AJC.com > Blogs > Get Schooled > Archives > 2007 > May > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBlock vs. Traditional
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s one that’s giving Cobb schools administrators indigestion (read a study committee has been formed).
When the principal of Kell High announced this spring that the school would be switching from traditional to block scheduling in the coming school year, a hue and cry went up from several parents who argued against it pointing out that two of Cobb’s highest performing high schools—Walton and Lassiter—were on traditional, seven-period-a-day schedules. They noted that recent research says block isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. (The bulk of Cobb high schools are on some kind of block scheduling).
The uproar reached the ears of the superintendent who put things on hold at Kell, (they’ll be going to some kind of traditional/block hybrid in August), called for a survey to see what kinds of schedules the district’s high schools are on (a varied mixture it turns out); and announced the formation of a study committee this summer to see which is more effective.
The argument for block scheduling in vogue in the past decade is that it gives students more seat time (hour and a half-long classes v. 55 minute-long traditional classes), allows students to complete a full unit in one semester and complete eight credits in a school year rather than the traditional six. Thus, students would be able to work in two more courses in a school year.
But is it paying off academically ? Recent research suggests it may not. One concern is that students aren’t retaining as much, that students’ attention span tends to fade with the longer seat time.
What’s your experience been with block v. traditional scheduling ? Are students’ butts getting numb and their minds switching off ? Are students better off getting smaller doses of math, science , social studies etc. every day, or more content every other day ? How does it work at your school ? Which do you think creates a more effective learning environment ?
Comments
By catlady
May 29, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
I think block scheduling is inappropriate developmentally for most high school students. We discount that they are still developing, yet seem surprised when they don’t remember things presented in block format. Heck, that kind of scheduling is not appropriate for some college students, much less ninth graders!
By catlady
May 29, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
Education in Georgia, Our Slogan: If you’ve got a bandwagon, we’ll hop on it!
By Zoe
May 29, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
There is absolutely no difference in achievement- if done correctly. I did research to try and convince our school to go to block. (I was unsuccessful.) There are two major advantages: 1. Fewer class changes/less chance for trouble in the halls and fewer opportunities to be late to class 2. Chance to earn more credits, take more electives (6 credits a year-traditional v. 8 credits a year- block) Disadvantages 1. Need more teachers- 25% of faculty will have planning at any given time vs. 17% on traditional 2. Science/Math classes- If on 4x4- may have an entire year between classes 3. Finding electives/elective teachers- it is hard enough to find certified core teachers 4. Teachers do not know how to fill an hour and a half/two hour period. Kids wind up watching movies or doing homework because teachers accustomed to teaching 55 minute lessons can not adjust to the longer time span.
Good choice is A/B block vs. 4x4 Problem is that kids then take 8 classes all year.
However, as long as the DOE increases graduation requirements, there needs to be some solution offered so college bound kids can get in electives and other things required by colleges, but not by the state.
By Lisa B.
May 29, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
Many subjects aren’t conducive to block scheduling. For example, lecture type classes such as Social Studies work better in a typical schedule. Not all teachers have been trained to successfully utilize that huge block of time, and lecture formatted classes don’t need to last an hour and a half or more. I can see how block scheduling can be advantageous when lessons are combined with lab time. However, that can also be handled easily with the traditional schedule. I prefer the traditional schedule. The day is broken up into smaller chunks of information spread out over a longer period of time. Also, with block schedule, missing a day or two of school due to illness is more damaging.
Don’t worry Catlady. This too shall pass. In education, we never stick with anything long. Another fad will come along, and our school sytems will jump on the new bandwagon.
By thomas
May 29, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
Why are we rehashing this topic again?
By Janine
May 29, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
I’m with Catlady….with the “bandwagon” thing. It’s in, It’s out, It’s in , It’s out.
Fact is,it doesn’t make a dime’s worth of difference as long as the grades are inflated ad infinitum ..and the standards are lowered so that , let’s see, what is it they tell us….so that we OFFER EVERY CHILD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.
Translation: if a student doesn’t/can’t do the required work, give him/her points for bringing a pencil and paper to class, staying awake, and any other little adjustments that need to be made so that he/she passes!!!
By Janine
May 29, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
Oh…and ,teachers, make sure you get started on this “offering the opportunity to succeed ” approach early enough, say 1st grade at the latest….so that by the time the student reaches Middle School he/she is well versed in the process and fully grasps the notion that he/she can do almost nothing and still pass!
