Considering Block Scheduling, Grades 6-12

• Practical strategies for making the most effective use of extended class periods
• What really works in successful block classes – tried-and-true examples of differentiated activities for more impactful block lessons
• Proven strategies for keeping grades 6-12 students engaged throughout the whole block
• Demonstrations, examples, sample materials, and an extensive digital resource handbook packed with dozens of ideas you can use immediately in a block schedule format

Practical Ideas and Strategies

This unique seminar is designed to provide highly practical, ready-to-use strategies and activities for secondary educators who currently teach or are preparing to teach in a block schedule format. Highly experienced secondary block schedule teacher Janice Davis will present the key elements of creating effective block schedule lessons or units. The primary focus of this seminar is on the area many schools find most challenging – specifically, how to maximize the effective use of extended class periods. Explore practical ways to motivate, challenge and keep your secondary students on task and productively engaged. Numerous examples of how these advanced techniques can be incorporated into the various disciplines will be modeled throughout the day. You'll leave this engaging, hands-on seminar with a wealth of practical ideas, greater confidence in your block schedule teaching skills, and a valuable digital resource handbook filled with materials and activities you can use immediately.

Ten Key Benefits of Attending

1. Practical Strategies for Effective Classroom Management in a Block Schedule
   Learn specific strategies to enhance varied learning preferences and keep students on task and engaged during longer blocks of instructional time
2. Expand Your Teaching Options Within a Block Schedule
   Take full advantage of the valuable time provided by block schedules … Discover a variety of practical, proven strategies you can use immediately
3. The Key Components of a Successful Block Schedule Program
   Learn what all secondary teachers need to know as they implement a new block schedule format or strive to enhance an existing one
4. Maximize the Benefits of Extended Class Periods
   Strengthen student success, motivation and interest while providing more opportunities for meaningful engagement with your content … Explore strategies for better supporting your struggling students in the block schedule
5. Strengthen Student Learning and Increase Higher-Order Thinking Skills
   Gain strategies for increasing the academic achievement of students in a block schedule format … Incorporate strategies and activities that challenge students to think and act creatively and foster richer, higher-order thought processes
6. Expand Your Teaching Repertoire With Time-Efficient Preparation
   Explore dynamic and easy-to-implement instructional strategies for the extended class period … These techniques are adaptable to all content areas and a wide variety of skill and ability levels, and are quick to utilize again and again
7. Extend and Enrich Your Existing Curriculum
   Learn advanced methods for adapting your curriculum to fit within a block schedule … Practical ideas for making your content more meaningful for your students
8. Maintain Student Focus in Extended Class Periods
   Discover innovative ideas and easy-to-use activities that will help maintain student focus throughout extended class periods
9. Design Effective Extended Class Period Lessons
   Planning effective lessons for longer class periods does not mean just more of the same . . . Learn practical tips and techniques for planning lessons that will help you get the most out of longer class periods
10. Receive an Extensive Block Schedule Digital Resource Handbook
    Your digital resource handbook will not only guide your learning during the seminar, but it will also provide extensive resources you can implement immediately into your own block schedule classroom

Outstanding Strategies You Can Use Immediately

Here's what you'll learn:

• Specific instructional techniques to keep students involved and actively learning in a block schedule format
• What a successful block class looks like with practical tips from block teachers around the country
• Innovative strategies to maximize learning in extended class settings
• Do's and don'ts of effective block schedule instruction
• Practical strategies to integrate multisensory learning activities into your block schedule classroom
• Specific instructional techniques to increase student attention, motivation, and success in block schedule classrooms
• Effective ways to create learning groups and manage transitions in extended class periods
• How to easily adapt your existing curriculum into the block format with varied scheduling options for the time you've been given
• Numerous ideas to strengthen support for struggling students within extended class periods
• Proven strategies that take full advantage of the extended period to increase the success of secondary students
• Effective methods for reducing discipline problems by increasing student focus and engagement over extended periods of time

A Message From Your Seminar Leader

Dear Colleague:

In all my years as a secondary educator, I can say with absolute certainty that extended class periods are my favorite method of instructional delivery. Though my first year teaching in block schedule was definitely a trial-and-error of sorts, yours doesn't have to be! I'm excited to share the very best of what I've discovered along my journey with you.

I have specifically designed this seminar to help you utilize a wide variety of instructional strategies and activities that make the best use of time in extended class periods. I want to help you motivate your students to achieve and maintain high academic standards through highly engaging instructional methods. We'll explore practical ways to increase students' participation, communication, collaboration, problem solving, and success in a block schedule.

Whether you're implementing a new block schedule format or striving to enhance an existing one, I want to offer you valuable strategies for maximizing the benefits of extended class periods. We'll look at ways to create lessons with multiple options in case you need to switch gears on a dime, make solid transitions within the block while maintaining continuity of the objectives, and outline lessons that weave multiple activities and instructional strategies into one block setting.

I want to help you and your students become excited about the amazing benefits of teaching and learning in this format. My goal is to share with you a wide variety of practical strategies, activities, and tools to make your block classroom highly effective so that you and your students can't wait to begin each day. I also want you to leave this seminar with a wealth of terrific ideas inspired by the day's conversations, explorations, and interactions.

I look forward to meeting you at the seminar!

Sincerely,
Janice Davis

P.S. The focus of our day together is on highly practical applications. You'll receive many ideas you will be able to use immediately in your own block classes.

Who Should Attend

Educators Using or Considering Block Scheduling, Grades 6-12

About BER Live Online Events

With the current health challenges, all BER in-person PD events are currently being presented in a Live Online format:

• Outstanding Instructors
  All programs are led by outstanding BER national trainers
• Extensive Resource Handbooks
  You'll have access to an extensive digital Resource Handbook before, during and after your seminar
• Highly Interactive
  You'll be able to ask questions in real time and interact with the instructor and other participants
• Program Guarantee
  As we have for 48 years, we guarantee the high quality of our programs. If you are not satisfied, we'll give you a 100% refund.

Special Benefits of Attending

Extensive Digital Resource Handbook
You will receive an extensive digital resource handbook specifically designed for this seminar. Included in the handbook are:

• Strategies for successfully working with secondary students in a block schedule while meeting their diverse learning needs
• Materials and resources to enhance your block schedule instruction
• Proven strategies for keeping grades 6-12 students engaged during the whole block
• Steps to guide your own implementation of block schedule lesson planning
• Effective models for organizing your time within extended class periods

For in-person seminars, registrants will also receive a printed copy of the resource handbook as long as their registration is received in the BER office at least 15 calendar days before the event.

Share Ideas
This seminar provides a wonderful opportunity for participants to share ideas with other educators interested in strengthening grades 6-12 student learning in block schedule classes.

Consultation Available
Janice Davis will be available for consultation regarding your questions and the unique needs of your own program.

Semester Credit Option
Up to four graduate level professional development credits are available with an additional fee and completion of follow-up practicum activities. Details for direct enrollment with University of Massachusetts Global, a nonprofit affiliate, will be available at this program.

Meet Inservice Requirements
Participants of both the Live Online Seminar and those completing the Recorded Version online can receive a certificate of participation that may be used to verify five continuing education hours. State CEUs are available for both versions of the course. For specific details, visit www.ber.org/ceus.

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