Creating a classroom schedule, para schedules and individual student schedules is essential to your classroom setup. By scheduling out the day, you are taking the first step to creating routines for your classroom. You, the paras and the students will know what you are doing and when you are doing it. This eases anxiety and frustration (for all!) and creates independence. This week we will go in-depth about classroom schedules. Specifically, we'll discuss two different types of schedules, general and detailed, and how to create them.

A classroom schedule will dictate what you, the paras and the students are doing throughout the day. This can be a puzzle and a lot of work, but once it's done, it will provide clarity to your day. When setting up your schedule, you will first decide if you want a classroom schedule that is general with detailed center rotations or a classroom schedule that is more detailed, with schedules for each individual student.

A general schedule works well if most of your students are with you for the majority of the day and your students' schedules are similar. If you're feeling overwhelmed by creating a classroom schedule, a general schedule is a great place to start. If you choose to create a general schedule for your classroom, you will need to create a more detailed center rotation schedule. This schedule will need the names and time blocks of your centers and the students who will be in each center at each time block.

General Schedule Example

Center Rotation Example

In the example below, the center rotation block is 1 hour with 15-minute centers. The centers are color-coded: blue, red, green and yellow. For this rotation block, the blue center will be reading direct-instruction, the red center is reading fluency, the green center is independent work and the yellow center is play. Students 1 and 2 will start in the blue center, then rotate to red, green and yellow.

A more detailed schedule is often required when you have a lot of moving pieces in your day. For example, if you have multiple grade levels with different elective times, if you have several therapy providers pulling students at different times of the day or if you have students coming and going.

Detailed Schedule Example

Step 1: Generate a list of centers you will have during center rotations

Step 2: Schedule in your nonnegotiable times, such as specials (electives), recess, lunch, and related service time

Step 3: Add in morning meeting

Step 4: Look for chunks of time to add in center rotations

Step 5: Try it and be prepared to make changes

If creating a classroom schedule seems overwhelming (don't worry you're not alone!), you can start with creating a general schedule or just schedule one part of your day. You can start with your first round of center rotations or the entire morning.

If your classroom schedule is done (yay!), double check your students' IEPs to ensure all of their services are scheduled, including sensory breaks and bathroom breaks. You can also take the time to create a "person down" schedule. So when you or a para is absent, your classroom doesn't miss a beat.

Next week, we will continue to discuss the second step in your classroom set up: Para Schedules!

1. Creating a classroom layout that is visually and physically defined ✔️
2. Providing, teaching and using schedules for EVERYONE
3. Providing, teaching and using visual supports
4. Explicitly teaching routines and expectations

Check out Dinosaur Land in Theme's First! Theme units include original songs, books, and activities that support students’ skill development and generalization with content that’s fun, accessible, and theme-based. These monthly units now include an expanded Social Studies suite, containing fun, theme-related activities that reinforce cultural engagement. Included in all Themes First! units are lessons, activities, and worksheets for group and independent work at a wide range of levels.

Date/Time: October 3rd, 2023 from 3:00-4:30 PM

Where: Virtual

Description: Join us for the first ASD EBP Webinar (formally known as STAR Webinars) of the 2023-2024 school year! During this webinar, we will discuss strategies to train paraprofessionals to provide individualized instruction in the classroom. Topics will include creating training time, creating paraprofessional schedules, and training paraprofessionals to run centers/stations. 1.5 CEUs will be provided.

Date/Time: October 25th, 2023 from 4:00-5:00 PM

Where: Virtual

Description: Take your classroom set up a step further by setting up structured centers in your classroom. Topics include different types of centers, setting up each center, teaching students to rotate through centers, and teaching paras to run centers.1CEU will be provided.

Feel free to contact me for any questions or concerns via email or phone. I'm also available to chat via Zoom Mondays from 7:30-8:00 AM and 3:00-3:30 PM. If these times do not work for your schedule, please email me and we will find a time that will work for both of us.

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