Impossible Timetable

[mrflynn6]

No: HPFGUIDX 38479

In my re-reading of SS/PS p 133 of the American paperback Harry 
describes a bit of his schedule.  Astronomy happens every Wednesday 
night, Herbology is only 3 days/week.  In PoA, p 315 of the American 
hardcover they show Hermione's schedule for exams: 9 o'clock 
Arithmancy, 9 o'clock Transfiguration, Lunch, 1 o'clock Charms, 1 
o'clock Ancient Runes.

 Not all the classes meet every day.  It is also possible that other 
years or houses start earlier than 9:00.  We also know that in SS, 
HRH had Friday afternoons off after Potions (Hagrid invited Harry for 
tea to see how his first week went).  On page 139 of the the above 
SS, Harry describes how they "climbed out of the dungeon an hour 
later" suggesting that their class was an hour long.

My best educated guess is that classes run for close to an hour, 
exams scheduled for close to 2 hour slots (probably leaving 10 
minutes or so between classes to get back and forth).  With a 
schedule like this for the students, teachers could teach 5 
classes/day and still have "free time" for prep work, etc.  I was a 
teacher and taught 6 classes daily between 8-3.  Considering that the 
same subject matter is being taught to each year from each house (all 
the first years learning the same material, all the 5th years 
learning the same material), this isn't such an impossible timetable.


Gretchen