The average length of the school day across the state and country is 6.5 hours. We thought it would be interesting to start looking at how other school districts in this state use their time. We are finding that many districts have more time for PE, recess/lunch, social studies, arts, etc. Feel free to add your thoughts or other info on districts. This schedule doesn't address class size or funding. As we know, the way IL funds education through a heavy reliance on property taxes causes inequity. Per pupil spending varies greatly in this state but it's still important to see what the kids in Chicago are getting now as we try and craft a better plan for next school year, and compare it to what other students in our state are getting in their school day.
Here's a 4th grade schedule from Orrington school in Evanston (6.5 hour day):
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TIME
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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9:05-9:40
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Morning Routine/Warm-up
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Morning Routine/Warm-up
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Morning Routine/Warm-up
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Morning Routine/Warm-up
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Morning Routine/Warm-up
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9:40-10:00
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Gym
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Gym
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Gym
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Gym
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Gym
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10:00-10:10
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Water Break
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Water Break
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Water Break
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Water Break
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Water Break
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10:10-10:50
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Fine Arts/Music
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Fine Arts/Library
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Fine Arts/Enrichment
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Math
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Fine Arts/Art
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10:50-11:20
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Writing Workshop
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Writing Workshop
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Writing Workshop
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Writing Workshop
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Writing Workshop
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11:20-12:00
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Reading
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Reading
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Reading
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Reading
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Reading
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12:00-12:20
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Recess
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Recess
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Recess
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Recess
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Recess
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12:20-12:45
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Lunch
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Lunch
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Lunch
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Lunch
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Lunch
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12:45-1:30
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Independent Reading
Read Aloud
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Independent Reading
Read Aloud
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Independent Reading
Read Aloud
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Independent Reading
Read Aloud
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Independent Reading
Read Aloud
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1:40-2:20
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Math
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Math
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Math
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Drama
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Math
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2:20-3:30
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Social Studies/Science
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Social Studies/Science
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Social Studies/Science
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Social Studies/Science
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Social Studies/Science
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3:30-3:35
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Dismissal Routine
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Dismissal Routine
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Dismissal Routine
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Dismissal Routine
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Dismissal Routine
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Her's a 3rd grade schedule from Devonshire school in Skokie (6hr15)
|
MONDAY |
TUESDAY |
WEDNESDAY |
THURSDAY |
FRIDAY |
||
|
8:45 |
Morning Business |
Morning Business |
Morning Business |
Morning Business |
Morning Business |
|
|
9:00 |
Guided Reading/Indep. Practice |
Guided Reading/Indep. Practice |
Guided Reading/Indep, Practice |
Guided Reading/Indep, Practice |
Guided Reading/Indep. Practice |
|
|
9:40 |
Phonics/ Vocabulary |
Phonics/ Vocabulary |
Phonics/ Vocabulary |
Phonics/ Vocabulary |
Phonics/ Vocabulary |
|
|
10:00 |
Recess |
Recess |
Recess |
Recess |
Recess |
|
|
10:15 |
Snack/Read Aloud |
Snack/Read Aloud |
Snack/Read Aloud |
Snack/Read Aloud |
Snack/Read Aloud |
|
|
10:30 |
Gym |
Music |
Shared Reading Comprehension |
Gym |
Shared Reading Comprehension |
|
|
11:00 |
Number Corner & Math |
Number Corner & Math |
Number Corner & Math |
Number Corner & Math |
Number Corner & Math |
|
|
12:05 |
Recess/Lunch |
Recess/Lunch |
Recess/Lunch |
Recess/Lunch |
Recess/Lunch |
|
|
1:00 |
Shared Reading Comprehension |
Shared Reading Comprehension |
Science/Social Studies |
Writing |
Music |
|
|
1:30 |
Writing |
Library |
Gym |
Writing |
||
|
2:00 |
Science/Social Studies
|
Writing |
Art 2:00-2:45
|
|||
|
2:30 |
Dismissal |
Science/Social Studies |
||||
| 2:45-3:00 Catch up | ||||||
|
3:00 |
XXXXXXXXXX |
Dismissal |
Dismissal |
Dismissal |
Dismissal |
Here's a 3rd grade schedule from River Valley School in Lemont, IL (6hr15min)
Schedule
9:00-10:00 Guided Reading
10:00-10:40 Writing
10:40-10:55 Recess
10:55-11:40 Modeled/Shared Reading
11:40-12:20 Lunch
12:30-1:00 Art (M) Music (Tu) Handwriting (W) 2nd Step (TH) Computers (F)
1:00-2:00 Math
2:00-2:40 Social Studies/Science (M/W/TH/F)
2:05-2:25 Library Checkout (Tu)
2:45-3:05 PE
3:15 Dismissal
This is from a 3rd grade class in Mt. Prospect:
Morning
8:50-9:10 Attendance, Pledge, and Announcements
*Daily Announcements can be viewed by Parents and Students at home by visiting the
Lions Park Home Page
9:10-10:20 Literacy Block : Shared Reading, Literacy Skills, and Daily 5 Workshop
10:20-10-35 Recess
10:50-11-50 Literacy Block Spelling and Guided Reading
*P.E. Tuesday and Thursday at 10:50 *Music Wednesday and Friday at 11:20
Lunch / Lunch Recess 11:50-12:50
Afternoon
12:50-1:20 Writing Mini Lesson/ Writing
1:20-1:50 Science / Social Studies
1:50-2:50 Math
2:50-3:15 I Time/ Individual Skill Time
3:20 Dismissal
* LRC on Monday *Art on Tuesday *P.E. on Wednesday