By Lisa B.
May 29, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
Hey Janine, that’s why teachers attend so much staff development on “differentiated instruction.” If the child can’t complete the work one way, let’s try another way, and another, and another until he succeeds :-)
By Ernest
May 29, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
Thomas, in fairness to Diane, she may not be aware we’ve blogged on this before. Most of the schools in DeKalb are on the block. They did make some allowances for AP classes.
While parents have expressed skepticism of the block, teachers and students seem to like it. Fewer books (and students) to keep up with, longer time for instruction (assuming bell to bell instruction is now occurring after initial challenges), full planning periods were some of the positives cited.
By catlady
May 29, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
“Course, elementary teachers don’t have time to (go to the bathroom), but high school teachers get their full block, and middle school teachers get an hour and a half to plan. At our school teachers are lucky if they get 18 minutes for lunch and 25 minutes of planning time during the day. We keep getting told we can stay after school for a few hours to plan. In addition, most teachers have before and after school duties. At what point are workloads going to be equalized? Or those without meaningful time for planning paid extra?
Back to block: Some subjects need time to be digested and practiced. In addition, in our Nintendo-world, some kids are addicted to changing images every few seconds (Nintendo induced ADD). After 40 minutes their eyes glaze over.
BTW, “differentiated instruction” is a nice way of saying, “How can I dumb this down further so everyone can pass or get a HOPE scholarship.”
Sorry, folks. Bad day. More top-down idiocy.
By HS Teacher Too
May 29, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
Education in Georgia, Our Slogan: If you’ve got a bandwagon, we’ll hop on it!
Catlady, you make me laugh. If only it weren’t so true!
I’ve only taught on the block once and HATED it… not because of teaching differences but because I teach math, and there is really only so much kids can learn new in a day without a chance to try it on their own first, but too much “try it” time in the classroom is first of all, more like hw time at school, which I don’t support; and second, it cuts into the “instructional” time we are supposed to gain per day by being on block. In short, you’re supposed to be able to cover between 1.5 and 2 days’ work in a block period, but it doesn’t work that way in reality.
BUT — you said block teachers get their full block free, and I have friends in other systems (not GA) where they get their block every OTHER day. YIKES!!!
By kaab
May 29, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
I teach at a school with an alternating block schedule. I teach year long courses, but see the students every other day for 85 minutes. This is my 6th year doing it and I love it. I think the 4 x 4 block is very harmful to students. I teach math. I couldn’t imagine trying to teach a year’s worth of Algebra in one semester. I don’t see how any quality work can get done. I know you have more time, but I don’t see the academic benefit of the 4 x 4 block. Maybe opponents to the 4 x 4 block should look to other block schedule alternatives. There are plenty out there. The middle school that feeds into my high school has a rotating block schedule. The period rotate from day to day. That way sometimes you would teach 7th period math in the afternoon and sometime teach it in the morning. The teacher’s like it and belive it or not, most kids do not get confused with the schedule.
As far as prep goes. I guess I should be grateful I work in a unionized system. We have a block prep everyday. However, on block is reserved for “meetings” during the day. If you don’t have a meeting then it is your time. If you don’t, then you can use it a prep period.
By Janine
May 29, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
Block/NoBlock…PE/NO PE….ART/No ART….. Band-orchestra/No band/orchestra …. PRIVATESCHOOLPRIVATESCHOOLPRIVATESCHOOLPRIVATESCHOOLPRIVATESCHOOLPRIVATESCHOOL!!! Have I gotten cynical, or what???
By Janine
May 29, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this
Would you believe I used to be a most passionate…even rabid supporter of public education!!!!Then, POLITICS reared it’s ugly head!!! OhSOSAD!!
By Janine
May 29, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this
INVEST in Your CHildren’s Future!!!Take part of what you are investing in the stock market and/or whatever… and invest it in a private school education [of your choice ]for your child/children. The payback will be much more rewarding …in dollars and in peace of mind.
By luvs2teach
May 29, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this
Both my kids liked being on block (4 x 4)- they liked having fewer classes to keep up with and looked forward to the mid-year switch. However, I know my son’s math knowledge suffered - he admitted it himself.
I did like that they were able to fit in more classes - my daughter was able to get to Latin 5 (w/o having had Latin in middle school) and AP art - classes she wouldn’t have had w/o block. Most of her friends took their foreign language classes back-to-back, so the calendar year between them wasn’t an issue.
