Indicator

II. A. 3

There are no inefficient delays in organizational or teaching and learning activities.

 

Definition(s) and/or Explanations

Inefficient delays are situations that waste time for learning and may result from the following:

  • Organizational activities - necessary routines that are not related to teaching and learning (collection of money, school announcements, etc.)
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  • Undesirable digressions - significant, unplanned departures from teaching and learning topics or activities. Not all digressions are undesirable; some may be teachable moments.
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  • Interruptions - breaks in the continuity of the lesson that are beyond the teacher's control
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  • Lengthy clarifications - elaborate explanations for one or a few learners that do not benefit the group as a whole
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  • Inefficient transitions - changes from one teaching and learning activity to another that waste time

Classroom Examples

Elementary

  1. During a lesson on dinosaurs, while discussing Tyrannosaurus rex, a learner identifies the word Rex with the family's pet dog that bears the same name. Before the class becomes distracted, the teacher acknowledges the comment and moves learners back to the lesson.
    2.  
  2. While learners are on -task, a parent arrives to the classroom without an appointment. Learners remain on-task while the teacher requests that the parent make an appointment to meet at a more convenient time.
    3.  
  3. After a math lecture/discussion on double digit addition, learners commence working independently while the teacher assists those who need further clarification.
    4.  
  4. Learners transition from reading to math efficiently by returning reading materials and, at the same time, retrieving math materials.
Secondary

While learners are working, announcements from the intercom begin. Learners listen quietly and resume working at the end of the message.

  1. During a foreign language vocabulary lesson, one of the words being discussed is roller coaster. A learner reflects at length about an experience in an amusement park, encouraging others to do the same. After acknowledging two or three comments, the teacher redirects the class back to the vocabulary lesson.
  1. In a social studies lesson on longitude and latitude, some learners quickly grasp the concept while a few do not. As the class proceeds with a geography hunt, some learners who understand the concept volunteer to assist those who do not.
    2.  
  2. In a science class where the teacher is making a transition from lecture to cooperative learning group activities, learners quickly move to previously designated groups by the count of five.

New

Elementary and Secondary

Learners pick up workbooks from the front desk of each row and deposit home learning in a basket. They identify page assignments on the board and begin to work as the teacher takes attendance and collects home learning. They deposit the home-learning assignment in a basket next to the stack of workbooks.

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