Abstract This paper examines block scheduling as applied to elementary school learning of the language arts curriculum. It describes how block scheduling works. The paper uses the perspective of a principal to implement block scheduling to enhance language arts.
From the Paper "According to Irmsher although we live in a world where far more is known about student learning than ever before, most schools do not apply this knowledge to organizational structures as part of their ..."
Abstract This paper examines the concept of block scheduling in education which is the overall strategy of organizing the day into fewer, but longer, class periods to allow flexibility for instructional activities. Block scheduling is used primarily at middle school and high school levels. It looks at how the expressed goal of block scheduling programs is to improve student academic performance and how some other benefits are increased student and teacher morale, encouragement for the use of innovative teaching methods that address multiple learning styles and an improved atmosphere on campus.
Outline
Introduction
Advantages and Disadvantages of Block Scheduling
Comparative Analysis on Block Scheduling and Traditional Scheduling on Academic Achievement
Block Scheduling Reforms Classroom Teaching Techniques
Effects of Block Scheduling on Academic Achievement
Popularity of the Block Schedule
Conclusion
From the Paper "Another concern about block schedules is that it might be a problem for students who transfer. However, this concern is invalid because the implementation of a block schedule allows students to actually take more courses or up to eight classes per year instead of the six or seven in a traditional plan. While absences might be difficult to make up in a block schedule, some schools have implemented one day of Saturday school each month to give students the opportunity to make up work and class time. Since the traditional schedule has students change class several times a day, discipline problems might arise that might not occur with the block schedule because instructional time is not fragmented as frequently with the transition of changing classes."
Abstract In this article, the writer explains that block scheduling is basically a time-based system of classroom management in the current teaching environment, which must be balanced against external factors such as standardized testing and school accountability measures, as well as against factors such as social fragmentation and silencing. The writer examines the block scheduling process in the ways in which it progresses through various steps based on standards that set the bar for student progress and development in schools. The essential steps that are a part of the block scheduling process, from this perspective, are based on the school being either equal to or greater than the national average in producing curricula that are able to meet standards in terms of results. The paper examines this issue generally as well as specifically in terms of certain expectations that are required in the disciplines for students at certain grade levels in high school, which in turn directly affects the classroom management process thorough block scheduling. The writer maintains that the role of the instructional leader is more and more about working with great facility and leadership skills on an effective team, respecting diversity and being able to implement new technologies into the classroom.
Outline:
Introduction
Function and Purpose
Advantages and Disadvantages
Conclusion
From the Paper "There are mixed strengths and weaknesses to block scheduling, just as people learn information in different ways. In terms of advantages, the standards are set in an effective blueprint for action on this type of scheduling, as it is being practiced already in many schools. But this should not be taken to mean that block scheduling and other classroom management methods should be likewise set in stone- different students learn in different ways, and even teaching a class for 45 minutes requires the teacher to reserve a certain degree of adaptability in presenting the material effectively. So one student placed in an 80 minute class may react quite differently than other student who would find it more or less useful than this first student. Students should also be free to apply the material learned in class using effective methods of their own during their own isolated time; effective teaching both sets and follows the standard, and different students learn at different rates according to ability."
Abstract This paper examines the inner feeling of writer's block with reference to Gloria Watkins' writing. It depicts the sensations of writer's block as felt by the writer, and looks at the reasons for it. The paper discusses the use of role playing in healing writer's block.
