Dianna---- Block Scheduling??

[MamaSweetie2]

Hi DIanna,

In a previous post you mentioned that your son did block scheduling
"He preferred to do block schedule as much as possible."

Can you elaborate on this type of scheduling for High School. I don't know what it is.

Thanks!
MamaSweetie

[Dianna]

Hi DIanna,

In a previous post you mentioned that your son did block scheduling
"He preferred to do block schedule as much as possible."

Can you elaborate on this type of scheduling for High School. I don't know what it is.

Thanks!
MamaSweetie

Traditional scheduling is what I had in high school. We had 6 subjects and went to class for those subjects every day during the school year (for the most part). Some subjects, like Government, was a semester subject, so we only had it for half a year, and the we studied Economics the next semester.

Many high schools have gone to block scheduling now. This is where students take 3 or 4 courses each semester, finish them, then take 3 or 4 more courses the next semester. This allows them to focus on a few subjects at a time instead of more subjects all year long.

We found that a combination of traditional and block scheduling worked best for us. Block schedules work great for content-based subjects such as history and science. In content subjects, students learn material that doesn't build on previous skills (it doesn't matter what order you present the material, they can still learn it without previous knowledge). My son could study US History and Biology in several months, learn the material, then move on to other subjects.

However, traditional (year-long) schedules work best for skill-based subjects such as mathematics and foreign language. In skill subjects, material is best learned a little each day, with one skill building on a previous skill. If a student learns Algebra I for three months one year, then waits until next year to study Algebra II, he's going to forget everything he learned in Algebra I. It's best to pace these types of subjects throughout the year instead of in blocks.

I hope this makes sense. Let me know if you have any questions.

Warmly,
Dianna

[MamaSweetie2]

Thanks!

Just to recap.....For example: A child can complete a US History course in 5 months, receives a full high school credit; then can complete General Science the following 5 months and receive a full high school credit. Correct???

Would one keep track of the hours for Carnegie Units, or just assign the credit for completion of the course or text?

Thanks so much!

[Dianna]

Thanks!

Just to recap.....For example: A child can complete a US History course in 5 months, receives a full high school credit; then can complete General Science the following 5 months and receive a full high school credit. Correct???

Would one keep track of the hours for Carnegie Units, or just assign the credit for completion of the course or text?

Thanks so much!

Yes, your student could spend several months on a subject, complete it, then move on to another one. As long as she covers as much material as would be expected during a traditional 180-day school year, then she has earned 1 credit. To find out more about how to assign credits, read this thread: http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124

Let me know if you have more questions. :smile2:

Warmly,
Dianna

[SChomemomof3]

That sounds like a neat way of schooling. I may try that. I have heard of people doing one subject one day and another day do another subject. Only one subject per day.