Submitted by Julie Efffertz (not verified) on April 6, 2008 - 09:32.
Last year, our school began the transition between being a K-5 school to a K-8 school. We added 6th grade last year, 7th grade this year, and will add 8th grade next year. Since we only have one class per grade level, this year I taught all the math and science (my personal specialties) and the other teacher taught all the social studies and language. We both taught our own reading class (which the principal insists on having separately). However the scheduling for next year is an area of growing concern to me. My principal has stated that we will all teach our own reading and language, and we will switch once per day for math, science, and social studies--which I personally think is a ridiculous format. I have argued that the 3rd middle school teacher we hire should be someone who specializes in language/reading--I believe students should have experts in ALL of their content areas rather than the more generalist approach that most elementary schools (and this plan) follow. So I'm earnestly trying to come up with some alternative structures and schedules. Anyone in a small school with only 3 middle school teachers have any ideas? How do you switch? Please email me your schedule and/or comments ASAP.
Thanks for your help!
Julie
julieme@earthlink.net
PS. Students have gym, art, and music for 50 minutes once per week with a specialist.
Possible block schedules with only one 6th, 7th, 8th grade
Submitted by Julie Efffertz (not verified) on April 6, 2008 - 09:32.
Last year, our school began the transition between being a K-5 school to a K-8 school. We added 6th grade last year, 7th grade this year, and will add 8th grade next year. Since we only have one class per grade level, this year I taught all the math and science (my personal specialties) and the other teacher taught all the social studies and language. We both taught our own reading class (which the principal insists on having separately). However the scheduling for next year is an area of growing concern to me. My principal has stated that we will all teach our own reading and language, and we will switch once per day for math, science, and social studies--which I personally think is a ridiculous format. I have argued that the 3rd middle school teacher we hire should be someone who specializes in language/reading--I believe students should have experts in ALL of their content areas rather than the more generalist approach that most elementary schools (and this plan) follow. So I'm earnestly trying to come up with some alternative structures and schedules. Anyone in a small school with only 3 middle school teachers have any ideas? How do you switch? Please email me your schedule and/or comments ASAP.
Thanks for your help!
Julie
julieme@earthlink.net
PS. Students have gym, art, and music for 50 minutes once per week with a specialist.