By Tom Burgess, MS Principal thomasb@isb.ac.th
More Electives! More Choices! More Individualized Learning Opportunities! To learn more and ask questions about the new MS schedule we are developing for next year, you are invited to attend a MS Parent Meeting on Wednesday, March 27 either in the morning from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, or in the evening from 7:00-8:00 pm. Both meetings will take place in MPB1.
Our current schedule is problematic for a number of reasons, and surveys of students, parents and teachers earlier this year indicated a strong desire to have more elective opportunities, which are limited under our current schedule. The main benefit of the new schedule we are working on is that it provides more CHOICE for students and parents to meet their INDIVIDUAL NEEDS and INTERESTS. For example, if a struggling student needs more Math or a high achieving student wants more Math, they will have new opportunities to support them. Or if another student is passionate about Music, they can have even more time than they do now by taking a Music enrichment class (such as an Ensemble, Composition, or Music Technology class).
There will be additional opportunities in all areas within the new schedule, with possibilities including Creative Writing, Model United Nations, 3D Design, Math Counts, U.S. History, etc. In the arts, students in grades 7-8 will now be able to take Music AND Art or other electives, and not be limited to just one elective.
Our schedule will be based upon the principles of flexible scheduling, which allow for varied time lengths for class periods that are appropriate for Middle School learning needs. If you are interested, you can read more about flexible and block scheduling concepts from these resources provided by the Association for Middle Level Education (USA):
Designing an Effective Middle Level Schedule
Creating Flexible Structures for Learning
Block Classes Change Instructional Practice—Carpe Diem!
The opportunity for longer class periods (rather than our current ‘one size fits all’ industrial-era model of 55 minute periods) can be very beneficial if instructed well. Science classes, for example, will have opportunities for longer periods to conduct their labs. PE and Art will have longer periods, which will allow for longer instructional time given the necessity for changing clothes and set-up/clean-up. There is evidence that longer periods are beneficial to learning in Mathematics as well, particularly in inquiry-based math programs (such as our Connected Math Program). You can see research on this correlation at these sources:
Impact of a Ninety Minute Math Block Schedule on Math Achievement of Middle School Students
The Effect of Block Scheduling on Middle School Students’ Mathematics Achievement
We look forward to seeing you next Wednesday and sharing with you how our new schedule will be able to better meet more of your child(ren)’s learning needs.