Is having math for half the year (block scheduling) better or worse than having math for the whole year?

Question

-Block scheduling: 1 1/2 hours of class a day for half the year
-8 period scheduling: having math 45 mins a day for the whole year

Answer 1

If you want to get over math quick and fast and don't care about much else...take the one and a half hour blocks. It will be over in the snap of a finger (or so...)

However, if you actually want to do math seriously, a year is better. You'll have more time to go through your syllabus, digest and you will get more quizzes etc. that will make you stronger. It's better this way if you ask me.

Answer 2

Whole year is better. After that half a year math course, you won't remember anything by next year. With a whole year course, we have a hard enough time remembering what we did back in September so how would you expect to remember what you did during that half year a year later? Plus, to me, I think math keeps my brain from rotting. Math is a hard subject because it's hard to make sense out of it on your own. If you don't get how to do a certain type of problem, it takes practice. A whole year course allows you to "practice" a little bit every day.

Answer 3

1/2 year can be worse...you could have math in the first block, and then not again until the last block of the second year...that's a long time in between to forget the concepts. Math takes constant practice.

Answer 4

I have noticed that the kids I know (my own teenagers and their friends) retain more info when the class is taken for the whole year because all the quizzes and test always include previously covered material.

Answer 5

Personally, I prefer semester blocks, because, lets face it, when in real life are you going to need to find the cosine of x secant? Unless you really want to go into a math field.

Answer 6

whole year is better