When I arrived at Viewpoint 18 years ago, we had 3 minute passing times!=
That was a bit too short. We use 5 minutes now, and that works well. =
We have art classes a long ways from the Upper School, and kids are a min=
ute or two late, and we accept that. We don't accept 5 minutes late! We=
don't have bells, either. We also ran on the old "factory" schedule of=
8, 45 minute periods per day. Now we run on a rotating 6-day plan, and=
each class gets one double (90) minute period and 3 either 45 or 50 minut=
e periods spread over the 6 days. It works for us, but when I retire this=
summer, I'm sure someone will take aim at it. But I don't think the facu=
lty will want to give up either rotation or double blocks! =20
No matter how many passing minutes you give, changing classes takes more=
than 5 minutes -- or 10. There are a couple minutes lost at the end of=
the 1st class, and a couple of "settling down" minutes at the beginning=
of the next class. Go with the 5 minute passing and carve off 20 minutes=
in the morning -- or add that 20 minutes to classes and make them 50 minu=
tes! =20
All best,=20
Margaret Bowles
Assoc. Head for Academic Affairs
Viewpoint School, Clabases, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: Ruth Duell <ruth_duell@LOOMIS.ORG>
To: ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Sent: Mon, Apr 5, 2010 4:28 pm
Subject: Schedule design question
We are in the process of considering a variety of possible schedule change=
s.
ne variable under consideration is the amount of "passing time" between ou=
r
eriods. We have had a 10-minute gap for many years. It has been said by
eteran schedulers at conferences I have attended that the issue is much
ore malleable than most believe. Communities are reported to adjust to any
assing time offered without much fanfare...We have a large campus with
lasses held in all areas of the school. Does anyone have experience that
onfirms or defies the information I have heard? Is there a source I can
uote to the school on this issue? We are about to embark two weeks hence,
n a week-long "pilot" change in the schedule to reduce the time to 5
inutes between 45 minute classes. It will allow us to start school 20
inutes later, a change that is widely reported as beneficial to the
dolescent learning style. I'll let you all know how it resolves, but any
elp with your experiences will be much appreciated in the meanwhile.
Thanks,
Ruth Duell
irector of Studies
oomis Chaffee School
indsor, CT
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