Students+and+Learning

Below, please find the items the SAG extracted from the Task Force Recommendations that pertain to scheduling. They are in blue. Please add any other scheduling considerations you have below them in black.


 * Find a way to incorporate service learning into the schedule.
 * Students need time to consolidate learning (Levine 2002), take a break from new learning, and unwind; therefore a) there should be no more than two classes in a row without a break, b) we should build in self-reflection opportunities regularly, and c) time needs to be built into class periods for "consolidation" of learned material, which might require longer periods.
 * Since exercise has a positive effect on classroom learning: get them moving. Give them time to release energy, time to socialize and connect, for example, by lengthening lunch (combined w/recess).
 * Size of classes - all teachers, with the exception of Science and PE, requested that consideration be given to how class sizes might be made smaller.

> We only have these classes once a week, therefore we depend on : ART IN THE CLASSROOM, which meets for 45 minutes once a week for 10 weeks in first and second grade, and for half of the year in Third grade. > KINDERGARTEN ART: We believe Kindergarteners need art every day. (this means that classroom teachers need to incorporate it in their regular day.) (Place more emphasis on play as creativity in Kindergarten, rather than more reading and writing)
 * Recess -- lots of it. Everyday, perhaps more than once. After lunch would be great (at least for the US)
 * In the ART department, we have found that 45 minutes is optimal for kindergarteners, whereas One hour is optimal for all other classes, including Middle School and Upper School Electives. (We now have only 45 minutes in the middles school elective and in one U.S. elective, and it makes it very difficult to finish projects)
 * The 4th grade team discussed how the day should begin in the homeroom for a morning meeting and end in the homeroom as a wrap-up. The boys need this routine so that they can be better prepared for the transitions and get more organized.
 * Rethink //how// subjects are blocked and integrated, i.e., a blues writing section of music taught within the 7th grade curriculum
 * Science classes -- at least MS classes -- would all benefit from being an hour long, for the same reasons given by art department members: finishing projects/ experiments, etc. with some time to re-cap and reflect
 * MS Science boys would benefit from meeting 5x per week instead of 4, mainly since more and more principals are folded in nowadays (eg. the engineering process, specific math and research skills, etc.). The richness of current events in the world of science, background stories about the lives of scientists, and more, lose their rightful place to the "business" of doing science.
 * 6th and 8th grade science students could have sections meet for labs and meet as an entire grade for lectures (auditorium) once or twice a week.
 * Right now, the Lower School schedule works very well. We have been able to alternate academic time with active/free time. If there is any way we can preserve this rhythm, it would be terrific.
 * What do we believe about homework? We need to figure this out. What is its purpose and value? Do we expect boys to sacrifice sleep to get homework finished? Does this happen? Can the homework goals be accomplished in school time?
 * US history classes would benefit from meeting for longer periods on time - Currently, one of the 7th grade history classes meets before or after lunch 4 days a week and often that means those classes are about 35 minutes long. In addition, the 8th grade meets only 4x a week and only one block is for an hour.
 * Can the time set aside for the teaching of writing in the US be used as "fluid" time that could be used by any teacher working on a writing project?
 * A real break for US students mid way through the morning where they could have a real snack and use that time to see teachers for extra-help.
 * Bring the "real" world into the classroom. Longer periods required.
 * Spanish - for 3rd grade, or a grade in the middle school where half a group is taught, we can have a “game day”, with the entire class group, on Fridays, every week. This class could last for a bit longer time, and can also meet on or just before the last day of vacation.
 * 6th grade would have Spanish four times per week.