Columbia Middle School School Schedule 2013-2014 A Proposal: Rotate and Drop 1
Rationale Increase student achievement Address changes in curriculum (Common Core Standards) Enhance the district initiative of the implementation of Understanding by Design (UbD) which will facilitate effective classroom objectives, activities, and assessments Provide time for differentiation Whole group, small group, and individual instruction Delve more deeply into the content – Quality over quantity The use of multiple approaches to accommodate multiple intelligences Provide time for greater access to enrichment and co- curricular activities 2
Rotate & Drop Allows for increased time in each class ~ 46 vs. 57 mins. Students meet for six classes each day Continues to offer the regular eight period day but now in a rotation that “drops” two classes to the next day Affords opportunities for expanding enrichment offerings during Enrichment Period (E.P.) Includes a common lunch More access to the media center and computer labs 3
Rotate & Drop A well-tested middle school model Watchung Middle School Mt. Pleasant Middle School, Livingston The Hun School of Princeton Chatham Middle School Madison Junior High Scotch Plains Presently used at Governor Livingston 4
The 8-Period Rotation with Drop Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Period A-E B-F C-G D-H 1 A B C D 2 B C D A 3 C D A B Lunch 4 E F G H 5 F G H E 6 G H E F 5
Research: Brown (2001) – Teachers report longer class periods allowed for a wider variety of instructional strategies that were more consistent with students needs. Changes that benefit students included time for student reflection, critical thinking and more student-to-student collaboration. George and Alexander (1993) – Noted that interdisciplinary teams in a flexible schedule is the basic organizational framework of the exemplary middle level school. Arhar & Irvin (1985) – Regarded the argument of “getting to know a student by seeing them each day” and concluded that longer class periods can permit greater personalization of instruction and thereby permit greater depth of understanding of students and their needs. Canady & Rettig (1995) – In a longer class period, teachers have the opportunity to use more effective teaching strategies (cooperative learning, exploration, inquiry, case-study, simulations) that are more difficult to implement during a shorter class time. Williamson (1998) – A schedule that rotates changes the order of classes from day-to-day. When used, teachers and students report that the schedule changes their perception of one another and the content area, often because both students and teachers perform differently at different times during the day. 6
What options were explored? Eliminating OP and allocating that time into each class Created concerns over the number of expectations/assignments students would be required to prep for each day Block/Modified Block Scheduling Ninety minute blocks of time are too long for many students in middle school – Blocks that skip every other day lose momentum and continuity The “A/B” daily schedule As with the block schedule, momentum and continuity issues Drop Schedule Conflicts with shared staff, no real gains for enrichment options Result None of the above met the challenge of offering increased time and increased opportunities for enrichment 7
~Enrichment Period~ E.P. includes experiences OP could not. • Includes Cycle classes and Scheduled Advisory cycle • World Languages (6 th grade only) • Allows time for completion of homework • When E.P. falls adjacent to lunch, practice sessions for Chorus/Band can be extended • Continues to run concurrently with the grade level teaching teams for help and access 8
Typical Sixth Grade Schedule Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 E.P. / W.L. LAL/Reading Math LAL/Writing 8:15 - 9:14 LAL/Reading Math LAL/Writing E.P. / W.L. 9:16 - 10:13 Math LAL/Writing E.P. / Bands LAL/Reading 10:15 - 11:12 Lunch Soc. St. Computers Science Phys. Ed. 12:05 - 1:02 Computers Science Phys. Ed. Soc. St. 1:04 - 2:01 Science Phys. Ed. Soc. St. Computers 2:03 - 3:00 9
Typical Seventh Grade Schedule Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 E.P. Life Sci. English Technology 8:15 - 9:14 Life Sci. English Technology E.P. 9:16 - 10:13 English Technology Band/Chor. Life Sci. 10:15 - 11:12 Lunch French Algebra Phys. Ed. Soc. St. 12:05 - 1:02 Algebra Phys. Ed. Soc. St. French 1:04 - 2:01 Phys. Ed. Soc. St. French Algebra 2:03 - 3:00 10
