Related Posts
New here! Can you please like my post :)
Mentor
Additional Posts in Math Educators
a High School Algebra Teacher
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
Sign Up to see all discussions
- Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
- Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
- Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
"" is an unusual email domain. If correct, please proceed to the next step
Messaging rates may apply
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Share
Embed this post
Copy and paste embed code on your site
Preview
Download the
Fishbowl app
Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile
Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl
Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl
Messaging rates may apply
We are an 8 block schedule school and it’s great! We do have a few classes that are year long. They are divided into a Foundations class for the Fall semester and then the second half of the curriculum is taught and State tested in the Spring semester.
Change is difficult. I remember changing from a traditional 7 pd day (teaching 5 of 7) to a modified block with W/Th as block days. It was difficult to change but after 30 years of doing that, I LOVE it.
Is your 8 pd block consisting of 4 classes for 90 minutes each period each day of the week? In other words, students complete an entire year of math in one semester? Under that scenario, I have seen schools have math last all year. However, 90 minutes of math every day for the entire year is quite grueling and I say that as someone who has two math degrees and loves math. It also makes it very difficult for AP classes. Imagine having an entire year of AP xxxx in the fall semester and then trying to sit for that exam in the spring.
However, I do not think the block schedule is good for every day of the week. Most students need the time for that independent practice outside of school. Their attention span is not there for an entire block every day. A slower, steady pace allows for the ideas to maturate and for the student to really grasp the concepts for a longer period of time.
The feedback that I have received from teachers, parents, and students who have had this type of schedule say that they don't really accomplish more in class. In many cases, the teacher is forced to find a "fun" activity to help break up the time. The activity is often "forced" and not a natural extension of the curriculum.
Some subjects like it because they can do a lab or watch a movie during the 90 minute class. However, my science and English teacher friends have even said they do not like it every day.
Change is scary! What are the biggest concerns over going to the new schedule?
We did this but did not change the pacing for math. Math was all year since so many kids needed extra math help. Worked great but now we are back to traditional. Too much prep time for teachers on block scheduling.
It really depends on what you teach. Some subjects do well with longer periods and some very much do not. It is not a one size fits all fix.
It sounds like the move is from a 6 prep schedule to an 8 prep schedule, which I would find much more concerning. More preps is seldom better for the teacher, though if there are multiples the same and you are able to get class sizes down, there could be a benefit.
It seems to me that the issue is deeper than the info you were able to provide. My gut response as a math teacher would be to vote no.
At the high school level, that is all I have done. 4 periods a day with an A and B day. We have worked to combine lessons so we cover 2 days worth of info in one day and I am still able to give them some time to work on assignments. The problem becomes every other week you go from Thursday to Monday before having class again and some of the students “forget” what you have taught. I do miss seeing my students every day.