My school has made drastic changes to our schedule to try to help students achieve in both Math and English. One of the things we did last year was create a block schedule. Students at my school only take 4 classes a semester. All math and English classes still meet for an entire year for 90 minute periods everyday! All other courses meet everyday but only last for a quarter or a semester. This has really allowed me to spend time helping students truly understand the mathematics that I am teaching. A lot of teachers were nervous about teaching for 90 minute periods, but the structure of the Carnegie lessons has made it a breeze for me!
Another change we made was something we call math enrichment. Each math teacher has one period a day where they co-teach with another regular education math teacher. The two teachers can choose to use any of the co-teaching methods that they are comfortable with. The math enrichment teacher has a list of targeted students that he or she focuses on, but really ends up helping all students. Sometimes we split students into flexible groups and work in separate classrooms and other times she just walks around helping students that have questions. It is so nice to have another person in the room that can help students when they get stuck!
Unfortunately we do not have enough teachers for everyone to have a co-teacher each hour and even the hour I do have a co-teacher she does not come everyday. We have made a flexible schedule and teachers go to a specific place each day unless specifically asked to help out in another area. It's nice to know that if I need someone to help out with a particular project or activity all we have to do is adjust the math enrichment schedule.
A blog written BY teachers FOR other teachers. Learn more about the Carnegie Learning curricula: best practices, pacing, classroom management, and more!
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Note: The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the writer(s), and do not represent those of Carnegie Learning, Inc.
1 comment:
Brandy, I am so jealous of your 90-minute block and co-teaching schedule! For students to really understand math, they need the gift of time. Students who struggle need even more time. Sounds like your school is trying out a new program that will definitely benefit your students. I don't see that happening at my school anytime soon. With budget cuts and an anticipated enrollment growth of 25% - 30% in the next year or two, I don't know how we're going to meet the needs of our students. Best of luck! Let us know how your school year goes with the 90-minute class periods and co-teaching model.
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