Remember kids, lunch is a sprint, not a marathon

Mrs. Greene and Mr. Larsen's Daily Schedule:

7:30AM- Arrive at School
8:00AM- 9:22AM- Block A- 7th Grade Science
9:25AM- 10:06AM- Prep
10:09AM- 10:50AM- Intervention- Math with 2 students
10:53AM- 12:15PM- Block B- 7th Grade Science
12:18PM-12:32PM- Open Gym
12:35PM- 12:50PM- Homeroom- 8th Grade
12:53PM- 1:05PM- Lunch
1:08PM- 2:30PM- Block C- 8th Grade Science

A few things to note:

#1 I never go back to back teaching
     -This comes in handy when the first class of the day doesn't go so well (more common than I'd like.....)  This gives me time to modify ( or entirely re-write) a lesson

     - Also is nice that after a class is taught you have breathing time to psych yourself up for the next class.  Middle school is exhausting

#2 Block Scheduling
     - Pro- 82 minutes of class is awesome- you can get so much done in a class period!!!
     -Con- You also have to plan a minimum of 3, if not 4 different activities every day, or you will lose your students to adolescent distractions

#3 15 MINUTES FOR LUNCH!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!!

     Here's the play-by-play of lunch today

12:48- Let homeroom out a bit early to try and sneak more time in
12:51- Finally left the classroom after chatting with Ms. Greene
12:51- Power-walked across the gym where the 7th graders were having open-gym time- almost got hit by 3 basketballs........
12:53- Food in hand! I had to cut the line in front of the 8th graders....oh the joys of being a teacher
12:54- Arrived in the teacher's lounge sat down and started eating
12:55- Tried to have a full-mouth conversation with Mr. Gillaspie- pretty much the only other Male I talk to on a regular basis
12:58- Only one egg roll down, time to make a push for the finish!
1:02- 2 egg rolls down, working on vegetables (I try to be healthy but times like these called for sustenance before health)
1:03- Ms. Green says "Oh shoot! we have to go get the kids!"
1:04- Milk is mostly down, dinner roll in hand, powerwalk to student lunchroom to pick up 8th graders
1:06- Arrive at student lunchroom to see last students powering down their meals- how they got it all down I will never know......
1:09- Starting class.....only 1 minute late

Now, previous experience I have gleaned some tips, so here you go:
- Always strategize what you want to eat and what you need to eat.  Some days are burrito-first, those are need to eat days.  Some days are vegetable first- you gotta try to be healthy sometimes
- Take an apple from the cafeteria in the morning, eat it during prep or gym.  This helps offset the amount you feel like you have to cram down in 15 minutes
- Talking is optional, the other teachers understand that you have 15 minutes- you have to try and be polite, but nobody will judge if you just silently shovel


Well folks, hope this helps just in case you also have a 15 minute lunchbreak.

Stay warm,

Peter

Quote of the Day:  "I found out today that my ELL (English Language Learner) student likes it better when we play games than when we do worksheets!"  Katrina Schroeder.  Admittedly it is a bit out of context, but Jess and I laughed for a good while about this one.