Essay in 55 minutes?

Question

I teach on a block schedule, which means that classes are normally 75 minutes. However, Monday we have a pep rally at the beginning of the day, so classes are 55 minutes. My last period of the day will be doing a 5 paragraph in class essay that I normally would give 75 to do. I have already given them the topic and they can bring in a notecard with the thesis and quotes. Should I extend the time they are taking the essay to after school or should I cut down the number of paragraphs for that one class or should I do nothing? I was thinking of just seeing how it goes and telling the students at the end of class that if they need time they can stay after school for some time. please give advice!

Answer 1

Outline it, know it well, and write like hell.
Shouldn't be too hard

Answer 2

I think that is plenty of time. I'm a junior in high school, and I know that even when I was in middle school I could write a high quality essay in less amount of time. Giving them the allowence of the notecard will help them a lot and they won't spend as much time getting started.

Answer 3

Plenty of time, why not cut the time down in the other classes? High School students have such a stubborn sense of fairness.

Answer 4

You could have the students do the essay and if they are not finish. Tell them that you will allow about 15 minutes tomorrow to finish the essay.

Answer 5

i think if you gave them the topic already and told the students they cold use notecards...i think you've given enough.

i didn't learn much in high school when it came to writing so when i got into college, i failed....badly.

i think you're teaching a great lesson about responsibilty and time management

Answer 6

I asked my father, who teaches physics at a high school. He saide that unless you are teaching 3rd-6th graders, your plan sounds fine.