Mini-Lesson Expectations

Overview

A mini-lesson helps maintain continuity of learning when a student is absent from a scheduled session. Because sessions are automatically recorded, students who miss class have access to instruction they can review later.

If a scheduled session has no student attendance, educators are expected to remain in the classroom and deliver a recorded mini-lesson. Meeting these expectations is part of fulfilling the scheduled instructional assignment and is required for compensation in accordance with the Fullmind Educator Compensation Explainer.

When is a Mini-Lesson Required?

A mini-lesson is required whenever:

You have a scheduled instructional session.
No student joins the session.
The session remains on your schedule.

If a student joins the session before you begin your mini-lesson, transition to live instruction instead of recording it.

If no students attend, begin your mini-lesson during the final 15-20 minutes of the scheduled session.

You are expected to remain in the classroom for the entire scheduled session.

What Should a Mini-Lesson Include?

A Fullmind mini-lesson should primarily consist of direct instruction or explicit teaching. The majority of the lesson should involve you actively teaching rather than displaying passive content.

Examples include:

Explaining a new concept
Modeling how to solve a problem
Demonstrating a reading or writing strategy
Teaching an academic skill
Reviewing a previously taught concept
Walking students through worked examples

Instruction should align with:

the assigned subject area,
the student's grade level, and
applicable state standards whenever possible.

For assignments such as Homework Help or Virtual Suspension Room, select an appropriate standards-aligned topic that would benefit students in that grade level and subject area.

Recommended Mini-Lesson Structure

A strong mini-lesson typically includes four parts.

1. Teach

Introduce the learning objective or concept.
Clearly explain what students should know or be able to do.

2. Model

Demonstrate your thinking.
Solve an example, annotate text, complete a sample problem, or model the strategy aloud.

3. Guided Practice

Provide an opportunity for students watching the recording to practice.

Examples include:

"Pause the recording and solve this problem."
"Identify the main idea before continuing."
"Write your answer before I reveal mine."

4. Connect

Summarize the key learning.
Explain how the concept connects to previous learning or how students will use the skill in future lessons.

Best Practices

Effective mini-lessons are:

Focused on one key learning objective.
Appropriate for the student's grade level.
Standards-aligned whenever possible.
Interactive through think-alouds, questioning, or guided practice.
Clearly modeled with examples.
Easy for students to follow independently when viewing the recording later.

Whenever possible:

Explain common misconceptions.
Show your thinking while solving problems.
Encourage students to pause the recording and try independently before revealing answers.

Appropriate Use of Videos

Videos should supplement instruction, not replace it.

If using a video:

Limit the video to 5 minutes or less.
Pause to explain important ideas.
Discuss the content with your own instruction.
Continue teaching after the video ends.

Showing a video for the majority or entirety of a mini-lesson does not meet Fullmind expectations and constitutes a violation of policy.

Recording Your Mini-Lesson

Every BigBlueButton session is automatically recorded.

If no students have joined the session:

Remain in the classroom.
Turn on your camera.
Unmute your microphone.
Begin teaching during the final 15-20 minutes of the scheduled session.
Deliver a minimum 15-minute mini-lesson.
Remain in the classroom until the scheduled session ends.

Do not leave the classroom or allow your computer to enter sleep mode. Sessions automatically end if no educator is present for more than 10 minutes.

If your session ends early, please contact Customer Support via Live Chat!

After the Session

After completing your mini-lesson:

Send the student a message using the internal LMS messaging system.
Briefly summarize what was taught.
Encourage the student to review the recording.
Remind the student of the date and time of the next scheduled session.

Consistent follow-up helps students stay engaged and supports continuity of learning.

Compensation Reminder

To remain eligible for compensation when no students attend a scheduled session, educators are expected to:

Attend the scheduled session.
Remain present for the full scheduled session.
Deliver a recorded mini-lesson that includes at least 15 minutes of direct instruction.
Follow all expectations outlined in this article and in the Fullmind Educator Compensation Explainer.

Failure to complete a required qualifying mini-lesson may affect compensation for that scheduled session.

Mini-lessons are essential for ensuring continuity in student learning, even when students are absent from a session. Fullmind expects educators to deliver a mini-lesson in any scheduled session where students do not attend. This not only ensures you are compensated for your time, but also provides a valuable opportunity to reinforce key concepts, model effective strategies, and leave students with actionable learning points.

A mini-lesson is required for all sessions when a student is not present. As long as the session(s) are listed on your schedule, educators must attend and leave a mini-lesson to be compensated for their time. A Fullmind mini-lesson must include direct instruction or explicit teaching techniques for the majority of the 15-minute mini-lesson. Mini-lessons should be performed at the end of a class.