Here's How to Make Better Use of the School Day

School & District Management Opinion

Here's How to Make Better Use of the School Day

How much time should children spend in school, and how should that time be arranged? Over the years, Education Week鈥檚 opinion contributors鈥攅ducators, researchers, and policymakers鈥攈ave plumbed the depths of these questions, not always landing in the same place. In recent weeks, we reached out across our social-media channels to ask our readers, including teachers and school leaders, to describe the ideal school day were it unshackled from time constraints. Whether writing an essay or responding on social media, contributors agree in their excerpts below: Improving time-management practices could give a big boost to students and staff.

鈥淎s schools look for an answer to boost student attendance, performance, and engagement, making a change in start times for secondary students is an obvious solution.鈥�

David Polochanin, 鈥�We Already Know School Starts Too Early. It鈥檚 Time to Do Something About It,鈥� Education Week.

鈥淨uality and not quantity of classroom time is what appears to determine real and meaningful learning. Either block scheduling ... or traditional schedules are well able to deliver quality.鈥�

Patrick F. Gould, 鈥�Scheduling Choice,鈥� Education Week.

鈥淢astering the science and art of teaching guided by my student data.鈥�

Mary Kovari via Twitter

鈥淜ids are built to move. Having more time for unstructured outdoor play is like handing them a reset button. It not only helps to break up their day, but it also allows them to blow off steam, while giving them an opportunity to move and redirect their energy to something more meaningful once they return to the classroom.鈥�

Debbie Rhea, 鈥�Give 69传媒 Time to Play,鈥� Education Week.

鈥淐onstructive play in classroom and exploring surroundings to develop critical thinking for my pre-K 蝉迟耻诲别苍迟蝉.鈥�

Isidro Rodriguez via Twitter

鈥淢ore individual conference setting and goal setting with my 5th graders.鈥�

Jennifer Strapac via Twitter

鈥淧lay! It鈥檚 one of the most important parts of education, and we鈥檙e pushing it under the rug.鈥�

Mikayla Lowe via Twitter

鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 rush. I would answer all the questions and would ask for more in return.鈥�

L铆lia Vicente via LinkedIn

鈥淚 would focus a little more on soft skills, like having a strong work ethic, being dependable, having the right positive attitude, being self-motivated, being flexible, confident, etc.鈥�

Jennifer DeVore, M.Ed. via LinkedIn

鈥淥ften overlooked in gauging the impact of expanded-time schools on student learning is the equally beneficial effect that a longer day and year has on teachers. Within an expanded schedule, teachers typically have many more collaboration and professional-learning opportunities built into their workday. ... They also can augment instructional practice dramatically, and thus make their time with students even more valuable.鈥�

Jennifer Davis, 鈥�Give Teachers Time to Collaborate,鈥� Education Week.

鈥淚鈥檇 incorporate more reading time in the library with my students. That鈥檚 the one thing that gets left behind.鈥�

Ankita Tandon via LinkedIn

鈥淚f time were not an issue, I鈥檇 let my students design their perfect school day. And then I鈥檇 facilitate it.鈥�

Renee Schwartz via LinkedIn

鈥淲e teach students many academic subjects, but we do not teach them how to learn. If I had unlimited time at school, I would spend time showing my students how to become independent learners who own their own learning.鈥�

Afsaneh Miller via LinkedIn

鈥淭eaching students life skills like budgeting, paying taxes and bills, understanding the application process for college, jobs, etc. These things are so important but are never taught. Beyond that I would spend more time on topics the kids have a genuine interest in to foster a love of learning and growth.鈥�

Andrea Halvax via LinkedIn

鈥淗aving individual conversations with each child about topics unrelated to school.鈥�

Jade-Marie Robinson via LinkedIn