Block Scheduling
Summer! The time for swimming, messing around, hanging out with friends, and no school, especially the “no school” part. Unless someone wanted to take 8 classes but they only had 7 periods. Then they would have to take an online class over summer break, like me. If our school switched to block scheduling, problems like this will never happen. This is not the only reason that an 8 period (4 classes every day, alternating days) block schedule is better. Another reason is that less time is wasted during the school day. We will also have longer learning periods if our school switched to block scheduling. I believe that our school should switch to block scheduling. Let me explain.
“Which class will I have to drop?” This is a question that many students will not have to ask themselves next year if our school switches to block scheduling. If we switch, students will have another class period. Before, if students wanted more than 7 classes, they had to take an online class or be home schooled. Now they can take the extra class at school and not have to worry about finishing an online class or home school class, so they can be more focused on the school day. Students will also be able to take a larger variety of classes. With more variety, students will have a more rounded and full education. However, students are not the only ones that will have another class. Teachers will have another class too. The other class will most likely be a preparation or prep period. If teachers have a prep period, they will be better able to stay up with grading and be better prepared for lessons. Teachers will be less stressed about staying caught up, and thus be better able to teach. This is one of the reasons that we should switch to block scheduling, but it not the only reason.
In block-scheduled schools, less time is wasted. Everyday in our school, time is wasted on non-curriculum activities. These activities include things like taking roll, getting dressed for gym, and getting out supplies such as binders, guitars, instruments, journals, etc. I have a music class were we spend 1/3 of our time getting out binders, warming up and taking roll. If we switch to block scheduling we will only do these activities once every two days and not daily. We will save 15 minutes that will be used on the actual class. Music is not the only class that has to do these activities. Every class will save at least 5 minutes every period. Over the course of the year with 5 minutes every period every two days (based on a 180-day schedule) every class will have 18 hours and 45 minutes that will be spent on the curriculum rather than things that waste time. Our school will also save time in other places too. By switching to block scheduling students will only be in the halls 57% of the time now spent on a 7 period schedule. This will save 15 minutes a day or 30 minutes for every A day B day rotation. Over the 180-day school year, this is 22 hours and 30 minutes. I personally can do a lot of work in 22 ½ hours. Not only will our school gain more time, but the time that is used will be used so well that it will seem like even more time.
With block scheduling, students will have longer periods for more intense study. If this does not make sense, here is a short example that might be help. Which is more effective: reading a novel for 10 minutes 70 times or reading for 70 minutes for 10 times? Obviously a novel is easier to understand if it is read for 70 minutes 10 times. Trying to teach a class in little 45 (or less) minute bits is like trying to read for 10 minutes 70 times. So teaching 82 minute classes will help students understand the curriculum better. By having longer classes students will be able to “get into” the subject matter better. So kids will learn more. If students learn more then grades will most likely go up. If students have better grades then students are happier and more supportive and more active in school. If students are more supportive and active in school then their grades will go up even more. This is a circle that repeats and repeats that will all start by switching to block scheduling. So students will learn more, get better grades, and be more supportive if we switch to block scheduling.
“What about all the problems with block scheduling?” Some people might want to ask this question. The truth is there are some problems. But these problems can be easily dealt with. So here are the answers and the solutions to some of these problems. Can students sit still with the same teacher for 82 minute periods and still learn? This is the main concern for people thinking about switching to block scheduling. I believe that most of the students can but there are a few that will have a hard time. People are mostly concerned with the 7th and 8th graders. What about 6th grade? Did the 7th graders not sit with the same teacher all day every day in 6th grade just last year? Would not it be easier to make the transition in 7th grade when students are already better prepared for the switch than in 10th grade? Something that teachers could do is incorporate activities into their lesson plans to help keep students’ attention for longer periods. The longer preparation period for teachers will help. Another problem is that there will be larger classes. With the longer period teachers will be able to reach each student better. There are a few more concerns, but these are the major ones.
We should change to block scheduling. It is clearly the better scheduling system. Both students and teacher will receive another class. Less time will be wasted on “non-curriculum” activities during the school day. Students will be able to learn more with the longer periods for longer learning. There are only a few problems that can be dealt with. So go change our school to block scheduling NOW!
WORKS CITED
Davis, Steven. "January's Principal's Message." Fairfield Junior High School. 01/January/2009. Davis School District. 4 Feb 2009
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