As a science teacher, I love the block for labs - lectures can be tough, though. When I was in high school, although we had a traditional schedule, we had many single semester classes (electives such as business law, and 1/2 year junior and senior lit classes).
I think in the future, we should be looking at some kind of modified block - some classes full year, and others alternate - math could alternate with a lit class - giving the kids more time to get their reading done, perhaps.
By 30YearsIn
May 29, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this
A downside that my daughter discovered with the 4x4 block schedule was having to sacrifice classes she wanted when there was a scheduling conflict. She was in AP classes, the top performing group in band, and trying to take French 4. Because of scheduling she had to make a decision…continue in the music class that she dearly loved or continue in French, that she also dearly loved. She ended up not taking more foreign language and stayed with music. When she got to college, she picked the French back up and ended up with it as one of her double major areas. Another downside are the AP classes that are completed in December, but the AP tests aren’t given until the end of the school year. A lot of time to forget some of the subject matter as you concentrate on new second semester classes.
By Lisa B.
May 29, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this
I like Luvs2Teach’s idea about a modified block. I agree with other posters that subject like math and AP classes need to continue throughout the school year, but other classes could perhaps be on some type of block so kids can take a larger variety of subjects.
I don’t really know how a modified block would work exactly, but I imagine it has been tried someplace before.
By high school teacher
May 30, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this
I loved teaching on the block. I taught on a 4x4 for nine years, and then went back to a 6 period day when I changed schools two years ago. I was a better teacher on the block. By the time 6th period rolls around now, I am worn out. I know that my last period class doesn’t get the same quality of instruction as the others. On a 4x4, teachers only teach three classes a day, compared to five classes on a 6 period day. Longer classes allow for a more student centered classroom.
Most English teachers like the block - it gives us time to have real writing labs and peer revision workshops. There are several who don’t like the block, however. Math and social studies are the classes that struggle on a block.
As for student performance, I really don’t think it makes any difference. Good teachers are more important than a schedule. Some might suffer on the block if they have a lapse in math classes, but our system scheduled students so that if they had math first semester of their freshman year, then they would have it first semester of their sophomore year, etc. My students who experienced both said that they preferred the block schedule to the 6 period day. They liked the lessened back pack load, and the homework was more manageable.
Looking at the big picture, it’s cheaper for schools to be on the block. Throughout the course of a year, teachers will teach 6 classes (3 first semester and 3 new ones second semester). Using an average number of 30, on a 6 period day, teachers would teach 150 students throughout the year. On a 4x4 day, teachers would teach 180 students throughout the year. Schools can also save on textbook costs because only 1/2 the school population will be in any subject at a time.
The big drawback to the 4x4 is the loss of instructional time. On a 6 period day, 180 days, with 50 minute classes, students will get 9000 minutes of seat time per class. On a 4x4, 90 days, with 90 minute classes, students get 8100 minutes of instruction - difference of 900 minutes! The counter for this drawback is the “quality vs quantity” argument.
Sorry for the long post. I just have lots to say about the block!
By Jeff
May 30, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
A math perspective:
With the 6 period day, students have more homework than block - just from my math class. This is because I’m going to assign the same amount of problems no matter if you’re in my class for 55 min or 95 min. The difference is that with the block, I can give you time to go over it in class with me there to help you rather than your parents who probably know less about the intricacies of Trigonometry than you do. Also, if I notice several students having particular difficulty on a problem, I can switch back to lecture for a few minutes, explain the problem, and reassign a similar problem to make up for the one we just did together.
By Jeff
May 30, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
off topic question:
T (fiancee) found out yesterday that she is teaching 4 classes of Reg-Ed Freshman English and 1 class of Reg-Ed Sophomore English. My questions: I have World Lit, American Lit, and Brit Lit - as well as the two Bible courses - on the HS English portion of georgiastandards.org. Which of these is the 9th grade class, which is the 10th??? (I did well in HS English, but I don’t remember the exact sequence of classes! Though I know Gatsby was 10th grade… which puts American Lit sophomore… World Lit freshman???)
By Lisa B.
