Bloomington High School South, The Gothic, 1996, Page 2

Description:	Chaos Begins!Story continued from coverproject, said project manager Cliff Huggins.Although changes in the building may improvethe learning environment, an examination of the waysteaching takes place can effect positive change for thefuture. The way we provide instruction today, six hoursa day, five days a week, is not necessarily the best wayto enhance learning, said Susan McGlasson, economicsteacher. Why should we continue to do things the sameway we have always done them? she added.We will look at various curriculum organizationalstructures and find one that best suits our needs atSouth, said Riggle. This is a faculty decision andthorough study will take place before a decision isreached, he said.This year saw initial efforts at examining curriculumdelivery alternatives during the second six weeks whenSouth implemented an experimental block schedule.Riggle said the block schedule allowed students tobecome more active participants during class and gaveteachers the opportunity to try newthings in theirteachingstyles.Another alternative was offered through theaddition of a zero hour and a seventh hour classperiods. Required classes such as US History,government, economics, and physical education wereoffered at 7:00 to 7:55 a.m., zero hour, and 2:35 to 3:30p.m., seventh hour. Students who want to do morethings can take extra classes and increase theiropportunities to explore new things at South, saidCounselor Roger Perry.Over the past few years South has seen anincrease in the number of students maintaining a 4.0grade point average (GPA). In an attempt to reduce thenumber of class valedictorians, a system of weightedGPAs was added this year. It will become effective withthe graduating class of 1997 (this years juniors). Theschool wants to recognize one valedictorian, Perrysaid. The new system requires the valedictorian tomaintain a 4.0 GPA and have the most honor points, bytaking honor level classes. A salutatorian, studentranking second, will also be recognized.All these factors threw South into the mouth ofchaos. After the turmoil of the year we realize this is onlythe beginning of all the chaos to come from the changingfacility and curriculum structure.Block scheduling alternativeStory continued from coverseventh hours will still attend those classes five days aweek for the regular 55-minute period.Riggle explained that the schedule will allowstudents to become more active participants duringclass and give teachers the opportunity to try new thingsin theirteaching styles. However, the schedule changeis only temporary. Riggle said he would like to receivefeedback from the faculty and students before anypermanent schedule changes are made.Many students will be missing parts of theirblocked classes to attend Indiana University courses.Junior Teddy Johnston said, Having class fortwo hours, you face the problem of being bored. Mathteacher Sharon Goh stated, I think block scheduling willbe very helpful in certain subject areas, such as thosewhich require projects and lab work .. .Spanish teacher Jo Cease said the schedule isgoing to make it (teaching) difficult, because her classeswill be at different places and will require multipleA2 / Openingpreparations.The block schedule is the first experimentalschedule South has tried in a long time, and Riggle saidmore changes could follow.Chemistry teacher Bill Lumbley said, I am all forinvestigating other scheduling opportunities. I thinkblock scheduling is an option. It may be the right one forSouth; it may not be. Well have to find out.Editors Note: Specialthanks go out to The Herald-Times and Bob Zaltzburg,to The Optimist staff;especially Catherine Bosinand Alycia Edgeworth, anda very special thanks toShanay Sotomayor forpainting amazing picures,more than once, and puttingup with our crazy deadlinesand pressures.
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomsouth/id/4972
Collection:	Bloomington High School South

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