The subject of this chapter was the benefits of using block scheduling, the idea that you have fewer classes in the day (usually 4) that last for a longer period of time (around 80 minutes). This may make it so that less material is covered over the course of the year, but Wormeli asserts that more material will be remembered by students than in the traditional schedule. The chapter goes over the backward design model, and explains how it is important for us to use this model in blocks because it helps us define what we want to do with all the time we have. The author argues that block scheduling is less stressful for students because you are not trying to cram everything into a short period of time. A potential drawback with them is that students don't remember as much from the middle of the period, so teachers should place their most important material in the beginning and end of the period, and save tasks like attendance and homework review for the middle. Other benefits of blocks include more time for teachers to integrate their curriculum, more time for students to reflect on their work, better opportunities to integrate the community into the learning process, and more time for teachers to incorporate all of their students unique learning needs. In the end, block scheduling can only be successful if teachers fill all the time with engaging activities for their students.
That last point is something I think we can all relate to, even in college. Long periods of time can be powerful for learning, but if they are not filled with engaging activities they can feel like they are dragging on forever. Another thing many of us noticed was that the beginning and end of our classes are usually for administrative tasks when they should really be for the most important subject material. The beginning of class should be for engaging material, and the end should be for reflection. One negative criticism some people had of the chapter was that it focuses on backwards design, something many of us learned in practicum. Also, block scheduling does not allow for teachers to see their students every day. At the end of the day, block scheduling focuses on what's important, the learning.
This video is a documentary about one school's move to block scheduling and shows a variety of opinions about the issue. Everything we said in our reflections seems to be represented well. You should know also know that is student made, so it's not always appropriate and it is very long.
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15 comments:
I really enjoy the link on reflection. I really found it important to me when I was a student so I think it will be equally important to use reflection as a teacher. Specifically, the different ideas for reflection was great. Some of them were obvious while some were new ideas to me. Great find!
So, R^3, I love your link to the parent who is opposed to blocks. I think it is a great idea to challenge the ideas and concepts that we are being taught. This then allows us, as pre-service teachers, to see both sides of the argument and then form an opinion based upon solid evidence from each side. Although, maybe this guy isn't exactly presenting solid evidence, but in his favor, he does provide other resources other than his opinion.
I thought the block scheduling link was very interesting because it offered a different perspective on looking at block schedules. Sometimes it is refreshing to read an opposing viewpoint on an issue in order to fully understand it. I thought the link on reflections was helpful because it outlined specific benefits of using reflective thinking, which I strongly agree with because it reinforces new learning concepts so that students can better comprehend them. It also focuses on service learning, a great way for students to realize the relation of school to the real world and create engaging activities.
I thought that it was refreshing to put up a differing viewpoint about block scheduling and I think that the article is beneficial to learn where there are negatives of using that structure. I also liked the link about reflection and thought that some of the ideas found on the site would be really good for middle schoolers.
I like the idea behind all of this and did enjoy what i read from the guys website. I am very opinionated against block scheduling, primarily because students and teachers don't interact on a daily basis. There were some great ideas in here and I think the links were very interesting. Good work.
I like the idea of putting up a link to an idea that is the opposite of what we are taught here at UMF and it's interesting that it's a parent that has done all of the research on block scheduling and is putting his idea out there.
I like that you had 2 conflicting views about block scheduling. I also like that the is a person that decided to state their views against the normal of of what people are preaching.
Your link to the service learning is beneficial; it offers some helpful ways to utilize reflections and service within your surrounding communities. It's a great resource.
Wow! Great links! They really have a lot of information. The video is also very funny but also very informative. I like how you can see different people's perspectives in the video. I like how the links you provided really go along with what we all said in our reflections. Great job!
I liked the first link as it gives an opinion different than the readings we have had. I am sure that there is a reason behind the opinion and communication with the school and parent could perhaps help. Great video I will watch the whole thing later.
Eileen
I really like you link on reflection. Reflective is an important strategy that middle school students should be familiar with. Block scheduling is a tough topic. Many people enjoy it, while others don't. You're link on problems with block scheduling is nice because it gives a few different view points about block scheduling, including pros and cons.
I really liked the website about having students reflect on their work, it just showed the importance and gave good ideas. The video you found was also good because it showed how students feel about block scheduling, when usually you just read about how teachers and other professionals feel.
The first web page was great for me because I am someone that loves the idea of block scheduling but this link, from what I have seen, shows someone that doesn't enjoy the idea of block scheduling. This is one site thatI plan on going back to and reading over more to get some more of the perspective.
I have not gotten a chance to watch the video or look at the second article, but I really like the first article about the disadvantages of block scheduling. I personally favor block scheduling, but I always like reading or hearing someones opinions that are different from mine. It helps me get a better understanding of the other side, and allows me to think about more ways to improve my classroom management. I think this article really helps education majors who are just starting to form their opinions.
I like having a different opinion about block scheduling, especially one that is well supported.
The site about reflection is neat as well. Many students do better when asked to reflect and are able to show their strengths through reflection.
The video offers a great inside look to block scheduling. Before a school district decides to switch to block scheduling, they should make a video or at least interview different people -parents, students, staff, etc.
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