Hey Blog Buddies!
I want to thank you for the comments on my last blog. Your comments gave me the perfect segue for my Week 6 Post: Block scheduling vs. traditional
I think I have a very interesting schedule and I get to see both types of scheduling together. As part of our 9th grade academy we are set up into teams and we see our students (3 classes) 60 mins. every day for the whole year. My other classes (upperclassmen) I see every other day (A day, B day) for 90 mins for the whole year. Yes, very confusing! Here's my schedule in Table format:
A Day:
90 mins: Math Tech 3 A day
60 mins: Geometry Honors
60 mins: Geometry Honors
60 mins: Geometry Honors
Lunch
90 mins: Planning
B Day:
90 mins: Math Tech 3 B day (different students)
60 mins: Geometry Honors (same students)
60 mins: Geometry Honors (same students)
60 mins: Geometry Honors (same students)
Lunch
90 mins: Planning
So, here are the pros and cons from my unique experience.
Pros of 90 mins (cons of 60 mins):
- There is more time for labs and in class projects.
- Some teachers think it's a pro that you don't have to see the same students every day
- You only have to plan (for the most part) every other day (and if you have the same class every other day)
Pons of 60 mins (cons of 90 mins):
- Students attention span definitely does not last for 90 mins. After about an hour they are ready to do something else anyways.
- I get to see my students everyday and that helps their retention rate, especially over the weekend. I don't have to spend a lot of time reviewing the previous class concepts.
- Also, classroom management takes less time to set in as far as classroom behavior and expectations. It helps seeing them every day with being consistent!
So anyways, I enjoy having the 60 mins. I think you can still get more done with 60 mins vs. 90 every other day anyways. When I have something that will take more than 60 mins, I just have to be creative and splice it up between class periods. Plus, I think it's easier to shorten a lesson to fit into 60 mins. rather than extend it into 90 mins!
Quick update on my project: I decided to make a mini PBL with some technology components. More on this later, but basically my students will be using Geometry to build mini-miniature golf courses and we will play them in class using popsicle sticks as golf clubs and a marble for a golf ball! Should be fun and I'll explain more in my next post.
Have a great week!
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Oh cool! That sounds like such a neat project idea, and I can't wait to hear more about it!
ReplyDeleteAs for your block scheduling analysis- THANK YOU! I've always wondered how teachers felt about these types of schedules, so it was refreshing to see some true thoughts.
Great post!!
I love the mini-golf course idea. Can't wait to hear more.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on your statements about block scheduling vs. traditional. As I've said before in posts I teach middle school and we are also on the block schedule. We started 3 years ago and our classes were 100 minutes!! That's a long time for anybody, especially 11-14 yr. olds. The next year they reduced it to 85 min. and now it is 70 min. It's much better, but still a struggle for some kids.
I do miss seeing the kids every day. I felt it helped me build stronger relationships with my students. Whereas now I might not see a class for three whole days - which makes a big difference in what an 11 yr. old can remember during that time period.
Block scheduling always seems to be a good topic for discussion.
I think that you mini-golf course is so creative! I'm excited to hear how this progresses!
ReplyDeleteThe pros and cons of each type of scheduling is definately apparent in your table. I like that you mentioned that some teachers do not neccessarily want to see some students EVERY day. I think that often since I am a sub! Thanks for showing us those different points of view.
I can't even imagine seeing students everyday. I have been out of K-12 too long. It does build bonding experience as some of you said.
ReplyDeleteCool mini golf idea. Geometry meets kinetic activities. Cool!