FORT LIARD - They're not in the military, but students in Class 2-3 at Echo Dene school in Fort Liard spend their school days following a schedule that's almost militarily precise, and they enjoy it.

Judy Bishop, the Class 2-3 teacher at Echo Dene school, gives Derrick Kotchea a few pointers for his math work. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

From Monday to Friday, the 15 students always know what's coming next in their class because they've been following the same schedule all year.

The schedule is a tool to help the students learn, said Judy Bishop, who teaches the class.

Starting at the beginning of the school year, Bishop introduced the students to their new daily routine. In the beginning it wasn't always easy, she said, but now the students have the comfort of always knowing what's coming next. They know the routine so well that they even line up without being told when it's time for a subject change.

"They are so into their routine," said Bishop, as the students worked on their math problems.

Every day starts off at 9 a.m. when the students sit in a circle and focus on a calendar, talking about upcoming events and reviewing the days of the week and the months of the year. Next is language arts class until 10:15 a.m. followed by a 15-minute recess.

When they're back inside, students do science or health and social studies on alternating days followed by Slavey lessons and then lunch at noon. Starting at one the students move through math, working in the computer room, gym and then special activities for the last 15 minutes of the day.

Even with the schedule, the class keeps Bishop on her feet all day.

"It's a full time job," said Bishop. "You're not only a teacher, you're a social worker and a mom and everything."

Going to the gym is the best part of Hunter Christmas' school day.

In February the class was learning how to play lacrosse. At first the game seemed easy, but it quickly became more difficult when students had to learn how to throw the ball up and catch it again in the pocket on the stick, said Christmas.

Following the daily routine isn't hard, said Christmas. It's a good way to have the class, he said.

Having a set routine is also fine for Derrick Kotchea.

Because he likes the activities throughout the day, Kotchea said the pattern is okay by him.

Kotchea enjoys going to the gym and working on programs in the computer lab, but when he's in the classroom, math is his favourite thing to do. He particularly enjoys adding and subtracting numbers.

Although he says being in Grade 2 is more difficult than Grade 1, Kotchea likes the challenge.

"Grade 1 was easy, but I like Grade 2 better," said Kotchea.