Planning for Block Scheduling (Ch.9)

Abstract
This chapter consists mostly of information about the benefits of block scheduling. By using block scheduling teachers can plan with longer periods of time and have more room for proper assessments. With more time, there is space for varying activities, which are proven to cause higher scores on sorts of vocabulary and translation tests. The author alludes to the idea that some students that are usually average can benefit largely from the extra time that is provided with block scheduling. For teachers, the author explains that the reasoning becomes "I can maintain the learning momentum and integrate more than one objective into my lessons." This can be incredibly beneficial, possibly even moving the students forward quicker with learning that is considered more in depth in all dimensions. This chapter also calls attention to the importance of the variety of assessment types. Formative assessment and summative assessment are both demonstrated with a few ideas and examples throughout the chapter. In block scheduling, it is easier to incorporate both. The author also provides some thorough lesson planning examples that use the time of block scheduling effectively.

Reflection
This chapter was helpful in providing examples and ideas as well as basic information of the benefits of block scheduling and what it can bring to the classroom and the students. I especially thought the section on Planning Sequence for Extended-Period Classes was useful for future reference and for the basic scheduling. The ideas on it were basic but intricate at the same time and I found it to be a nice outline that was informative. Overall, the ideas of block scheduling are generally familiar to me, we always had this type of scheduling in my schools through middle and high school. Even though I am familiar with the practice of it and the techniques, it was still nice to read some solid information on why students benefit from it and how it can be used in the most successful and effective ways.