A significant hidden inhibitor of student performance in today’s schools is idle time in the classroom. By October, the norm in far too many classrooms is, “late to start / early to finish.”  This may seem insignificant to some, but consider the math, as highlighted in this example.

Take a typical secondary campus with an 8-period day.  This campus probably has 48-minute class periods.

If the teacher waits 4 minutes after the bell to begin instruction and stops instruction 4 minutes prior to the bell so students can prepare to leave then there is a minimum of 8 minutes of idle time, per class period.

So what do these 8 minutes represent?

8 minutes are a lost 17% of the class time.

8 minutes are 64 minutes of lost instruction per day.

8 minutes are 320 minutes of lost instruction per week.

8 minutes are 11,520 minutes of lost instruction per year. Which equates to 30 instructional days.

So the question really becomes, “What could you and your students accomplish with an extra 30 days of instruction?” 

Think. Work. Achieve. Your turn…

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: Illinois ASCD Fall Conference (Multiple Presentations), Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association Fall AP Conference, The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Multiple Presentations) 
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