4 X 7 = New Schedule For FMSHS Students

Among other changes that always come with a new school year, Frostproof Middle Senior High School students are adjusting to a whole new daily and weekly regimen called the 4-by-7 Alternating Block Schedule.

Until this year, FMSHS has been on a regular seven-period day, with each period lasting 48 minutes. Now, middle and high school students are alternating "odd" and "even" classes every other day for a 95-minute block. That means on Mondays and Wednesdays students go to their first, third and seventh-period classes for 95 minutes each.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, students attend their second, fourth and sixth-period classes. Students meet with their fifth- period teachers everyday for a 48- minute class and then divide the rest of the period between lunch and SSR (Sustained Silent Reading) time. On Fridays, all classes meet for a return to the familiar seven-period day.

The new schedule has generated a lot of conversation on both sides of the spectrum, so we asked a random sampling of students, teachers, and administrators this question:

"Do you think the new 4-by-7 schedule is a positive or negative change for Frostproof?"

Stephen White, principal: "We are using this schedule this year for several reasons: We have several classes that are vocational like ag, sewing, and art. The new schedule allows a longer period of time for students to be on task. It allows teachers the option of using different teaching techniques like cooperative learning group work, lecture, and project time. It also cuts down on discipline issues. Students are only in the hallways now four times a day instead of seven times a day. Students will be in school learning instead of home suspended. Seniors need to get used to this schedule. It's preparing them for longer college classes."

Gurney Masters, American history: "I like it because it gives me more time to explain and give the work that the students will be assigned. With a 45-minute schedule my students would just begin working then have to stop for the new class period. The only negative thing about this schedule is having fifth period everyday because that class doesn't flow like all the rest of classes especially when it's combined with SSR, but so far most of the kids seem to like it."

Evan Marsh, band director, "I don't like the 4-by-7 schedule because in music it is important to meet everyday. With this new schedule it's like cramming for a final exam. In music if you do a little everyday you will retain more."

Carmen Hood, World History: "I would say this is a positive change because it gives students the opportunity to dive deeper into their subjects."

Debby Webber, senior English: "I think it is positive. The upper-level students are experiencing a schedule similar to college. They will learn to use good time management skills on a schedule like this."

Linda Thompson 6th grade English: "The new 4-by-7 schedule is provingbeneficial at helping our 6th graders transition from an elementary to a middle school setting. Less movement is helping students with organization and is reducing opportunities for misbehavior. The extended class period is giving me time to cover the multiple areas in Language Arts more thoroughly and do more reinforcing and application activities."

Deanna Jarozeski, 8th grade Social Studies: "The new block schedule is great for doing History Alive and activities that require the students to participate in hands-on learning. They have time to discuss topics in groups, plan a course of action and complete the follow up assignments and post-assignment cleanup. The students are going home with less homework because they are able to complete their work in the classroom. Even the teachers have more time to do paper work during planning periods.

Courtney Everson, senior: "I like the new schedule because we have more time to accomplish class work so we won't have to do it at home. Just think, if you are involved in any after-school activities you get home late and rush around trying to get everything done. Now, you can start your homework in class, so home can be more about family time and studying. It also gives me more one-on-one time with the teacher to help my understanding.

Jessi Tate, junior: I don't like it so much because it's confusing. When you miss school, it's like missing two days instead of one. Also, when the students return from holidays or teacher work days, we aren't sure where to go for that day. They have to announce where we will be going next instead of the students being independent and responsible for their school work and daily schedule."

Kevin Wilson, freshman: "Man, I hate it, it's confusing. I'm running up and down the stairs all day, and I don't even know where to go right now."

Sam Motis, freshman: "I think it is a negative concept because I don't think that teachers are trained to teach us for 90- minute periods."

Christina Miller, sophomore: "I think it's helpful to have an extended amount of time. Students can go deeper into their class discussions and learning experiences instead of a quick overview due to the restrained time frame."

Kaleigh Floyd, sixth grader: "I don't like it because the class period time is so long. It's hard to concentrate for that long and sometimes I get sidetracked. I do like only having four classes a day, though, instead of seven. That makes it seem like a quicker school day and there seems to be less homework."

Zach Hortert, seventh grader: "I think it's negative because I'll go to one class one day and learn all these things, but then I don't go to that same class the next day so I forget everything by the time I do get back to it two days later. "