Highland considers block scheduling

Posted 4/28/21

Highland science teacher Kurtis Trout and agriculture teacher Gina Trower reported their findings and beliefs surrounding block scheduling. Both suggested it would be an improvement for students and …

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Highland considers block scheduling

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Highland science teacher Kurtis Trout and agriculture teacher Gina Trower reported their findings and beliefs surrounding block scheduling. Both suggested it would be an improvement for students and educators alike.

“I’m really excited, as a teacher, to go to block scheduling,” Trower said.

Block scheduling would see eight school periods stretched across two days instead of one. Each class would therefore be twice as long as they currently are. Four classes one day and four the next, alternating which classes are taken day to day.

“True learning is not linear,” Trout said. “In a 48-minute time period, I don’t have time to let [students] explore. I don’t have time to let them do misconceptions and then come to their own conclusions.”

Trout said the scheduling would allow for the easier and more in-depth teaching of various educational concepts.

“The kids drive the inquiry engine,” he said. “If you get too constructive, then you’re just spoon-feeding the kids.”

Longer class periods would allow students a better opportunity to engage with the concepts and materials provided to them at their own pace, Trout said.

“I feel as right now, I’m on a time crunch,” Trower said. “I have to get to this part of the curriculum by this part of the year…to keep everybody on the same page right now in all of my classes, it’s hard.”

She said classes that largely rely on lectures and memorization would be improved by giving instructors more time to introduce tactile ways of learning to their students. In effect, block scheduling would let them interact with material instead of just hearing about it.

“Kids are kinesthetic and visual learners, a hundred percent,” Trower said.

Board member Megan Allen asked the teachers how the restructuring would keep students engaged over class periods twice the length they’re used to.

Their response was to be passionate. If teachers come up with unique ways of presenting information and are excited about the topics they’re teaching, Trout said, that enthusiasm would spread.

“When you find out what you’re passionate about,” he said, “that passion exudes to the kids.”

Highland is considering implementing block schedule changes starting in the 2021-22 school year. They had been in touch with other area high schools to see how they were handling the schedule.