Block scheduling should be considered by middle schools to allow more time for quality lessons. There are two main types of block schedules: a 4x4 schedule where students take four classes per day that meet every day for 90 minutes over one semester, and an AB schedule where students take eight classes that meet every other day for around 90 minutes. Block scheduling provides benefits like allowing teachers to thoroughly teach lessons, do varied activities, and work with groups, while students have opportunities for in-depth learning and completing different assignment types. Research has found block scheduling can enhance long-term memory and recommended pedagogical practices.
2. Introduction As a teacher, wouldn’t you like to have extra time with your students? Would you like to thoroughly teach a lesson, give an assignment, and assess their learning? Would you like to create small groups to work with struggling students and higher-level students? Block scheduling can do this for you.
3. Problem Statement Block scheduling should be used in middle schools to teach quality lessons.
4. What Is Block Scheduling? Block scheduling is a type of schedule where students have fewer classes for longer periods of time. There are two popular types of block schedules: 4x4 schedule and AB schedule.
7. What Do Schools Think of Block Scheduling? “At Kings Park High School, which serves 1,000 students in grades 9-12, it was the vision of the principal, John Merone, that led to the implementation of block scheduling. ‘He believes that students learn more effectively when they become more actively involved in the learning process. This can be accomplished during longer blocks of time,’ said Judy Letterman, the assistant principal.” (LAB, p. 32)
8. What Do Researchers Think of Block Scheduling “Under block scheduling teachers can concentrate their time and resources on 60-80 percent fewer classes and students at any given time. Such teachers also have a good chance of following recommended pedagogical practices (Carroll, 1989, pp. 51-52). By allowing teachers to cover material in greater breadth and depth, longer amounts of instructional time have also been reported to enhance long term memory processes.”
9. Why Is This Important? Block scheduling allows for more time to teach It gives opportunities to complete different types of assignments Allows for more variety in the classroom More in-depth lessons can lead to greater student success
10. Conclusions Block scheduling should be considered by middle schools because it would be beneficial to the students and the teachers. The teachers would be able to spend more time on quality lessons and the students will learn because of the depth of lessons.
11. Video A great video that talks about the pros and cons of block scheduling. http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=139362&title=Block_Scheduling_Good__Bad__Reality&ref=Alw004
12. Bibliography Retrieved from http://www.rehabforteens.com/wp-meta/?tag=Modified-a-b-block-schedule Texas Education Agency, Office of Policy Planning and Research. (1999). Block scheduling in texas public high schools (Report No. 13). Retrieved from http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/research/pdfs/prr13.pdf Retrieved from http://www.alliance.brown.edu/pubs/ic/block/block.pdf