From the Paper "In an article by Gloria Watkins (using the pseudonym of "bell hooks"), Watkins presented the readers a detailed narrative of what it feels like to have writer's block and the reasons why she keeps on having it whenever she feels the urge to write about somebody or something else, and most especially when she wants to write something about herself, her inner feelings. She gave the readers some possible reasons why this happens, that is, why do writer's block happen during most important times, whenever memory recall of all important events in our lives are needed. "
Abstract This paper explains that Fred Block in his book "Postindustrial Possibilities: A Critique of Economic Discourse" states that today's society has passed the industrial stage and has moved onto a new nameless stage. The author points out that, according to Block, the postindustrial trends are the increasing importance of services and decreased importance in goods, computer-based automation and a less patriarchal society. The paper relates that, in addition to including traditional economists such as Marx, the social economist Karl Paul Polanyi is referenced often in this book. The author underscores that the book includes ideas of Ruth Cowan, who believes that domestic work is not taken into account in the GNP, which makes the output status somewhat inapt. The paper agrees with Block's conclusion that society desires objects of qualitative over quantitative.
From the Paper "The chapter on labor showed that skill has actually increased since the 1970s even though robots and computers have been replacing human labor. People today become extremely knowledgeable on very little - we are all specialized. The capacity to work is a socially produced - it is not instinctive. The argument that economists do not properly analyze contemporary production is based on theoretical, empirical, and alternative views to the efficiency of labor."
Tags: services, computer-based, domestic, qualitative, social
Abstract This paper is a detailed analysis of block scheduling in school curriculum. The essay here provides statistical information and tables illustrating the scheduling structures achieved through block scheduling of curriculum and argues that students may have the opportunity to gain more from their education with this approach.
Abstract This paper examines the reasons for trading blocks in general and the European Union in particular. It considers the membership process in the EU, and evaluates the benefits and costs of Turkey joining the EU. The paper puts forth obstacles that might block Turkey's accession to the EU.
From the Paper "Although international trade is often viewed as a twentieth century phenomenon it has existed for hundreds of years ..."
Tags: trading blocks, european union, euro, Turkey, EU
Abstract The paper looks at the steps required to utilize systems thinking to integrate block scheduling into a given school system. It describes the system model of education and allowing members of the system input.
From the Paper "INTEGRATION OF BLOCK SCHEDULING AND SYSTEMS THINKING
Introduction
This paper examines the use of the systems model (sometimes referred to as "systems thinking") as it relates to the integration of block scheduling into an existing school system. The ..."
Abstract This paper examines all aspects of the curriculum-building method of block scheduling. It is written in the first person and provides the writer's personal opinion in the matter. It is addressed to teachers and educators. It concludes that the essential part of education is not what type of scheduling takes place, but rather the quality of the content of the lesson.
From the Paper "The bottom line about any type of scheduling is that it all depends on what is done within the time allotted. All educators have preferences and no one schedule will fit every teacher's philosophy. Likewise, every learner has his or hers preference. The problem is that a school as a whole has to comply with the final schedule decided by the principal. Some schools implement partial block scheduling (lab days) during a couple of days of the week. Maybe these types of hybrid schedules will eventually make there way into the education realm acknowledging the diversity in scheduling. Until then the debate as to which schedule is more effective will continue."
Abstract The paper states that after World War ll the two Allied powers that had won the war, the United States and the Soviets, were in disagreement as to how Europe should be reconfigured. The two sides distrusted one another and as a result, the Soviets took control of much of the Eastern half of Europe, while the Americans took possession of much of the Western half. The paper discusses the effects, results and outcome of this "cold war."
From the Paper "Warsaw Pact forces were also employed in the year 1968 as the bitter conclusion to the Prague Spring, a period of increasing liberalization and reform under Alexander Dub ek's government in Czechoslovakia. The Czechoslovaks had been growing increasingly bold, even announcing on television that they disagreed with the Warsaw Pact, asserting their willingness to defend their country's sovereignty, should the Soviets attempt a similar invasion as the one that put a bloody end to the Hungarian Revolution twelve years prior. Unfortunately, the Czechoslovaks were not in fact able to defend their sovereignty; the Soviets, including Russian, Polish, Hungarian, and Bulgarian forces, invaded the country on August, 20, 1968. The invasion was justified by the Brezhnev Doctrine: "When forces that are hostile to socialism try to turn the development of some socialist country towards capitalism, it becomes not only a problem of the country concerned, but a common problem and concern of all socialist countries." But it was only the Soviet Union who would have the right define what "capitalism" and "socialism" were to mean - any version of socialism that varied in the least bit from the Soviet model, so the invasion's message rang clear, could expect to suffer the wrath of all aligned countries."
