Posted: Monday, January 21, 2013 3:57 pm
Posted on January 21, 2013
The Morrisville School District administration is rethinking the educational setup in third to sixth grades.
Currently, all but third grade are departmentalized, meaning classrooms are grouped by each subject and lesson is taught for an hour each day. The administration is proposing a change to self-contained classrooms instead, which involves one teacher covering all subjects for a single classroom.
The administration is considering such a switch to take effect in the 2013-14 school year.
Both setups have pros and cons, Todd DuPell, administrator interim, told the school board recently.
DuPell, who is leading the research for Morrisville schools, said the district’s classes aren’t big enough to continue departmentalizing. And because the district is small, it could utilize the teachers better with self-containing classrooms, he said.
With such setup, there’s an opportunity for looping, which involves a teacher remaining with a group of students for more than one school year.
The district is considering looping third and fourth grades, as well as fifth and sixth grades, he said.
In his research, DuPell found that with looping, teachers get to know their students and better identify their strengths and weaknesses. And the kids build a relationship with their teachers, making it less stressful on some students. Research indicates looping helps boost test scores as well, DuPell added.
In addition, looping allows educators to assign projects during summer break to keep students engaged and making it easier to transition into the fall semester, DuPell said.
But there are cons, too.
Students wouldn’t be exposed to different styles of teaching, and some students could face difficulties detaching from teachers after two years. There's also the possibility of a student and teacher clashing, making it uncomfortable for the pair to be together for two years.
Departmentalizing has its pros and cons as well.
Some cons: the need for heavy planning and communication between teachers -- a daily briefing would be almost necessary; and difficulty for some students to keep up with lessons.
The pros: because individual subjects are taught for an hour, students could have a better understanding of each subject; teachers and students are exposed to more diversity, not just one group; and teachers have to grade only one or two subjects.
Currently, all but third grade are departmentalized, meaning classrooms are grouped by each subject and lesson is taught for an hour each day. The administration is proposing a change to self-contained classrooms instead, which involves one teacher covering all subjects for a single classroom.
Both setups have pros and cons, Todd DuPell, administrator interim, told the school board recently.
DuPell, who is leading the research for Morrisville schools, said the district’s classes aren’t big enough to continue departmentalizing. And because the district is small, it could utilize the teachers better with self-containing classrooms, he said.
With such setup, there’s an opportunity for looping, which involves a teacher remaining with a group of students for more than one school year.
The district is considering looping third and fourth grades, as well as fifth and sixth grades, he said.
In his research, DuPell found that with looping, teachers get to know their students and better identify their strengths and weaknesses. And the kids build a relationship with their teachers, making it less stressful on some students. Research indicates looping helps boost test scores as well, DuPell added.
In addition, looping allows educators to assign projects during summer break to keep students engaged and making it easier to transition into the fall semester, DuPell said.
But there are cons, too.
Students wouldn’t be exposed to different styles of teaching, and some students could face difficulties detaching from teachers after two years. There's also the possibility of a student and teacher clashing, making it uncomfortable for the pair to be together for two years.
Departmentalizing has its pros and cons as well.
Some cons: the need for heavy planning and communication between teachers -- a daily briefing would be almost necessary; and difficulty for some students to keep up with lessons.
The pros: because individual subjects are taught for an hour, students could have a better understanding of each subject; teachers and students are exposed to more diversity, not just one group; and teachers have to grade only one or two subjects.
19 comments:
Will this be voted on tomorrow nite?
Or, you could keep the students in the same classroom, and move around the teachers.
I remember when I was a little girl we all went to school in a one room schoolhouse it was good enough for me then it should be good enough now. Yes it was a 12 mile walk uphill both ways but we liked it.
why dont you go to an education committee meeting and help plan it all out
Right!!! Like anyone listens to anyone else around here? Don't you know that the favorite sports/activities in the ville are second guessing, armchair quarterbacking and 20/20 hindsight?
It's much more interesting to sit on the sidelines and criticize everyone else, than it is to actually get involved!!!!
OK, sarcasm aside, In all seriousness, why do you suppose people don't get more involved in these matters?
discuss....
First there was
A New Hope
Morrisville Looks for New Classroom Setup.
Sounds better than...
Morrisville Looks for More Ways to Cut Things
Face it. Morrisville screwed itself by choosing Hellman Mihok Radosti Worobs Stout and all the rest of the we dont care as long as taxes are cut crowd.
"Anonymous said...
First there was
A New Hope"
Followed by The Empire Strikes Back!
(Do you think SOC will be running a slate next election?)
"Anonymous Anonymous said...
Morrisville Looks for New Classroom Setup.
Sounds better than...
Morrisville Looks for More Ways to Cut Things"
There has got to be some hidden savings if the Admin is recommending it.
I'm sure they will try to because it looks like taxes will have to go up no matter what
look for the Jedi
even in dark times there is good the light has shined on what the empire has done it is time to make thing right in the force
If SOC does run, they won't be the droids Morrisville should be looking for.
SOC : the Farce is Always With Them
Doo Doo rolls down hill, correct? That's how the saying goes I believe.
Well, SOC is gone. But their Money Manager and hand picked Leader are still making all the decisions.
Until that changes, nothing else will.
There's just gotta be another Star Wars quote to get us through this.
"There's just gotta be another Star Wars quote to get us through this."
To be Jedi is to face the truth, and choose. Give off light, or darkness, Padawan. Be a candle, or the night.
What's about to happen to this district, if allowed, isn't funny.
Funny it is not but crazy you will be if you do not take the time to laugh at how dumb those who caused this path are. Education is much like the Force its is about blance
..and correct grammar and spelling!!
MEA hack
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