Hi Dave, The use of variety in your instructional delivery is important just as you have outlined. The mini-lecture format and then a discussion, Q&A session, etc. gives the students a mental break and helps to keep them engaged. As for breaks this all depends on the flow of the class. I like several shorter breaks myself though I don't make a big deal of how and when the breaks will occur because once I do the students start to watch the clock as we get closer to the announced break time. This means I lose valuable class time as the students start the early shut down. What I do is sense the flow of the class and then give breaks when I can see they are needed. I also may give one longer break in the middle of the class if we have been doing a number of activities or working in small groups. When students move to small groups they get up and move their chairs and organize themselves. This takes a few minutes and is really like a mini-break, plus the discussions in the small groups is a break from the lecture. In summary as for breaks, I feel you need to read the class and then offer them as needed to keep the focus of the students so there is not set time or amount of breaks in terms of a formula but more of feel for the class. Gary