As Monday rolls around we find ourselves with new classes and many new students. This trimester system has it's advantages and disadvantages. What I really do not like is the fact that most students end up moving to a different math teacher for each trimester. After 12 weeks I feel I am just getting to know all of my students and make valuable connections with them. Several students that I have been working with because they were struggling are now moving to the teacher next door and that whole process will probably need to be repeated.
As our district faces more budget cuts and teachers worry about their jobs the discussion of alternative scheduling has been taken on by the school board. They had a listening session this past week to offer information on the 4 day work week. Is this a viable option? It appears to work for numerous districts across the country but more information is needed.
Another discussion has to do with our high school 7 period day and trimester system. In the 7 period system we now teach (or have an assigned duty) for 6 of the 7 periods. Is there a system better than our current one? What about schedules where we do not have the same classes every day?
If anyone has ideas please pass them along.
