Thread: I'm new here...

I just left California, although I'll be back next Sept. if the promised contract here doesn't materialize quickly!

I'd have to do some research on that; I don't know if there is a standard state requirement, if different districts impose different "schedules," or if it is a school site thing; my school site did not impose a number of minutes, but a "pacing schedule" for our L.A. and math texts; it was up to us to make sure we got it all done on schedule. If we'd used as many minutes as dictated by our teacher's manuals, we would never have taught PE, science, social studies, art, had recess....it was all on us to "make it happen" in whatever time we could force it into.

I generally allowed 90 minutes a day (each) for L.A. and math, with some flexibility between the two, and forced everything else into the left-over time.

I think it depends on the school/district you teach at. In our district, we have to teach 2 1/2 hours of language arts, 45 minutes of English Language Development, 45 minutes of intervention for students who are below basic or far below basic in reading and/or math on the state test, and 60 minutes of math. Also, in our district, we're required to do 45 minutes of Universal access as part of the Houghton Mifflin reading program, in which we preteach or reteach certain skills based on need. It doesn't leave much time for P.E., science, or social studies, but right now our needs are greatest in the areas of reading and math. Hope this helps.