Educator's Guide to Block Scheduling, An: Decision Making, Curriculum Design, and Lesson Planning Strategies

by Bevevino, Mary M.; Snodgrass, Dawn M.; Adams, Kenneth M.; Dengel, Joan A.

• ISBN13: 9780205278473
• ISBN10: 0205278477
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

Educational reform often brings changes which are superficial at best and artificial at worst. However, a change is beginning to occur within secondary schools which is altering the fundamental structure of education in an attempt to create real improvement in the way in which American students are taught: the restructuring of the school day by means of extended time periods for instruction. Though it sounds simple, this restructuring will actually result in a total reconsideration of the way in which students learn, the way in which teachers teach, and ultimately, the way in which the school day is conducted. This book provides a balanced review of the points every district must consider when adopting a block schedule. Each of the four major subject areas taught in the high school level--Mathematics, Science, English, and Social Studies--has a specific chapter set aside for an in-depth discussion of the points which must be considered in planning and implementing the block. Various models of extended block schedules provide an insightful overview of how extended time periods for instruction will contribute to a more positive learning environment for students and teachers alike. School administrators, practicing teachers, educational consultants, parents, students interested in issues of education. A Longwood Professional Book

Table of Contents

Preface	xi	(2)
Acknowledgments	xiii
PART ONE	1	(62)
1 Considering the Block	3	(8)
Rationale for Alternative Scheduling	5	(2)
The School Climate	6	(1)
Student Learning	6	(1)
The Teaching Environment	6	(1)
Success with the Extended-Block Schedule	7	(4)
Considerations	8	(3)
2 Examining Models and Making Decisions	11	(16)
Common Models of Intensive Scheduling	12	(4)
The Semester Block	13	(2)
Alternating Blocks	15	(1)
75-75-30 Plan	16	(1)
Variables	16	(5)
Curriculum	17	(1)
Instructional Methods	18	(1)
Resource Allocation	19	(1)
Contractual Obligations	20	(1)
Assessment	20	(1)
The Rubrics	21	(6)
3 Cooperative and Collaborative Strategies	27	(14)
Background	27	(1)
Cooperative Learning Is Not Just Another Name for Group Work	28	(2)
Making Cooperative Learning Work	30	(5)
Low-Risk Cooperative Strategies	35	(1)
Focus Friends	35	(1)
Talking Tiles	35	(1)
Two-Minute Interviews	35	(1)
Drill Partners	36	(1)
Homework Help	36	(1)
Cooperative Structures to Use in the Extended Block	36	(4)
Jigsaw	36	(1)
Think-Pair-Share	37	(1)
Roundrobin	38	(1)
Numbered Heads Together	38	(2)
Summary	40	(1)
4 A Time for Inquiry and Discovery	41	(11)
Inquiry Models	42	(6)
Inquiry Training	42	(3)
BSCS Inquiry	45	(1)
Jurisprudential Inquiry	46	(2)
The Learning Cycle	48	(4)
5 Incorporating Study Skills	52	(11)
Essential Content	53	(1)
Guided Textbook Reading	54	(7)
Guided Previewing	54	(1)
Prediction/Anticipation Guide	54	(2)
Cooperative Reading Guide (COOR Guide)	56	(1)
Textbook Activity Guide	57	(2)
GRASP	59	(1)
K-W-L	60	(1)
Graphic Organizers/Semantic Maps	61	(1)
Summary	62	(1)
PART TWO	63	(60)
6 Teaching English	65	(16)
Four Advantages in the English Classroom	65	(4)
Planning Instruction for the Extended Block	69	(2)
Cooperative Learning and Collaboration: Integral Components in the Integrated Language Arts Lesson	71	(2)
Inquiry Learning and the Integrated Language Arts Lesson	73	(2)
Incorporating Learning Stations into Literature, Writing, and Grammar/Usage Instruction	75	(6)
7 Teaching Science	81	(14)
Advantages in the Science Classroom	81	(1)
Science Education Reform and Science Standards	82	(3)
Planning for Science Instruction	85	(6)
The Traditional Laboratory Revisited	85	(1)
Inquiry Planning	86	(1)
Planning the Learning Cycle	87	(4)
Cooperative Strategies in the Science Classroom	91	(4)
The Laboratory Experience	91	(1)
The Unit Review	92	(3)
8 Teaching Social Studies	95	(12)
Advantages of the Block Schedule	95	(4)
Planning for Instruction	99	(3)
Guidelines for Effective Implementation	102	(5)
9 Teaching Mathematics	107	(16)
Advantages in the Math Classroom	107	(1)
Mathematics Standards	108	(1)
Planning for the Extended Block	109	(1)
Inquiry-Based Learning Strategies with Math Instruction	110	(1)
Cooperative Learning	111	(2)
Study Skills	113	(2)
Writing Opportunities in the Math Classroom	115	(5)
Index-Card Closure	116	(1)
The Informal Journal	116	(1)
The Writing Log	117	(1)
The Quick Write	117	(1)
Translation Time	118	(1)
Writing and Presenting Problems	118	(1)
Writing Directions	119	(1)
Word Bank Review	119	(1)
Further Considerations and Options	120	(3)
PART THREE Suggestions from Colleagues	123	(40)
Algebra I: Linear Equations	125	(1)
Algebra II: Quadratic Equations	126	(1)
Biology: Animal Kingdoms	127	(1)
Calculus: AP Calculus: The Decay Process	128	(1)
Career Planning: Career Choices	129	(1)
Child Development: Planning for a Baby	130	(1)
Ecology: Endangered Species	131	(1)
Economics: Starting a New Business	132	(1)
English: Literature, History, Music of the '20s and '30s	133	(1)
English: Poe's "Fall of the House of Usher"	134	(1)
English: The Mystery Novel	135	(1)
English: American Literature: Emily Dickinson	136	(1)
English: Creative Writing	137	(2)
English: Elements of a Story	139	(1)
English: The Short Story	140	(1)
English: Note Taking	141	(1)
English: American Poetry	142	(1)
English: Personal Essay	143	(1)
Family and Consumer Science: Foods 3: Menu Planning	144	(1)
Family and Consumer Science: Food Preparation: Restaurant Project	145	(1)
Family and Consumer Science: Food Preparation: Safety and Measuring Equipment	146	(1)
Family and Consumer Science: Food Preparation: Italian Cuisine	147	(1)
Family and Consumer Science: Independent Living: Employment	148	(1)
Family and Consumer Science: Independent Living: Nutrition and Health	149	(1)
General Science: Properties of Minerals	150	(1)
Geography: Upper South Region	151	(1)
German: German 1	152	(1)
Physical Science: Physical and Chemical Changes	153	(1)
Physics: Friction	154	(1)
Social Studies: U.S. History: Immigration	155	(1)
Social Studies: U.S. History: Depression of 1893 and Rise of the Populist Party	156	(1)
Social Studies: U.S. History: Inventions	157	(1)
Social Studies: American Government: The Federal Judiciary	158	(1)
Spanish: Spanish I: Doler	159	(1)
Spanish: Spanish I: Parts of the Body	160	(3)
References	163	(6)
Index	169