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RE: [ap-stat] Modified Block
Posted:
Feb 14, 2008 6:49 PM
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Hello-
I know this thread is over a month old, but I finally had some time to write
down some of my thoughts on the issue. For my first 12 years I taught at a
school with a traditional schedule. This year I am at a school with a block
schedule. I am still new at it and I am sure that I will be able to do
things better in the future. But, for now...
First, I will describe the schedule we have at my new school. On mondays we
meet with every class for 50 minutes (we have an optional 0 period and
periods 1-6). On Tuesday and Thursdays, we meet with periods 1,3,5 for 90
minutes each. On Wednesdays and Fridays we meet with periods 2,4,6 for 90
minutes each. 0 period teachers can decide to meet either 3 or 4 times a
week (same total time). There is no zero period on Tuesday so we can have
meetings. The most novel part is that on Tuesday-Friday there is a 35
minute "tutorial" period at the end of the day. All teachers are in their
rooms and students can come in for help, make up tests, etc. Also, athletic
practices cannot start until after tutorial and busses won't leave until it
is over.
Here is what I like about our schedule:
1. The tutorial period. It is not used by that many students, but it puts
the responsibility clearly on them. There is no excuse for not coming in to
get help or to make up an exam. This is extremely valuable when talking
with parents!
2. Some days are "easy". For example, today I have my prep period, so I
only am in class 180 minutes. Of course, it makes the other days seem long
(even though at 270 minutes they are shorter than a typical Wilson day).
Here is what I do not like about our schedule:
1. Fewer contacts with students. This is actually more of a problem than
fewer minutes (which is also a problem). Assuming you are trying to cover
the same amount of material overall, on most days you have to introduce
twice as many concepts. In some cases this isn't bad, but with difficult
concepts it is very important for students to have a chance to practice the
first concept before learning the second. And, because there are fewer
minutes, there is no time to practice sufficiently in class. Also,
scheduling tests and reviews is a challenge. At my old school, I would
typically teach the material, have a day of review and then a test. Now,
since 1 day is really 2, I cannot use a whole 90 minute period for review
and another whole 90 minute period to test. To have a chance to get in all
the material, I have to stagger things so on the review day I would also
start the next unit (and continue on the test day). This overlap is
difficult for students.
2. Having fewer minutes overall. According to the teachers who were here
before the switch to block scheduling, they absolutely cover less material
than they used to. This is due to fewer minutes and fewer contacts.
Fortunately, we started the first week of August so there is barely enough
time to cover all the material for the AP Stats exam. If we started in
September with this schedule we would not be able to get through it all (or
we would have to skim the surface of several topics).
3. Less practice. Even though the block days should count as double, most
teachers do not give double HW assignments. I have cut out approximately
25% of the HW problems I assign. I am sure some would consider this a
benefit, however!
4. Student absences. When students are absent on a block day, they miss
much more material. The tutorial period helps counter this a little, but it
is still a problem.
There are probably other things I could add to both lists, but that's all I
can think of now. Overall, I think the block is easier on teachers but they
have sacrifice covering some material. It might also be easier on the
students, but they are provided less content.
Josh
-----Original Message-----
From: Kathleen Schoenberger [mailto:schoenbergerk@wilmoths.k12.wi.us]
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 12:24 PM
To: AP Statistics
Subject: [ap-stat] Modified Block
My school presently has a traditional schedule with 45 minute periods every
day. We are likely going to switch to a modified block next year. This has
some of our teachers very concerned. Rather than worrying about it, I
thought I'd just ask those of you that work in a modified block feel about
it. Specifically:
How do you handle block periods in math classes (AP Stats and otherwise)?
Are you able to cover the same amount of material as teachers teaching in a
more traditional schedule?
How are your prep periods designated? Are there times when teachers don't
get any prep time?
How do you structure study halls?
What impact does this have on special education students, teachers, and
classes?
How to you handle make up work for student absences, especially on the block
days?
If any of you were around for the transition from a traditional schedule to
a modified block schedule, how was the transition handled, for teachers
(inservice?) and for students?
Anything else? Pro or con???
Thanks for your input.
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