Block Scheduling

[Tinye Harding <TINYE@MCDUFFIE.K12.GA.US>]

We are on an eight  block schedule at our school and have been for four =
=3D
years.  The first couple of years there were many adjustments no only in =
=3D
teaching styles, but in the mechanics of scheduling.  As a media specialist=
=3D
 we were concerned that everyone would not have time to schedule their =3D
classes in the media center for needed research if we kept the periods to =
=3D
90 minutes.  We decided to split the periods in half and schedule classes =
=3D
for only 45 minutes at a time.  Since our scheduling is flexible, the =3D
teachers made the decision as to when they wanted to bring their classes =
=3D
and how often.  Most students loose interest in research after 45 minutes =
=3D
so the teacher could do a reinforcement activity, concentrate on another =
=3D
aspect of the lesson, or do preliminary research in the classroom.  Some =
=3D
teachers feel (college prep classes) can spend more time and we work with =
=3D
them.  We try to only schedule one class at a 45 minute block, but on =3D
occasion we have had more that one class at a time working in the media =
=3D
center.  The teacher makes the decision based on the activity being done =
=3D
by their class and the other class.=20

We do have orientation for 90 minute periods with the freshmen and they =
=3D
come for a series of times to get a full picture of the media center. Our =
=3D
freshmen all take a class we call ""study skills" that helps them=20
adjust to high school life. =3D20

Our eight block schedule means that students meet four classes one day and =
=3D
four classes another day.  We call them A and B days.  Because of this we =
=3D
don't see the same classes day after day in the media center even if a =3D
project is scheduled to be done in several class periods. =3D20

Tinye L. Harding, Media / Technology Specialist
Thomson High School, Thomosn, GA=20
tinye@mcduffie.k12.ga.us

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