May 30, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
HS Teacher,
I appreciate the information in your post. I teach elementary and don’t know much about block scheduling, other than what I hear from others. I have a two-and-a-half literacy block which encompasses reading, writing, and language arts skills. I think it would be very hard to do justice to those subjects in a limited time period because of the time needed for peer work. As you said though, lecture classes like Social Studies don’t seem well suited for block scheduling. That’s why I liked the idea Luvs2Teach posted yesterday about some sort of modified block with some longer classes and some shorter classes. Perhaps some classes would last all year, but some only a sememster. Have you ever heard of such a thing? How do you think it would work?
By JustMe
May 30, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
Haven’t we discussed this one to death already? There are those that like block and those that don’t.
Those that like block:
Students can take more and different classes. The ability to change the class schedules between semesters is desirable to some students.
Longer periods. Teachers that have major projects or labs have more time during a single period to do them right.
Fewer classes per semester. Students have fewer subjects to worry about and teachers have fewer students to worry about in a single semester.
Those that don’t like block:
Hard to transition from standard schedules. Teachers have a hard time adjusting their lesson plans to the longer period - thus running out of time at the end of the semester.
Too much homework with so many classes in one semester.
Too many students for a single teacher to keep track of in one semester.
Too short of a period to do any serious project or lab.
By HB
May 30, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
Jeff, as I recall, 9th and 10th grade English were very similar with both covering World Lit. The actual curriculum can vary at different schools. I moved to a new school at the beginning of 10th grade, and my two schools taught about half of the two grades the same, and half reversed, so I completely missed Great Gatsby and Greek mythology, but read A Separtate Peace and Antigone twice. Everything else lined up. American Lit is usually in 11th grade, I beleive, and Brit Lit in 12th.
As for block scheduling, I have heard a lot of positive comments from teachers on a schedule like kaab described where courses are taught every other day, rather than every other semester.
Some social studies teachers, by the way, said it was extremely helpful to have longer periods. They had always stuck to lecture formats because 55 minutes didn’t really allow for other activities. In the longer periods, they would lecture for a while and then lead more interactive lessons in the remaining time — group work, debate, role playing (i.e. kids act as Supreme Court and decide a historic case based on arguments, then learn what the actual Court had decided and why), etc. Great critical thinking exercises!
By Jeff
May 30, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
HB:
Thanks for the tip. I’m trying to help T get prepared for this upcoming year. It will be her 4th year as a teacher, but she has spent each of the previous 3 at the ES level. I only have one year in the classroom, but at least half of that was at the HS level - even if it was a different subject. So I’m trying the bring that whole “lessons learned the hard way about what to do/ not to do in a HS setting” to her. (And yes, I told her not to smile for at least the first week!)
She has a completely different philosophy of education though. We agreed that I would be a programmer for 5 years and make the call at that point as to whether I would go back to teaching. HOPEFULLY we could wind up teaching at the same school if I do. Though I would tell the kids and parents up front: If you want a “nice” teacher, you better take English with MRS. Jeff, because if you have Math or Tech with MR. Jeff, you ain’t gonna get “nice”…
By jim d
May 30, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
LOL Jeff,
I’d suspect evey student in school would know that by second semester. :-)
By OldSchool
May 30, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
After having taught 6-1hour classes, 2-3hour classes and 3- 2hour classes EVERYDAY OF EVERY TERM for the first 25 years of my teaching career, I LOVE block. Our guidance department would split up some of those multi-hour classes so I had students going and coming all day. Very confusing and a massive amount of work.
I love block (4x4 here) but I also know that a modified block would be better for math, band and some other courses. Teachers need training and refresher courses on teaching in a block format. No, you can’t lecture unless it is a very engaging lecture with opportunities for students to add their 2 cents worth. Gifted and high achieving students can handle that without going off track too far.
It takes flexibility and creativity to keep everyone engaged and involved for 90 or 100 minutes. I still love block.
BUT if I were back in the shop, I’d want to go back to the 6 period day with shop classes being 2 periods long. When we changed over to block, our heavy shops went from their 3- 2hour classes to 4- 90 minute blocks with the same funding. Extended day folks have no break during the day other than lunch (with duty) and spend at least an hour each day after school (our planning time).
What I would really like is a modified block schedule, longer day with flex-time for teachers with young families or older teachers who want a shorter day. Yes, students would have to choose between the late classes and after school activities but so what? Life requires tough choices. I’d like to see reading, math, remediation, career/life skills classes offered/required.
But that’s just me at the end of my day and the end of my 33rd year and the beginning of my summer paperwork/workshop/plu earning marathon.
