Building the learning blocks
By Tawna Rathe

  New schedules were handed out to Somerville students in grades one through eight as part of an innovative learning plan.
  School officials say block scheduling will help educators and school officials keep better track of what kids are learning.
   As of this week, 100 percent of first through eighth grade classrooms are now using block scheduling. 
   “The goal is to be more accountable to our kids,” Said Somerville Public Schools Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Bob Snow.

   Block scheduling, more typically found in high schools, provides a consistent, uniform plan across the entire district, said Snow.  He said the young students will spend 75-90 minutes each day in English Language Arts, 75-90 minutes in math, 45-60 minutes a day in social studies and 45-60 minutes in science.  The specific amount of time is at the discretion of teachers and principals. 
Before block scheduling was fully implemented, Snow said school official were not aware of how much classroom time was dedicated to specific subjects.
   “We know some of the subjects weren’t being taught everyday.”  Said Snow based on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System scores for the district.
    By requiring a certain amount of classroom time for math, science, English language arts and social studies, teachers will have more flexibility in their lesson plans, and students will be able to focus on the four core subjects everyday throughout the school year, he said.
East Somerville Community School Principal Holly Hatch said the transition into block scheduling has been smooth at her school.
   “It helps teachers know they have adequate time to delve into a subject,” she said. “The challenge is figuring out how we can integrate the subjects to maximize a limited school day and increase time for one subject without harming another," she said. 
    Hatch said one way to make the most of students’ time is to merge subjects and skills during lesson activities.  For example, ask the students to keep a math journal, write an essay on a science topic or go over current events during homeroom, she said.   
    Hatch said block scheduling does not take time away from library, music, art and physical education.  Students will continue to take 40-minute classes in these areas throughout the week,
    “It’s great to see all the schools in a block scheduling system because it provides equity in each school and it provides the same quality education across the board,” said School Committee member Megan Foster.
     Snow said bringing block scheduling to the lower grades has been four years in the making and putting it permanently in place is overdue.
     The School Committee plans to review each school’s final block schedule plan Nov. 2.