Reply to Block Schedules

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]When people criticize music education and block scheduling, and have data to back it up, they are generally looking at a 4x4 schedule.  4 classes per semester times 2 semesters a year, and not an A day/ B day schedule. So, kids either need to sign up for a double block-- one each semester, or only play one semester a year. That is a problem.  But not a problem with the A/B or A/B/ Anxhor day scheduling in FCPS.

Of course, if your kid wants to make significant progress in their instrument, they do have to practice outside of class. And nothing about a block schedule keeps my kids from practicing a half hour a night, 5-6 days a week. And they would certainly have to practice a lot more if they were serious musicians. Like almost anything, a big piece of succeeding at something is putting in the practice time of class and formal lessons.  [/quote]

This isn't just about kids practicing their instruments. It's about bands/orchestras/choirs practicing together.[/quote]

Which they have more time to do each week, plus the ability to play through an entire program, under a block schedule. [/quote]

Problem with your line of argument is music teachers generally abhor block scheduling. [/quote]

Not true; in the FCPS schools that went to block scheduling (MS and HS) a number of years ago, music teachers (and science) were the strongest advocates of implementing block scheduling.  [/quote]

At our school, the band/orchestra/chorus teachers were big advocates [u]until[/u] they got the block schedule.  Now they really don't like it at all.  Someone in a prior post said that there is 'more time' and that isn't true: the actual amount of time in class work out to be very close to a the time allotment in a traditional schedule over a two week period.  Anyway, our music teachers really don't like the block schedule now that they have it for many of the reasons listed by other posters.[/quote]

Which school are you in? Now they don't like it for many of the reasons, listed by previous posters? The reason most music teachers like the block schedule before and after they see the schedule, is it allows for longer playing time per class.  Trying to play pieces in a 45 minute class, when you lose at least 5 at the start and end (10 minutes total) is quite frustrating. I honestly question your post; I think there is a small but vocal group opposed to block scheduling.  Until now I have honestly never heard music teachers being opposed to block scheduling.  The only subject objecting to it, from many schools, were math teachers, and even they got on board once they got used to the class length.  [/quote]

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