Block scheduling in high school

[David Burrous]

Dear Seelangers:

I need your help.  In the high school where I teach we have a modified
block schedule.  This means that on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays; we have
6 classes of 55 minutes each.  (ie periods 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are all 55
minutes long on Monday, Tuesday, and Fridays.)  On Wednesdays and Thursdays
periods are 95 minutes long!  On Wednesday we meet periods 1, 2, and 3
(each 95 minutes long).  On Thursday we meet periods 4, 5, and 6 (also 95
minutes long).  (We get to eat lunch too, but I didn't want to confuse the
issue.)

We in the department of foreign languages hate this type of schedule;
especially the block days.  We don't think that it is appropriate for
beginning language learners.  We would prefer a schedule where we see the
students every day of the week.  Also, the block day is very difficult for
us, as our class is a skill class and the kids get tired.

Our school administration is considering continuing this schedule or going
to a complete block schedule:  95 minute classes meeting every other day;
(ie 1, 2, and 3 meet one day and 4, 5, and 6, meet the next day; 1, 2, and
3, meet the next day, and 4, 5, and 6 meet the next day, ad infinitum.)

Any support that you could give us as to why you think that such a schedule
is inappropriate for the study of a beginning foreign language would be
much appreciated.  If you could send me an e.mail, off list, citing your
arguments against such a schedule, with your name, title, and school; it
would be very much appreciated.  Our administration does not seem to be
impressed with our arguments, and our hope is that if we can garner some
support from other secondary and university faculty, it might help our
cause.

Thank you very much in advance for any help that you can give us in this matter.

Sincerely,

David E. Burrous                         * phone:       (303) 465-1144
Standley Lake Sr. High School | voice mail: (303) 982-3221
9300 West 104th Avenue          (  ) fax:           (303) 465-1403
Westminster, CO  80021,  USA   |  | e.mail:  burrous at csn.net