Block Scheduling Parent Information Night April 30, 2012

Block Scheduling Thought process behind a block schedule ◦ Skill Set of students has changed ◦ Project/Problem Based Learning Activities Purpose of a block schedule ◦ Allow adequate time for project/problem based learning ◦ Time to complete labs ◦ Time for exploration ◦ Time for critical thinking ◦ Time for problem solving

Thoughts about today’s students Students of today have a different skill set then years ago. If many of us are taught by them, where is the challenge for them? 1. We were raised to be creative (“Go outside and find something to do”) 2. Today they are raised with technology. 3. What technology do they have today that we didn’t have (or that we didn’t have when we started teaching)? 4. Because they have a different skill set, we may have to change the way we teach to challenge them to be creative. Today’s learners are intrinsic, not extrinsic. Extrinsic – Learning comes from rewards. (Learning stops when rewards stop.) Intrinsic – Learning comes from self-motivators (Lifelong learning because of continuing intrigue and inquisitiveness.) Example – Give a 12 year old an IPad and what would they do with it? Give a man a fish and you satisfy him for today. Teach him how to fish, and he can take care of himself for a lifetime.

Examples of Projects  Interdisciplinary Units A. Jensen/Rollinger – Immigration, citizenship, nationalism (8 th Grade) Aberson/K. Jensen – Scandinavia (7 th grade) Gunderson/Kleinhans – Newscast on the 20’s (Juniors) Herman/Plagge – Rhythm of Art and Music (8th Grade) Mehlert/Roelfsema – Building design vs. return on investment in the house (Freshmen) Determan/Ries – Lesson on STI’s (Biology and 8 th FACS) Egstad/Melmer – Hunger Game/Field Day (6 th -8 th Grade) Pittmann/Wilke – Two Best Friends (7 th and 8 th Math and Music) Langner/LaValliere – Homemade Sprinklers (Freshmen)  STEM Project – Juniors

Two Types of Block Schedules A/B Schedule ◦ Students take the same four classes on Blue days and four other classes on Gold days. ◦ Blue days are Mondays and Wednesdays and Gold days are Tuesdays and Thursday. ◦ Fridays alternate between Blue and Gold days. 4x4 ◦ Students take four classes every day for the first semester and four different classes for the second semester. Skinnys: o 45 minutes classes that fit in to the block schedule

Comparing A/B and 4x4 Schedules A-B Schedule More variety for students. Better opportunity for students who transfer in or out of the district. Better preparation for the college schedule. Students receive instruction in a class all year to better prepare for state assessment and AP Exams. 4x4 Schedule Fewer students and fewer preps for teachers. Students prepare for four classes. Intense instruction for four periods a day. Repetition every day. Better opportunity for credit recovery the following semester. Better schedule for spring activities (golf and track). Promotes advanced work in math and science.

Example of an A/B Schedule Time Mon (A) Tue (B) Wed (A) Thu (B) Fri (A) 8:19 – 9:47 Math English Math English Math 9:51 – 11:19 Art FACSArtFACSArt 11:19 – 11:59 Lunch 12:03 – 1:31 History Science History Science Science 1:34 – 3:01MusicPsychMusicPsychMusic 3:01 – 3:30SRBSRBSRBSRBSRB

Disadvantages of Block Schedules Greater amount of work to make up when students are missing. Teachers missing a day of instruction. Transition for teachers from a traditional schedule to block schedule. Some classes in an A/B schedule (math, English, science) do not get daily repetition. Procrastination from students in an A/B schedule knowing they don’t have class every day. In an A/B schedule, on weeks where the class meets twice and the student misses one of those days, they will have the class once. (Lack of continuity) Extended illness by student or teacher. More classroom disciplinary issues or boredom if teachers do not properly prepare.

Advantages of Block Schedules Less transition time in the hallways means fewer disciplinary issues. More project/problem based learning. Easier to differentiate for students. More higher level thinking and learning. Repetition of more of the standards. Students better prepared for college knowing they will have classes every other day. Missing only four classes as opposed to seven or eight when students or teachers are gone. No study halls. More time devoted to labs and projects in one sitting. Allows for teacher to be more of a facilitator instead of a lecturer. Preparing for a fewer number of students daily. Provides students the opportunity of practical experiences using skills that are a bridge to the real world.

Advantages of Block Schedules (continued) Improves the skills of analyzing, organizing and synthesizing information in order to investigate and research. Improves on the opportunity for students to learn and work in teams. Improves opportunity for teachers to work collaboratively. Increase the time that students spend in quality learning situations. Encourages the use of a variety of instructional models. Improves school climate and reduces stress on teachers and students. (Indicator 5 on new Accountability Model to debut in ) Fewer absences and tardies. Grades improved because of more individualized instruction. More effective evaluation of student needs and progress.

On-Site Visits What we found out from our visits to other schools: o More relaxed atmosphere o Teachers and students liked block over traditional o Fewer tardies and absences o Fewer disciplinary issues o Students were able to complete more work because of a continuous work environement. o Students had fewer complaints about missing work from four classes as compared to eight classes when they were absent. o More efficiency in a relaxed atmosphere o More focus from the students o More in-depth analysis and research because of more time devoted to guided instruction. o Better understanding of assignments because teachers had more time to work with students. o Ability to incorporate Student Responsibility Blocks (SRB’s). o Block scheduling provides an opportunity for individualized instruction with advanced learners being able to move at a more rapid rate while learners with challenges can receive more individualized instruction.

On-Site Visits (continued) Concerns we discovered from our visits to other schools: o Students have a tendency to procrastinate in an A/B schedule. o Teachers must be well prepared. o Students and teachers must be organized. o Amount of planning time needed for teachers to properly prepare for classes. o Preparation for substitute teachers.

Block Scheduling is a Shift in the teaching and learning process:  From what the teacher does to - what the student can do.  From teaching as telling to - learning as doing.  From covering the content to - understanding important ideas.  From master of facts and skills in isolation to - tasks that call for problem solving, critical thinking and creativity.  From absorbing knowledge to - producing and using knowledge.  Expecting students to think to - requiring students to show their thinking.

Four Basic Goals During Each Block: Gain the students attention Present essential information Allow time for demonstration, practice, utilization, and/or application Take the class to a higher level using a creative technique or a stimulating activity.

Effective instruction in a block schedule will include: Students and teachers being well organized daily Teachers shifting learning methods two to five times per block Getting students engaged in their own learning Balancing essential learnings with essential skills Integrating technology Balancing traditional methods with interactive strategies Presenting key concepts and applying them to real-world situations Balancing traditional assessments with performance-based evaluations Balancing instruction evenly between whole group, independent and cooperative approaches Lectures do not last more than 20 minutes at a time

Additional Programs we can include in a block schedule: Student Responsibility Blocks Advanced learning programs in the middle and high school. (Gifted Programs) Project/Problem based learning. Seniors Mentoring Freshmen and/or 8 th graders mentoring 6 th grade.

Block Scheduling Questions or comments?