Reply To: How long are your elementary music classes? Any transition time in between?

[nafmeadmin]

I have the following schedule:

MWF: five 30-min classes in the morning; 30-min lunch; 30-min plan; four 30-min classes in the afternoon (total of 9 classes)

TTh: four 30-min classes in the morning; 30-min lunch/recess duty; 30-min lunch; 30-min plan; four 30-min classes in the afternoon (total of 8 classes)

The MWF and TTh schedules switch days at the semester. For example, some classes have PE 3x per week and music 2x per week during first semester, and then it’s switched second semester.

So I have a total load of 17 classes that I see twice or three times per week, depending on what semester it is. Total, I teach 43 classes each week.

I have 5 minutes in between each class for the first time in four years. It’s a godsend to have a few minutes to re-set supplies, go to the bathroom, review the plan for the upcoming class, take care of discipline problems from the previous class (such as have a discussion with a student, fill out referrals/detentions), etc. In previous years (and on our bimonthly early dismissal professional development days) I didn’t have any time between classes. Our school day was extended by 30 minutes this year, which is how I’m able to have the gaps now.