Block Scheduling

BRIEF SUMMARY

Love it or hate it, scheduling is a huge task in middle and high school and much of it often falls on us. Block scheduling replaces traditional schedules in that classes meet for longer periods of time less often.

KEY POINTS

  • While longer blocks of time are useful for lab-based classes, they may be too long for lectures. Many teachers find it helpful to break it up into 30 minute chunks of lecture and activity.
  • Block scheduling allows students to get more credits per semester so they can take a study hall or elective.

SHARED WISDOM

  • Block scheduling allows for more time to complete homework for busy students, such as athletes.  The kids also like having a day in between classes so if they attempted the assignment and got stuck, they can go see the teacher before or after school or during a passing period to get help.  They then still have that night to do it before class the following day.
  • One caution: block scheduling makes it easier for students to procrastinate so teaching time management is important. We emphasize the importance of using your agenda book, doing black day homework on black days and gold day homework on gold days, etc.
  • As a counselor, with regard to my students, they have 64 crediting opportunities.  If they fail a math class or two, we will be okay.  Also, it allows for students to attend our Career Center, to have jobs, and to participate in sports without being so overwhelmed.  They have homework in four classes a night versus 7.  It makes a huge difference.  In my opinion, there are zero negatives with regard to the block.
  • Speaking as a parent, it allowed my daughter to graduate at the end of her junior year and to earn the Mitch Daniels early graduation scholarship ($4,000)-which helped with paying for her first year of college.  She will be 20 in August and will be graduating with a degree in Dental Hygiene from IUPUI in December.  My step-daughter graduated mid-term her senior year, and it allowed her to work for an entire semester in a vet’s office before she left for Purdue.  It solidified for her that she wanted to pursue a career as a vet, and allowed her to save up some money before leaving for college.  Each girl took multiple dual credits with them to college; so, graduating early did not hinder in that area.  They have both performed very well in college.  The block allowed them to take a variety of ACP, dual credit, and upper level courses.  It allowed them to be super prepared, but to remain sane since they had room in their schedules for a study hall.
  • Student information systems: Synergy works with block scheduling. Skyward, not a fan.  Harmony is awesome.  They have done an excellent job setting up Pathways. Very user friendly, and the staff is easily accessible to help you with issues-whereas, I am not allowed to call Skyward for help.   Powerschool is okay.

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  • 1StopABCD on January 25, 2019 @ 20:27:26
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  • Mary on April 30, 2018 @ 17:43:08
  • Heather on August 5, 2016 @ 21:18:33

This post was created by ABCD ContentManager on August 5, 2016.