Dead Time --What is it, and what do I do about it?

 

“Dead” means lifeless, nothing is happening and in a classroom, it’s time being wasted...

Have groups discuss what ‘dead time’ could mean in their classroom, when does it occur...

 

Definition:  Dead Time is classroom-learning time that is not utilized for learning. 

Examples: The teacher is delayed in arriving to class, and students are chatting and ‘goofing off’ or students arrive to class early and are not involved with anything educational.  A student finishes his/her work early and is sitting doing nothing or wandering around the classroom.  Students are waiting for lunch, a program to begin…

 

Establishing a routine to avoid ‘dead time’ can add valuable learning time to a student’s school day.

 

Steps for establishing “dead time” routines:

·        Discuss and determine with students when “dead time” is found during the school day.

·        Discuss with students some possible options for independent learning activities.

(what to do when they think there’s nothing else to do)

·        List them on the chalkboard. 

·        Construct reminder posters with the activities and review periodically.

·        Tell students what you want to see when you walk in.  Tell students what an “independent learner” or  an “on task” classroom looks like.  MODEL IT!!

 

It is crucial to reinforce students when they are working independently and to continually review and re-teach what they should be doing to avoid ‘dead time’.