YEAR ROUND SCHOOL SAMPLE
Outline of Lesson Plans for Technology Project
*Teachers, these are very basic lesson outlines for the technology project.
They can be used for your planning purposes, but adjust them to your needs
and time allotments.
Day 1





Give students some background on year-round schools (what they are,
how they work).
Introduce project to students.
Pass out pro/con chart and model how to fill out with examples from
year-round schools.
Using laptops or computers, have students begin researching topic
using designated websites.
-www.boyslife.org/polls/school/
-http://www.bctf.bc.ca/education/yrs/StudentLearning.html/
-www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S0001241.shtml
-www.youdebtate.com/DEBATES/year-round_school/HTM
Complete pro/con chart for year-round schools.
Day 2





Review background of year-round schools.
Share pros/cons from chart with whole group. Add ideas to individual
charts as needed.
Choose position for persuasive paper (i.e. Year round schools are a
good idea.)
Pass out graphic organizers, and model filling them out using examples.
Have students complete graphic organizers that support their position
on year-round school.
Day 3


Review position on year round schools using graphic organizer.
Introduce/review PowerPoint basics.



Model creating slides using text/graphics only. Reinforce format of
PowerPoint (no complete sentences, etc.)
Using graphic organizer, have students create persuasive slides.
Focus on text/charts/graphics only. Encourage them to follow
PowerPoint format.
Have students proofread and spell check all slides.
Day 4





Review PowerPoint format.
Introduce/review enhancing slides by adding background,
transitions, sound effects and animation to slides.
Model how to enhance slides. Focus on appropriate enhancement
(no glass breaking for each new idea, one consistent background,
etc.)
Have students enhance their slides appropriately.
When enhancing is complete, show students how to view slide show.
If they want to make any changes, explain how to go back and
change slides.
Day 5


Review PowerPoint as a speaking tool. Model using PowerPoint to give a
speech. Focus on good techniques (making eye contact, not reading
directly from slides, speaking at an appropriate volume, etc.)
Have students practice giving persuasive speeches using their created
PowerPoint slides. Encourage them to use good speaking techniques
and to not read directly from their slides.
Day 6 (and more, if needed)





Review using PowerPoint effectively to deliver a speech
Have students present their PowerPoint presentation and give
persuasive speech on year round schools
Evaluate students as they speak using criteria (your own or
provided sample)
Have students give peer feedback to each other after
presentations
Have students self-assess own performance
Pros and Cons Organizer
Topic: Year Round School
Pros
More breaks throughout the
year, which keeps students
and teachers motivated
Cons
Shorter summer break
More breaks also allow
families to take vacations
throughout the year
If parents work, they need to
find child care during the
breaks
Raises test scores, as there is
no break in learning
Many older students need the
summer to find a job
Instills idea that learning is
continuous, not separated out
by summer break
If parents have children at
other schools, it may be hard
to organize schedules
Break sessions allow for
Have to air condition schools
struggling students to get help during summer, which can be
every 9 weeks, instead of
expensive
waiting until summer
Not as much language lost for Can have a summer school
ELL students
session for students in need
Introduction
Focus of paper: state your position:
Year round schools are beneficial for everyone—teachers, students, and pa
Focus: 1st reason
Focus: 2nd reason
Focus: 3rd r
Teachers will benefit from year round
schools
Children will benefit from year round
schools
Parents will be
schools
E
X
A
M
P
L
E
S
Motivation stays high and
teachers don’t get burned
out
Less time spent on review
and more time spent on
teaching and learning new
concepts
Can raise test scores
Can ha
vacatio
Motivation is high
E
X
A
M
P
L
E
S
Can get help every nine
weeks instead of waiting
until summer
Less language lost for ELL
students
E
X
A
M
P
L
E
S
More s
school
Can he
care co
year
Closing
Year round school is beneficial for everyone, including teachers, students, a
parents.