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The Block Scheduling Handbook

Second Edition
By: J. Allen Queen

A comprehensive, step-by-step handbook on making the most of block scheduling!

Block scheduling is a popular way of restructuring the school day to promote better student-teacher rapport, more in-depth learning, improved discipline, higher morale, and better grades. This updated resource provides administrators and teachers with the tools to design a successful program, including:

Discussions of elementary, middle, and high schools on the block
Three block schedule models and the advantages and disadvantages of each
Classroom management and student-centered instructional strategies
Guidance on curriculum alignment and assessment methods
Sample lessons and templates to get programs running

Full description

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Product Details

Grade Level: K-12
ISBN: 9781412963015
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2008
Page Count: 288
Publication date: January 28, 2013

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Description

"A wonderful guide for school leaders as they create a contemporary schedule for middle and high school students to take advantage of a variety of curricular offerings. This second addition is comprehensive, with numerous subject-centered examples and detailed specifics for those desiring to move to more advanced designs. It is no wonder why Queen is often referred to as the father of the new block schedule."
—Henry Peel, Wachovia Distinguished Professor
East Carolina University

A comprehensive, step-by-step handbook on making the most of block scheduling!

Block scheduling is one of the most popular ways of restructuring the school day, and schools engaged in some form of alternative scheduling have seen significant benefits. This ready-to-use guidebook provides educators with the tools they need to design a successful block scheduling program that results in better student-teacher rapport, more in-depth learning, improved discipline, higher morale, and better grades. Revised to include updated resources and a brand-new overview on block scheduling, this second edition provides:

Insightful discussions of elementary, middle, and high schools on the block, including an in-depth case study of an ideal elementary curriculum
Three specific block schedule models, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and ways to find the best fit
Classroom management and student-centered instructional strategies for the block
Guidance on curriculum alignment, instructional evaluation, and assessment methods
Forms and sample lessons to get programs up and running

For educators designing a new scheduling program or needing support for an existing one, The Block Scheduling Handbook is the ideal resource.

Key features

A comprehensive, step-by-step, ready-to-use handbook with all the models, forms, and templates needed to get programs up and running
Classroom management and student-centered instructional strategies
Insightful discussion of elementary, middle, and high schools on the block, including an in-depth case study of an ideal elementary curriculum
Guidance and how-to's on curriculum alignment and assessment methods

Author(s)

J. Allen Queen

J. Allen Queen is professor and former chair of the Department of Educational Leadership at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. A former classroom teacher, principal, college administrator, and university professor, he works with teachers and principals in the areas of managing priorities, time management, and stress reduction. Queen has written over 30 books and 70 articles, including The Frazzled Teacher’s Wellness Plan (Corwin Press 2004), The Block Scheduling Handbook (Corwin Press 2002), and books on karate and fitness for young readers. He has appeared on radio and television programs, including ABC's World News Now, and has been a consultant to over 160 schools and districts in 36 states and 3 foreign countries in the areas of classroom discipline, school safety, block scheduling, and time management.

Table of Contents

Dedication and Acknowledgments

About the Author

1. The Current Status of Block Scheduling

2. Block Scheduling and the High School

3. Developmental Aspects of Growth and Behavior

Physical Development From Early Childhood

Through Adolescence

Cognitive Growth

Characteristics of Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development

Schemata and the Process of Assimilation, Accomodation, and Equilibration

The Sensori-Motor Period

The Period of Preoperational Thought

The Period of Concrete Operations

The Period of Formal Operations

Cognitive Theory and Block Instruction

Personality Development

Erikson's Stages of Personality Development

Implications of Erikson's Theory for Block Instruction

4. Building the Block Culture in the School

5. Selecting the Best Fit

The 4´4 Block Schedule Model

The A/B Block Schedule Model

The Modified Block

New Lesson Designs for the Block

6. Block Scheduling in the Middle School

The Middle School Defined

Characteristics of the Middle School

Team Teaching Interdisciplinary Teaming

Block Classes or Periods

Advisory Programs

Benefits of the Block Schedule in the Middle School

Shortfalls of the Traditional Schedule

The Flexible/Alternate/Navigate (FAN) Models

Advantages of Modified Schedules in the Middle School

Teaching in the Block in the Middle School

Summary

7. The Elementary School on the Block

Historical Events Impacting the Elementary School

National Initiatives

America 2000

Part 1: For Today's Students, Better, More Accountable Schools

Part 2: For Tomorrow's Students, a New Generation of American Schools

Part 3: For the Rest of Us (Yesterday's Students and Today's Workforce), a Nation of Students

