Updated
One Student, One Standard, One Lesson at a Time
Every student deserves instruction that meets them where they are, and in Manteca Unified, that’s exactly what they get. Known districtwide as “Branded Time”, this daily 30-minute block is built into the school day at every elementary site to provide targeted support based on each student’s individual needs.
While the name may vary, like “AMP (Access and Mastery Period) Time” at Brock Elliott Elementary, the purpose is the same: to ensure every learner receives the right instruction at the right moment, whether they need reteaching, extra practice, or further enrichment.
“Every student gets what they need, when they need it,” said Lisa Goodwin, Director of Innovation and Improvement. “That is the goal of Branded Time. It is designed to meet students where they are and move them forward, regardless of their starting point.”
Students first receive grade-level, standards-based instruction during regular class time. Branded Time builds on that foundation, with teachers using real-time data to group students flexibly and deliver tailored lessons in small settings, often with support from the school’s instructional specialist.
At Brock Elliott, for example, the second-grade team meets weekly as a Professional Learning Community (PLC) to analyze assessment data, such as MAP scores, small group observations, and independent work, ensuring an accurate picture of each child’s learning.
Based on that data, students are grouped and re-grouped weekly to work on targeted skills. Activities range from collaborative problem-solving tasks to hands-on learning with tools such as base 10 blocks to represent numbers and help students understand place value.
For example, students who are approaching a math standard might practice basic mathematical formulas using hands-on learning tools, while students who are meeting or exceeding that same standard are applying those math concepts in a more advanced way.
“AMP Time is our ‘what you need to succeed’ time,” explained Brock Elliott Principal David Silveira. “It is built to give every student exactly what they need in that moment.”
Students know it's time to focus when Principal Silveira comes on the loudspeaker with his signature phrase: “AMP it up!” The announcement sets a positive, energized tone, getting students excited about their learning before it even begins.
Importantly, Branded Time isn’t for teaching new standards. It’s a focused time to reinforce or extend what students have already learned, helping teachers track progress toward grade-level standards in different ways.
Instructional Specialist Dani Janes credits the success of AMP Time to strong relationships and responsive teaching. “Teachers know their students, what motivates them, what challenges them, what they need next,” she said. “That knowledge is what makes AMP Time effective.”
This collaborative planning approach, rooted in LCAP Goal 1.8, is part of a broader systemwide effort to support students through strong systems and unified instructional practices.
Branded Time reflects Manteca Unified’s commitment to personalized education. More than a schedule, it’s a promise to meet each student with intention, respond to academic and emotional needs, and help every learner grow.
- Emerging Students