Hi! So my school is considering switching to block scheduling. The teachers are going to vote after spring break. Basically, they’re doing it because some teachers were complaining about teaching 6 classes and only having 1 planning period. If we do block scheduling, every teacher will have 6 classes, 1 planning period, and 1 Study Hall class that is technically a planning period.
So my band teacher stood up during the meeting today and said that he thought it was a bad idea. He said that it’s hard for kids to lean when they take a day break in between classes. (which got in trouble for having a differing opinion…)
They said that you have 7 classes plus a study hall, but you can opt out and take another elective instead of study hall, which I would do.
If they do switch to block scheduling, I’ll take the same 7 classes (PreCal, AP World Hist, AP Seminar, Eng 2, Debate 2, Band, and Spanish 4). So I wasn’t planning on taking a science class because I took 2 this year (1 online, 1 in school), and I’m planning on taking 1 in the Summer online. If they swtich to block scheduling I’ll take AP Bio or APES, but I wouldn’t take one over the summer
So I’m not sure if the block schedule is a good or bad thing for me. I mean that way I don’t need to take a science class this summer, and still be able to take all the electives that I want to, but I’ve heard from multiple people it’s harder to lean that way. What is your experience with block schedule and how well can you learn?
I’ve had block scheduling since 7th grade, so I may be biased in saying that I believe it’s beneficial. Although classes are longer (90 minutes for four class periods a day) might as well get used to it since college classes may be long(er), right? Plus, there’s more breathing room since homework assigned won’t be due the next day. I honestly don’t know how people can have all of their classes everyday, I would get sick of all my teachers and peers.
@SirSly Ok, that makes me feel better about the whole thing I’ve never had any sort of block schedule, so I don’t really know the difference. But it definitely seems like it would be nice to not have to do much homework when I have marching band practice! How many classes do you have per day? 8?
+1 for block. Longer class periods and an extra day to do homework. In total, we have 7 classes + a “study hall” block. 3/4 classes a day with Friday being an all block.
@jakejake637 For my school: Although I have eight classes total (7 academic, 1 homeroom) they are split in half between each day. So on odd days we go to periods 1, 3, 5, 7 and on even days we go to periods 2, 4, 6, 8 (odd and even days alternate daily). Each period is 1 hour and 30 minutes, so it kind of sucks if you hate a class to sit in for so long, but if you love a class it can be beneficial.
@SirSly Ok, that’s how my school will be if we do switch. I don’t care either way about sitting in a class for a long time, but it’ll be good for classes like band
BTW, colleges have what resembles block scheduling. You often take 75 or 90 minutes classes twice a week. Your band director might be right for band – it a good habit to play every day. However, his band students can practice at home, too. Block scheduling isn’t just a benefit for teachers.
I have a block as well[100 mins per class]. It is much better as I feel teachers are able to teach better because they’re able to gain that teaching momentum(the moment when you’re finally getting something and then bell rings happens less during a B.S] and students are able to ask questions and have better full on class debates/discussions etc. and as stated above an extra day to do HW.
The main con is that it is 100 mins and that can be painful[if you want someone to confess to a crime just have them sit for 100 mins listening to presentations on the same topic]. Though the pros of a B.S far outweigh the bad imo.
Block scheduling done like this - 1,3,5,7 MW, and 2,4,6,8 done TTH (with Friday either a MW or a TTh, or an “all block”) is actually the most beneficial. The problem is when students do 1,2,3,4 in the Fall and 5,6,7,8 in the Spring: for continuous classes like Math and Foreign language (vs., say, American History followed by European History), it means students forget almost everything and progress is very slow, unless they take the class every semester until they run out of classes. Alternating days is ideal because you have one day to do homework, longer periods so you can go in-depth into a subject, your days aren’t repetitive, and 8 periods instead of 7.
My HS is changing to a “modified” scheduling next school year (it’s basically block but they’re not calling it that). I’m taking almost the same classes as you (I took AP bio as well because of the block scheduling) and I really think that it can help a lot if you take a lot of difficult classes. You don’t go to all of your classes each day so there’s less homework and more time for studying or for ECs. I’m pretty excited for it.
I started block scheduling in 9th grade and I like it WAAAAY better. It was hard at first because some classes were really boring, but I love having more time to do hw. Also another good thing about it is that having like 7 subjects a day can be pretty overwhelming and I remember information better when I have fewer classes for longer amounts of time.
Block scheduling is more like college, which is good for high school. The problem ends up being if you only have four periods one day and four the next day, if you miss a day you are missing a larger chunk of specific classes. But that can also be good to schedule doctor appointments during a 2-period long gym class for example.
When y’all get to college, you will think a 45 minute class is a complete waste of time, and that 90 minutes is the best. For a 45 minute class when changing classrooms, and the professor having to set up their computer and lecture slides, you are lucky to get 30 minutes of instruction.
I’ve never had any sort of block schedule, so I don’t really know the difference. But it definitely seems like it would be nice to not have to do much homework when I have marching band practice! How many classes do you have per day? 8?