Part 4: Communities Where Learning Can Happen

Goals 2000: Educate America Act

A State Example: The Elementary Curriculum in North Carolina

Technology

English Language Arts

Mathematics

Science

Social Studies

Fine Arts: Dance

Fine Arts: Music

Fine Arts: Theater

Fine Arts: Visual Arts

Organizational Patterns

Disadvantages of Graded Arrangement

Alternative Possibilities for Scheduling

4-Blocks Model for Elementary Education

Parallel Block Scheduling

Summary

8. Aligning Standards and Course Content

Models for Use of Instructional Time

Limiting Content

Notes to Remember

Assigning Outside Content

Integrating Content: C-Clustering

Curriculum Alignment and Instructional Pacing

Curriculum Alignment Phase 1

Curriculum Alignment Phase 2

Instructional Pacing Phase 1

Instructional Pacing Phase 2

9. Sample of Curriculum Alignment and Pacing

10. Effective Instructional Strategies for Block Scheduling

Cooperative Learning

The Case Method

Socratic Seminar

Synectics

Concept Attainment

Inquiry Method

Simulations

Recommendations for Improving Block Scheduling for the Future

11. Teacher-Directed Instruction

Direct Instruction as a Teaching Model

Direct Instruction as a Continuum of Teaching Behaviors

Summary

Our Mr. Jefferson: A Sample Teacher-Directed Lesson

12. Discovery and Inquiry

Discovery Learning

History and Research

Promises and Pitfalls

Summary

The Inquiry Training Model

History and Research

Promises and Pitfalls

Summary

Building the Tower: A Sample Discovery Method Activity

13. Simulations and Role Play

Simulations

Forms for the Simulation Model

Rationale for Appropriate Use

Lesson Design

History and Research

Promises and Pitfalls

Summary

Gifted and Talented Simulation: A Sample Lesson Using Simulation

14. Cooperative Learning

History and Research

Promises and Pitfalls

The Case Method

Summary

Building the Perfect School: A Cooperative Staff Development Activity

15. Synectics

History and Research

Gordon's Stages of Creativity

Promises and Pitfalls

Summary

To Kill a Mockingbird: A Syectics Sample Lesson

16. Socratic Seminar

Group Discussion and Student Participation

What Happened: A Socratic Seminar

17. Instructional Assessment

Methods of Instructional Evaluation

Presassessment

Formative Assessment

Summative Assessment

Assessment of Student Acheivement

Portfolio

Unit Evaluation

Lesson Evaluation

A Positive Classroom Climate Through Instruction

18. Program Evaluation and Student Assessment

Reasons for Evaluation

Defining Program Evaluation

Instructional Evaluation

Summary

Evaluation Resource 1: Block Schedule Teacher Survey

Evaluation Resource 2: Teacher Survey: High School Instruction

19. A Guide to Traditional and Authentic Assessment

Writing and Evaluating Test Items

Parts of a Test Item

Categorizing Items on Cognitive Levels

Evaluating Test Items

Using Authentic Assessment for Student Evaluation

The Trouble With Tests Is...

What Is Authentic Assessment?

Brain Growth, Brain Enrichment, and Attention

Effective Implementation of Authentic Assessment

Multiple Intelligences and Authentic Assessment

Types of Authentic Assessment

References, Recommended Readings

Internet Resources

Index

Reviews

"The research-based principles espoused in this handbook helped transform our upper school into a true college preparatory institution. This complete how-to book provides valuable, concrete ideas for subject area teachers while supporting administrative efforts to maximize opportunities using block scheduling. I highly recommend this book if your school is initiating, adapting, or question the block scheduling approach. This book will reinvigorate your efforts to truly impact student learning."

James Freemyer, Associate Professor
Indiana Wesleyan University

"Should be required reading for every high school administrator and educators in general. By highlighting research-based best practices, the author has put forth cutting-edge strategies that will not only improve student achievement, but also provide teachers with 21st-century skills to differentiate instruction."

Jim R. Watson, Retired Superintendent
Lincoln County Schools, NC

"A wonderful guide for school leaders as they create a contemporary schedule for middle and high school students to take advantage of a variety of curricular offerings. This second edition is comprehensive, with numerous subject-centered examples and detailed specifics for those desiring to move to more advanced designs. It is no wonder why Queen is often referred to as the father of the new block schedule."

Henry Peel, Wachovia Distinguished Professor
East Carolina University

"An excellent step-by-step guide to all the stages of improving instruction on the block schedule at any level. As a guest faculty member at our university in China, Dr. Queen used the text to train numerous doctoral students, school principals, and classroom teachers in this scheduling practice. The new edition is even more advanced, with excellent designs and detailed activities in a variety of subject areas."

Ding Zhenguo, Vice President
China University of Geosciences

"This is the complete, step-by-step guide for administrators and teachers interested in all stages of going to or improving instruction on the block. Building on its predecessor as well as the author’s international and national reputation and experience, this edition includes numerous subject-centered examples and detailed specifics for those interested in moving to more advanced designs. If you have one book on block scheduling in your library, it should be this one."

Bob Algozzine, Director
Behavior and Reading Improvement Center

Other Titles in: Teaching Methods & Learning Styles

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