tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10220498.post2886790409082618320..comments2024-03-21T15:59:25.263-05:00Comments on Math Teacher Mambo: Block ScheduleShireen Dadmehrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16282965851939089408noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10220498.post-6376820337044793952008-11-10T14:50:00.000-06:002008-11-10T14:50:00.000-06:00Well written article.Well written article.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10220498.post-42186572189361125382007-06-11T08:19:00.000-05:002007-06-11T08:19:00.000-05:00Jonathan,That's a good point. I can see how it's a...Jonathan,<BR/><BR/>That's a good point. I can see how it's alluring to just go on a wee bit longer and before you know it, time has run out. I keep flip flopping in my mind with the breadth versus depth argument. I want them to know a lot, but ultimately, what will they remember, and what do I really want them to take away from class. Things to ponder over summer.<BR/><BR/>Ms. CookieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10220498.post-21632292257877538702007-06-10T10:18:00.000-05:002007-06-10T10:18:00.000-05:00We teach 4 slightly extended periods per week. One...We teach 4 slightly extended periods per week. One danger is just letting a topic go on for a few more minutes. I try my best to cover old 2-lesson topics in one lesson. Also, I try to use the smaller bits of extra time (topic takes 35, I've got 20 left) to cover little "extras." In the four years we've worked this schedule my students have been able to see many many more extra topics, extra applications, extra hands on, extra puzzles, extra games then they would have ever seen before.<BR/><BR/>Biggest problem? Trips and Holidays. Talk to other teachers and admins now, before you get into it, to let them know that if Friday in two weeks is a day off, Wednesday this week is a horrible day for a trip. Someone should keep score.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10220498.post-21082798315889117322007-06-07T17:05:00.000-05:002007-06-07T17:05:00.000-05:00Thanks for both of your comments. Something new to...Thanks for both of your comments. Something new to add to my toolbox :). I didn't think about looking at the textbook resources, so that should garner some good ideas. Also, I was wondering if I could teach 2 topics in one class, so that gives me a place to start.<BR/><BR/>Ms. CookieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10220498.post-15118727654967807872007-06-07T00:03:00.000-05:002007-06-07T00:03:00.000-05:00One strategy that I've seen used (and have been ab...One strategy that I've seen used (and have been able to pull off successfully from time to time) is to have two topics open at once. So you use the first half of the class to deal with one thing (say, polar coordinates) and then the second half is devoted to something totally different (like complex numbers). They key is to make a big deal out of the switch so that the students can reset themselves. Have them switch to new desks or something. Of course, I like it best when eventually the two topics come together as one (like in my examples) but I think this way of structuring time and content works even if that's not the case.<BR/><BR/>Block with math are hard, but they do allow for deeper work and if you can find ways to take advantage of the extra time you can get more done. Right now I'm having pairs of students teach mini-lessons for review and I can fit three 20-minute sessions with time for feedback to each pair and time for class business into each block meeting. That's pretty cool. I don't think I would make them prepare and teach such detailed lessons if it was going to take 2 weeks to get through the whole class. But if it's one week of presentations, I feel good about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10220498.post-31675567179949966152007-06-05T20:52:00.000-05:002007-06-05T20:52:00.000-05:00I loved teaching on the block, but I am an English...I loved teaching on the block, but I am an English teacher. The math teachers struggled with it much more because math is one of those where you need to keep in touch with your students. The students will do much better if they remember to do their homework the night it's assigned rather than the night before it's due. I still don't know how the math teachers did it, but I know it was a constant struggle for them. The teachers who didn't struggle were the ones who only ended up covering half the material because they gave their students too much time to work in class rather than giving the home they used to.<BR/><BR/>You're on the right track, though, by quickly realizing that you're going to have to teach a little differently!<BR/><BR/>Check your textbook resources. A lot of companies have resources and plans for using their books on a block. Some are generic, but others give you a plan of what sequence and time frame to use.<BR/><BR/>Good luck!HappyChyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586840416488114845noreply@blogger.com