Modified-Block Schedule

Am desperately in need of help!!!

Our administration (in an effort to increase test scores) has pushed for and received permission to have the middle school I work at move to a modified block schedule beginning this fall.  Our schedule will look something like this - Monday & Tuesday (six 53 minute classes), Wednesday (six 40 minute classes), & Thursday/Friday block schedule (three 106 minute classes).

While I have some ideas on how I will handle teaching my remedial reading classes I am unsure how to handle my technology classes.  For those on block or modified-block I would love some feedback with regard to:

• How do you keep students focused and working in front of computers for 106 minutes at a time?
• How do you use the beginning of the week to set-up the end of the week block schedule work?
• How do you use the beginning of the week to review the previous week's block schedule work?
• What tricks do you have to keep the class engaged?  What have you found doesn't work?

Any other thoughts or ideas would be greatly apprciated...

... Reading class ideas are also welcome! :)