Typical Eighth Grade Schedule Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 English Phys. Ed. Life Skills Italian 8:15 - 9:14 Phys. Ed. Life Skills Italian English 9:16 - 10:13 Life Skills Italian English Phys. Ed. 10:15 - 11:12 Lunch Band/Chor. Geometry Soc. St. Earth Sci. 12:05 - 1:02 Geometry Soc. St. Earth Sci. E.P. 1:04 - 2:01 Soc. St. Earth Sci. E.P. Geometry 2:03 - 3:00 11
Advantages of Proposed Rotate and Drop Schedule for Students More hands-on labs, fewer teacher demonstrations More time to get one-on-one time with the teacher More opportunity to explore and collaborate in small groups Greater access time to the building’s technology Students experience classes at different times of the day Students seeing 6 classes a day versus 7 or 8 in the present schedule allows them to better focus on each class Less of the day is spent in transition from room to room Less number of classes each day = less evening prep time, less concerns, reducing anxiety 12
Advantages of Proposed Rotate and Drop Schedule for Teachers Increased opportunity to differentiate instruction while seeking answers to the essential questions Time for whole group, small group, and individual instruction Qualitative, meaning quality work over quantity work Multiple approaches to accommodate multiple intelligences Team time allows for greater collaborative thinking and teaching opportunities Students are seen in classes at different times of the day Sixth grade teachers develop an even greater expertise in a specific content More time will allow for more engaging hands-on experiences and labs More time to engage students to explore and discover 13
• Lunch begins by every student having a seat at a table with friends • Lunch will be served from multiple stations set in both rooms • Regular cafeteria tables will be set in the Cafeteria for grade six and the Gold Gym for 7 th and 8 th grade • Staff will supervise both lunch areas as we do now • During class meetings with the building administration, whole grades will be moved into the cafeteria for those discussions 14
• The Library will be open during lunch for independent research • Computer Labs will be available to complete projects. All computers will have access to the students’ own digital storage space • Quiet rooms for homework and reading, others to complete projects with partners • Special meetings and dialogs with building administration • Grade level and multi grade level guidance groups • a wonderful opportunity to build a sense of community across all grade levels • Students’ input will be encouraged to enhance future activities • Teachers will be encouraged to provide ideas for alternate experiences 15
Lunch A Menu of Enrichment Options Art Club Knowledge Masters Chorus Men In Black Boys Chorus Drama Club Science Club Drummers Club School Newspaper French Club Spanish Club Future Film Makers Club Student Government Golf Club Vocal Ensemble Jazz Band Yearbook Club 16
Cost/Benefit Analysis: Cost: Recurring Costs (Approximately $100k) Staff Increase: One 6 th Grade Teacher Enrichment/World Language Teachers by percentages New club advisors as approved P.E./Health by percentages Allotment of duty periods during lunch could reduce present supervision expense One Time Costs (21k) Lunch tables Floor cover/Miscellaneous equipment 17
Cost/Benefit Analysis: Benefit: Longer class time and fewer interruptions will provide students with a deeper understanding of a more focused curriculum Additional technology experience offers prep time for future PARCC testing which will be online and timed E.P. continues to allow students access to their teaching team for assistance on a rotational basis with the advent of enrichment classes Moving sixth grade to two teams focuses teachers on a single content Increased regularly scheduled visits with a counselor will build self esteem, develop better character, and make for a more positive middle school experience 18
Work Moving Forward Includes Creating Schedule in PowerSchool Organizing a four day “live run” during this school year Teaching staff meetings and lesson planning Full year schedules for all co-curricular programs Custodial/Kitchen staff meetings 19
Proposal That the board of education approve the outlined Rotate and Drop Schedule for the 2013 – 2014 school year 20
Columbia Middle School School Schedule 2013-2014 21
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