proposal essay final-eng-240
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Grand Canyon University *
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240
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English
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Feb 20, 2024
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docx
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Block Schedule Proposal
Isabella Parks
Grand Canyon University
Eng-240
Erica Reed
11/05/2023
2
Block Schedule Proposal
Schools are trying to find new ways to create a less hectic day for students and teachers. Parents, teachers, and board members finally realize and are speaking out about the stress students are going through trying to achieve good grades. Schools are seeing teachers struggling to fit everything that needs to be covered in their lesson plans in a short amount of time. Students
are also being impacted by the pressure of their numerous classes and homework assignments every night. Schools are actively exploring innovative approaches to support students amidst the ongoing issue of academic stress. One of the ideas that has been floating around is the 4x4 block schedule. Schools that have adopted the block schedule are seeing that the block schedule is beneficial, less stressful, and helps teachers in the classroom.
Block Scheduling is Beneficial
The block schedule is beneficial to students as it allows students to go above and beyond the required number of credits to graduate. Many states are increasing the number of credits to graduate to “24 credits” (Rettig & Canady, 1999). Schools that follow the block schedule split the eight courses for the year into two semesters.
They would take four classes in
the first semester and four in the last school semester. Students would be in class for longer times
to be able to complete the class in a “90-day period, allowing for students to graduate with up to 32 credits” (Rettig & Canady, 1999). The block schedule is innovative because it allows students the opportunity to earn more credits and graduate while exceeding expectations.
Students Feel Less Stressed
Students have enough stress when it comes to school, and homework every night only adds to their stress levels. Implementing a block schedule in schools reduces the stress students
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are feeling. Schools that already follow a block schedule see students more willing to attend and participate in the classroom. With students in class, more schools also see an increase in “grades and number of kids on the honor roll” (Rettig & Canady, 1999). Since there is more time in the classroom, students can ask more questions to get clarification if they are having difficulty understanding the lesson. Students can “give more attention to their classes instead of being pulled in multiple directions” (5 Benefits of Block Scheduling, n.d.). The 4x4 block schedule gives students the time in class to start on their homework, which helps students feel more in control of their time outside of school.
Helps Teachers
Teachers struggle with large class numbers and have little time to complete their lesson plans in the allotted time frame. In schools, multiple teachers teach more than one subject as there are just not enough people in the profession right now. Switching to a 4x4 block schedule can help with the teacher shortages that are being seen. The block schedule will allow teachers to
“focus on one subject while seeing fewer students in their classroom” (5 Benefits of Block Scheduling, n.d.). This schedule helps since every student will not have different schedules anymore. Schools that already follow a block schedule see teachers taking advantage of the extra time by not rushing through their lesson plans. Salas (2022) states that fewer classes and fewer disruptions improve lessons and daily tasks a teacher might do (para. 9). Adapting the 4x4 block schedule will enable teachers to go into more in-depth lessons that will allow for more critical thinking and deepen the conversations in the classroom. Kerry Benton, a literacy teacher whose school is new to the block schedule, said, “We now have the time to take the lesson one step further and engage with our students” (Walker, 2016). Teachers will have the time to give one-on-one attention to their students during their independent study time. With the traditional
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schedule that we have now, it is hard to have activities that are fun and engaging that follow a lesson plan, as there is just not enough time in the period. According to Kelly (2019), adapting block scheduling and increasing time in classroom activities can be achieved in one setting (para.
4). Adding activities into the classroom allows for all the different learning needs to be met in a fun and engaging way.
Parent Concerns
While many studies have shown there are significant benefits to having a block schedule, there are always concerns among parents about how changing the schedule will impact their children. Many parents believe changing the school day will be a negative experience for their children. They fear their children “will have difficulty staying focused and engaged in a 90-
minute class” (Walker, 2016). One of the more significant concerns that parents have when it comes to this schedule is what happens when a student misses’ class. With being in class for a more extended period every day, there is a lot of material that is gone over. According to Kelly (2019), students who miss one day are missing two days (para. 5). The last thing that parents are questioning and have concerns about is whether students can retain the information that is being taught in both “math and foreign languages” (Rettig & Canady, 1999). They fear by not having those classes every day that they will not be able to remember them. Since block scheduling is a newer idea for schools this information is still being studied currently.
How To Make It Work
While switching to the 4x4 block schedule can be challenging for schools, there are some things that schools can do to help make the process easier. Schools that take time to listen to the students, parents, and teachers can work together to help fix the problems that arise. Another way to help when switching to the block schedule is to make sure that schools take it
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slow and do not jump right in. Schools need to make sure that they provide “professional development days” (Walker, 2016), as this will help when class periods are extended. Schools who take the time to do these suggestions will see the transition go smoothly. Implementing a 4x4 block schedule would be beneficial for our school going forward.
Block scheduling helps reduce the amount of stress that both teachers and students face daily. It allows for more time in the classroom for in-depth learning and activities that are sometimes non-existent with a traditional style schedule. Through the evidence that was found students who have this type of schedule thrive and schools are seeing higher numbers in grades and attendance. Studies have been done to show that there are great successes in schools that have already implemented this type of schedule. I am confident that our school can be successful
too.
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References
5 Benefits of block scheduling
. (n.d.). https://www.masterofartsinteaching.net/lists/5-benefits-of-
block-scheduling/
Kelly, M. (2019, July 29). The pros and cons of block schedules
. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/class-block-scheduling-pros-and-cons-6460
Rettig, M., & Canady, R. L. (1999, March 1). The effects of block scheduling
. Default. https://www.aasa.org/resources/resource/the-effects-of-block-scheduling
Salas, R. (2022, June 22). Education Advanced, Inc.
Education Advanced, Inc. https://educationadvanced.com/resources/blog/the-block-schedule-system-7-pros-and-3-
cons/
Walker, T. (2016, March 4). Are block schedules the Stress-Buster students need? | NEA
. https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/are-block-schedules-stress-buster-
students-need
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