Block Schedules Rock
From Eduwiki
Marcos, Mehmet, Melissa, Leticia
Though noble in theory, the No Child Left Behind mandate has so far meant raising the level of expectations for students and teachers in all aspects of work, from the amount of curricula required to be covered per semester, to the pressure of incorporating a plethora of strategies and theories from claimed experts to help students achieve conceptual understanding of their subject matter. To add to this already torrential education system, most schools function on schedules that allocate less than one hour per class for teachers to both teach and manage their classes. In spite of the many new schools opening and still under construction, class sizes remain at numbers that exceed a reasonable student to teacher ratio. The effect of this is two-fold, with teachers having to allocate more time into class management and less into teaching content, and students being denied the better potential of their classes. With less than an hour to work with, finding time to take students through a steady pace that affords teaching, practicing, reviewing, and in-class projects/activities all in one session, is nearly impossible without feeling pressure from the clock on the wall. Students need time to absorb the massive amounts of information given to them each day; it is not enough to have them wait until they are home doing homework to hope that it is happening there. They must be guided while being taught, have a chance to explore in a common environment with others, and still have time afterwards for review, to correct misunderstandings, and reflect upon what was learned.
Block scheduling provides a medium for accomplishing more in any given period. Under this system, most classes are at least ninety minutes long, with some being as much as one hundred-ten minutes. Though it may at first seem a ridiculous exageration for a class to run for that length of time, there are many merits it affords each period which cannot be equaled by traditional systems:
1. More time to review homework
2. More time for teaching: a) Exploratory exercises b) Projects c) Group activities d) Games e) In-school excursions to teach/reinforce with time left over for other activities
3. More time for teachers to clarify misunderstandings
4. More time for cooling-down exercises and reflections
5. Teachers feel less pressured for time
6. Students benefit from being in an environment that affords them greater time to grasp what is being presented to them and expected of them to learn.
7. In 4 x 4 block systems, students have only four classes per day, compared to five, six, or even seven at traditional schools. *Because their requirements for fulfilling high school are the same as anywhere, this more relaxed number of classes is offset by high expectations, as each semester is eight weeks long, compared to twenty weeks at traditional schools.*
8. In other block systems, students have six or seven classes, but each meets every other day, allowing greater time for students to complete assignments, while enhancing organizational and prioritizing skills in deciding which assignments require greater amounts of attention and time to complete. Furthermore, this flexibility enables students to seek help in completing assignments and in clarifying vague understandings prior to submitting work to teachers. This in turn means better quality work and comprehension.
9. Greater class time means students have more time to solidify healthy academic (and hopefully personal) relationships. A class where students feel interconnected accelerates forward in the same direction.
10. Greater class time means students have more time to solidify healthy academic relationships with their teachers. A class where students feel connected with their teacher accelerates forward in the same direction.
Though traditional system classes can undoubtedly meet some of these qualities, most are beyond a feasible means of achievement within a highly limited time frame. There are many teachers who prefer working in a traditional system because they favor shorter-length classes, are quite able to teach what is needed in that time, and who consider anything more than that to be unneccessary extra time. Nevertheless, it stands to reason that if as teachers we are to have students learn in environments that cater to multiple intelligences, skill levels, and different modalities of learning, the best choice would be the one which gives them the greatest amount of time every day for our methods to take effect, and for them to achieve at our levels of expectations.
Well everyone, that's about all I can come up with for now. Please let me know what you think, and feel free to add your own thoughts to it. See you all in tonight's class!
-Marcos
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Below is my take on the topic. I guess we can come together and combine our views into one but I just didnt want to do that by myself right now. (Mehmet)
Advantages for Students
* More time in classroom and less time in the halls. Students are more focused and feel safer and comfortable. * Fewer subjects to study and prepare for. * Fewer teachers and peers to get acquainted with. Better relationships, more success. * More time for in-class projects and variation and enhancement of activities. Possibly less homework, happier students :) * Go more in depth in particular subject matter. * More time to finish assignments. * More class offerings. * More chances to make up failed required classes. * Chance to reach required credits for graduating much faster.
Advantages for Teachers
* Less classes to prep for, more prep time. ( 3 classes/day vs 5, longer conference periods) * Class sizes reduce. * Less problems with classroom management. Teachers have more time to instill rules and procedures and easier to follow up with fewer students. * Fewer students in a day(about 90 vs 150) This has tremendous advantages all over including but not limited to less work to grade, fewer names to memorize, fewer parents to deal with etc..!. * Get to know students better, faster, more personally. * Easier to make more parent calls for positive or negative feedback. * More on-on-one time with students who need extra help and modification. * Flexibility with time. * More time for in class projects, technology involvement. * Less stressful environment. * More collaboration b/w teachers, again better relationships and less stress among teachers. * Chance to give more instant feedback to students after assignments. * Less time spent for administrative tasks such as roll taking, grading etc. * Increased content retention by students, less review time for teachers. * Encourages the use of innovative teaching methods that address multiple learning styles. * ..and the best of all; more vacation time= happier teacher= happier students= better education= BETTER WORLD!
Advantages for School
* Less transition times, less discipline issues. * More relaxed school environment. * Achievement levels of students increase. * Attitudes of students improve. * A stronger community establishment. * Lower drop out rates. * Scools can offer an extra year of schooling for FREE to students ans students can take college freshmen classes!
MORE READING FOR YOU:[1][2][3]
Enjoy,
Mehmet
Advantages For Teachers
Teaching is an art. Block scheduling can allow teachers to perform their art.Teachers will be able to :
1. Teach structured lessons that include an objective, standards alignment, anticipatory set, teaching (direct instruction), guided instruction, closure, and independent practice.
2. Provide a structured environment,yet flexible, since teachers will have the opportunity to do give more individualized attention.
3. Design and teach more engaging lessons, and hand-on activities that will allow students to understand the concepts and enjoy learning about them as well.
4. Provide more individualized attention and build character assets with their students.
5. Have more effective management skills. Since teacher's will spend more time with their students, teachers will get to know their students. They will also learn to motivate the class.
-Letty