By Lisa B.
May 30, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
Yes Old School, summer certainly whizzes by! We have serveral mandatory workshops. Many of us must change classrooms, and the moving is done on our own time. Still, I’ve done little today but post blogs and do some shopping. It is too smokey outside from the wildfires to play in the pool with my son and his friends as we’d planned. It’s nice to relax!
By Jeff
May 30, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
Speaking of the fires:
I was in Albany this weekend at it was BAD. Saw on WALB today that it is worse today than Monday (which is saying something). Y’all up in North GA - ahem ATL ahem - have NOTHING to complain about as far as this smoke goes!
OldSchool, I know where you are. Is it even worse in your neck of the woods??
By Lisa B.
May 30, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
Jeff,
We only get the occassional smokey day, so I shouldn’t complain. The air was clear all four days we spent boating at Lake Blackshear for the holiday weekend. My relatives in Valdosta are having a very bad time of it with the smoke. Keep praying for rain!
By OldSchool
May 30, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
Jeff, the smoke comes and goes. It’s bad enough that I turn my headlights on when I’m driving (which I avoid when possible.) It makes me think of “The Hunt for Red October” where the underwater scenes were actually filmed in a smoke-tank.
I tried to convince my school to herd all the students outside for manditory deep breathing exercises…in through the nose, out through the mouth. Everyone agreed it might work to filter the air but the aftermath of nose cleaning might be a huge negative.
We’ve also managed to get through the month of May without turning on the ac but having a house full of smoke aroma isn’t very springlike. We’ll do new filters and crank ‘er up tonight.
The most heartbreaking sight I’ve seen since the Yellowstone fire aftermath is the view around Waycross and other areas scorched bare by the flames. If any of you want to do something nice, the firefighters could use t-shirts, wet wipes, bandannas, rain, and other supplies. The TV stations out of Tallahassee were asking for these things to be taken to local authorities for transport to the firefighters. I’ll have to find the info and share if anyone is interested. (I’m about 90 miles west of Waycross by the way.)
By Jeff
May 30, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
Lisa:
It was there every day this weekend while I was in town. Worse in the mornings, but particularly bad around 11a Monday.
Even then, T’s mom had to go to Valdosta to take T’s sister to the airport Fri afternoon and said that you could barely see a quarter mile in front of you. HOWEVER, T’s mom is PARANOID when driving, so am unsure exactly what it is like… :P
By high school teacher
May 30, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
Jeff,
There is a separate course that is called 9th Grade Literature and Composition. There is also a course called 10th Grade Literature and Composition. Both have GPS.
American Literature, World Literature, and British Literature can be taught in grades 10-12, depending on the system. Many school systems have American Lit in 11th grade, and Brit Lit in 12th grade, and World Lit as an elective. My system passes over the 10th grade lit/comp, and teaches American Lit in 10th, World in 11th, and Brit in 12. The only two required are 9th and American. The other two English classes can be any of the above.
Go to the school website and see if they have it listed. If not, your fiancee should ask for teacher’s editions so that she can prepare during the summer. Good luck!
By Lisa B.
May 30, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
Jeff, Lake Blacksehear is 40 miles north of the area you speak about. If it was smokey at home, I’m glad we were at the Lake :-)
By Lisa B.
May 30, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
Jeff, I believe T’s mom was probably right about the 1/4 visibility. Parts of I-75 have been closed numerous times due to smoke.
I don’t think classes are listed on the website of T’s new school system. The teachers are gone, but administrators are still there and may let T borrow a couple of TE’s for the summer. That’s a really great idea, by the way. She’s feel much more prepared if she can look through the material and study the GPS standards online.
By Jeff
May 30, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Lisa:
I know Blackshear well. I cross over it every time I go home! :P (And the smoke was just as bad at home as in Albany proper!)
By Jeff
May 30, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
Lisa:
She got those yesterday!! :P (She was excited. Went to get her fingerprints done, met the lady who will be across the hall while there. Also got her teacher books, etc..)
By Tony
May 31, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
Block scheduling is no panacea for education. I am glad to hear the community raises concerns about the matter. One of the number one concerns I have about block scheduling is that teachers do not change their habits of teaching. Students still get 5o minutes of instruction and 40 minutes to work on homework. As for seat time, students actually get less time overall in order to earn the unit of credit. Read the high school graduation policies to get the definitions of seat time for the different schedules.