Thank you to those who responded. Here is what I received:
I am in a combined 7th grade - 12th grade public school. We were on a 4x4 block
for at least 5-6 years. We got a new principal who hated block scheduling. First
he changed our middle school to a traditional - 6 period day. We operated on a
split schedule for two years, 7th & 8th on that schedule and 9th-12th on block. It
was a nightmare. Last year our entire district decided that all secondary schools
would be 7 periods or block - school choice. Our principal decided that since the
middle school would change from 6 to 7 it was a good time for high school to change
to 7. So this year every grade level is 7 periods.
His rationale was that since 30% of our students are in intensive reading and or
math classes, block scheduling didn't support their remediation because they really
need the remedial classes all year and block generally means you finish a year
class in one semester either fall or spring. Also, we have had a lot of turnover
each year (he blames everything except
himself) and start off each year with many new teachers, who he claims don't know
how to teach in a block environment but he never offers any inservice opportunities.
I really miss block scheduling. Our English, Science, Art, Music, and pretty much
all except Math teachers hate 7 period day. They teach 5 periods and get 2
planning periods. Our classes are 48 min. long. We have no homeroom because they
don't want to make the classes any shorter. They do create homerooms for our
state-mandated testing, which means students go to a class they have never been to
with a teacher they don't know to take a high-stakes test.
We have a 7-period day with NO study halls. I started here in 1998, and a year or
two before that we went to a block schedule with two morning periods, a
lunch/seminar period, and two afternoon periods on an A/B day rotation. The
reasoning for that was to increase class time. About four or five years ago we went
to the 7-period day to increase class time.
For my money, a combination of block and regular scheduling would probably be the
best. Math and foreign languages would probably be best done on a daily basis,
while lab science and fine arts classes probably would work best with a larger
block of time.
When we had the block schedule, I'd break each block into four sections, so
teachers could sign up for whatever portion of the block they needed.
I had more library use then. Now I break each period into two portions, and once in
a while a teacher will sign up for just part of a period, but I rarely have two
teachers share a period - just not enough time.
Ours is actually an 8 period day. We have a split lunch period with Freshmen and
Sophomores going one period and Juniors and Seniors the other. We have
all periods each day. If we need to have early dismissal - for faculty
meetings, etc. we have shortened periods.
We actually have more schedules than that but those are the basic ones. We have
all classes every day, so if an event takes longer than is scheduled, the rest of
the day's classes may be shorter. I think the shortest class we ever had was 20
minutes. But that is enough time for a teacher to give a quiz, or go over an
assignment.
I have been in seven different school districts and I think I have experienced just
about every schedule that's out there. Right now I'm at a school that has a 6
period day with each class meeting every day. The pros to this schedule are
consistency and planning.
It's easier to plan when you don't have to think about which class meets on what
day. The biggest con is that the classes seem so short, and it's not as easy to do
projects that require bigger chunks of time for group work, labs, and/or
presentations.
I work in elementary,and we don't. But our jr. high and high schools both use 7
hour blocks. Everyone seems to like it that I have heard. They get 2 plan times.
One plan time is an individual time. The other plan time is a group plan time. I
have gone through this with my son. He is in ninth grade and has more elective
choices along with his curriculum. I'll answer any questions I can.
Our school runs a 6 period schedule: each student has 6 classes and goes to each
every day. It seems to work pretty well. You may notice my own post a few after
yours. We are looking at adding an advisory session into the schedule.
I hardly think about the schedule, because it's just "normal." Students can get
their required courses and electives. It's also flexible enough to fit in remedial
classes.
I don't hear teachers complaining about the 55 minute periods being too short. At
my old school teachers complained all the time about the block schedule classes
being way too long.
We are a spread out campus, almost like a college, but the 5 minute passing periods
are not too short for students to make it across campus.
our school day typically has 8 periods, with one period being lunch. There is a 0
period that is before the regular school day. We've done this with success and
much prefer it to block scheduling. However, new requirements by the state are
forcing us to rethink our school day. We're going to need to have 9 periods with
one period for lunch. The students will need to meet 8 classes per day. We are
contemplating whether to shorten the periods to 40 minutes and extend the school
day or go to a modified block. The problem we've had in the past with block
scheduling is that when a student is absent, he is actually missing 2 instructional
periods. I don't know which option we will choose. Best of luck with your choices.
Lisa Gonzalez
Librarian
Notre Dame High School
455 Palma Drive
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 751-1850 x252
lgonzalez@notredamesalinas.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
* LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home