I have heard many different opinions from teachers on the usefulness of the 5th block, which is 45 minutes. Most teachers say it is a complete waste of time, and students use it as a study (napping) block. However, administrators tout it as valuable remediation for students who have not passed certain portions of the AHSGE. I have asked students opinion on the matter, and most say they either do nothing, or they catch up on their homework. Please share your experiences with 5th block, and whether or not this is a good use of valuable school time.
I have never heard of the “5th block” and last I heard, students who failed a portion of the AHSGE had to take a course which was included in the 4 block classes (for example, they took a remediation class instead of an elective like P.E. or band). I think 5th block sounds like a big waste of time, especially if students aren’t using it to their benefit by being remediated on what they failed of the AHSGE. However, it’s also a waste of time for students who have passed it all and they are just cooling their heels till 3. It seems to me that maybe the administration is taking away from the students who passed it to work with the students who did not and that is not fair for the students who did pass it.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, 5th block is what most teachers and students make of it. However, because I teach seniors, I am one of the two teachers in charge of Senior Project. Therefore, my 5th block class is a Senior Project Seminar, which contains 105 seniors AT ONE TIME. Although there are five teachers assigned to this 5th block assignment, the students are split into two groups (one group in the lecture room and another group in the library), so teaching a class of 50+ students at one time is not always a piece of cake. The two groups rotate each day, so we basically run an A/B day schedule, which can be confusing at times. Because of the strict structure and discipline procedures that we all instill, we do not encounter discipline problems; however, we spend about 20 minutes taking attendance and introducing the material/lesson for the day. Thankfully, because the class ties in with Senior Project, the group utilizing the library media center can work on research, interview questions, PowerPoint presentations, community service journals, etc. The group in the lecture room, however, engages in additional lessons like novel studies and public speaking practice. The idea of 5th block sounds great, and in some ways I think my students really benefit from it, but so many interruptions make it seem more like a burden on many occasions. For example, any time there is a program, assembly, or testing dates (like the AHSGE), 5th block is taken out of the daily schedule. Therefore, the teachers who actually organized a curriculum and teach units during 5th block are truly at a loss, and so are the students. Plus, many teachers do not take it seriously and do use it as merely a study/sleep hall. Overall, it seems to be wasting the time of the majority of those involved.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of the 5th block and I have not have any experience with the 5th block either. As for the AHSGE.....that think really isn't something that remedial classes will help with. Passing the AHSGE is a pretty simple feat to accomplish and needs to be revamped to make it harder for students. This would force some schools in our state to restructure the way that they teach and would make the overall level of education increase. I don't think an extra 45 minutes of anything really helps students.
ReplyDeleteI am not familiar with anything about the high school schedules. I had the 4 block system in my high school, but I never remember having any sort of remediation if you didn't pass certain portions. Not only does it sounds like its wasting time, but the students who passed all of the parts are not gaining anything more by sitting there an extra 45 minutes.
ReplyDeleteI think a 5th block is essentially intervention, but it does not seem to be implemented that way. When I did an internship last fall, I asked students how they felt about intervention and many of them said they watch movies. Sometimes they do some AHSGE practice but most have already passed the section they needed to take. I think in order for it to be effective it needs to target the students that have the most need. I believe it should target those students who are moving into Tier 2, in which they need some more help. If the idea is to try to benefit everybody then have the students do something that suits them. I feel the 5th block is good in theory when it focuses on students that need help in passing the grad exam but the way it is being implemented they are sort of lost in the crowd.
ReplyDeleteAs an elementary teacher, I have no personal experience with 5th block. If it is what I assume it is, a 45 minute period made available to students to prepare for the AHSGE, then I would say its value is directly proportional to how well organized and designed the time is. If the period is left open and the students decide how to use it, then I suspect it is a waste of time for the vast majority of students. Students can't and shouldn't be expected to self-remediate.
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