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| Schedule blocks to support
rigorous interdisciplinary units
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To
accommodate academically rigorous classes, interdisciplinary
units, and external internships, Best Practice High School
designed its schedule to offer extended periods. Students
have six classes that meet on Mondays and Fridays for
50 minutes each, and also meet either Tuesdays or Thursdays
for 100-minute blocks. |
| Teachers
use these blocks for integrated thematic units. Wednesdays
are used for internships and "choice" periods in which
elective classes are offered. |
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| Schedule to accommodate
extended projects |
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In
fall 1999, Mumford High School faculty and parents began
a process to apply for permission from the district to
move to a block schedule. Most teachers with whom researchers
spoke saw this as a positive development, and thus far,
according to principal Linda Spight, the faculty is 90%
in favor of the plan. |
| Mumford teachers view
block scheduling as an opportunity to implement more extended
project-based learning in their classrooms. Technology
coordinator Claudia Burton believes it will be especially
beneficial for students using the Tech Center, because
they will have much larger blocks of time to work on projects.
A final vote took place in winter 1999, and training began
in May 2000, using district professional development funds.
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