Tags: cold, war, eastern, block, soviet, eastern, europe
Abstract This paper explains that Tchaikovsky's "Symphony Five" and "Symphony Six" ("Pathetique Symphony") are mature compositions, showing the full flowering of the composer's romanticism and his musical ability. The author presents, for both symphonies, the background, organization, stylistic developments, orchestration and themes and progressions of each movement. The paper relates that the plan for the most of Tchaikovsky's symphonies begins with a pessimistic first movement, a second that is sad and peaceful, a third with an allegro movement in dance form and a fourth that is vigorous. The author points out that the "Sixth Symphony" does not follow this pattern in that the last movement is slow and mournful, giving rise to the idea of it being prophetic because of the death of the composer soon after it was premiered.
From the Paper "Garden states that the Fifth Symphony is more operatic even than the Fourth Symphony, using highly colored orchestration and a vivid presentation of ideas as did the Fourth, but also using operatic crescendos and more frequent alterations in tempo. This is particularly true in the slow movement, which makes use at the outset of the operatic aria in the Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza, and with the licenza marked in the score. Garden also cites the way Tchaikovsky seeks contrasts with contrasting blocks of similar instruments."
Tags: personal nationalistic, blocktransposition, fate orchestration
Abstract This paper explains that the purpose of this study was to examine some of the characteristics of typicality, with regard to proto-typically versus non-proto-typically, category blocking, and interaction between typicality and category blocking. The authors tested three hypotheses: (1) Prototypical word lists will be recalled better than non-prototypical word lists. (2) Category blocking will demonstrate better recall rates than random retrieval. (3) Some interaction will exist between typicality and category blocking. The paper reports that there were ninety-one subjects participating in this survey, divided roughly evenly between males and females. The author concludes that the main effects of the hypotheses all proved to be significant, while the interaction was not significant.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Discussion
From the Paper "Typicality is a simpler concept to understand than it might at first seem. Loken and Ward (1990) define typicality as the degree to which an object is representative of a given category. This basic and fundamental relationship exists between typicality and categories. For instance, a newborn canary might be considered less typical of the canary category than his fellow nestling if said canary sports blue feathers instead of yellow. This example is that of an atypical individual, one that does not easily fit into our preconceived notions of what constitutes a typical member of a group."
Abstract This paper takes a balanced position with regards to the impact of regionalism on the international economic order (IEO). Regionalism can undermine and enhance the IEO. The paper first defines the terms regionalism and the international economic order. Second, the paper outlines key arguments that address the "building block vs. stumbling block" question on regionalism. Third, the paper turns to the empirical evidence to weigh the two sides of the argument. The final section provides concluding remarks.
From the Paper "The paper borrows the definition of regionalism from Winters (1997) as "loosely any policy designed to reduce trade barriers between a subset of countries regardless of whether those countries are actually contiguous or even close to each other." Furthermore, paper includes in the scope and coverage of regional trade agreements (RTA), both symmetric and asymmetric, free trade areas (FTA) and custom unions (CU). Regionalism and RTAs will be used interchangeably, while accounting for the considerable difference in scope, configuration, and timing of RTAs. The international economic order entails a multilateral arrangement to achieve trade liberalization and stable financial markets. One purpose of the order is to proximate free trade among all nations. Therefore an enhancement is further global liberalization, underlined by a most favored nation (MFN) principle. The means to this end are rule-based multilateral organizations such as the World Trade Organization. It emerges clearly from the definitions that precisely because RTAs are both a subset of liberalization and an exception to the MFN principle, regionalism can both enhance and undermine the IEO. How these elements play out is what will be explored below."
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes water restrictions in Lubbock Texas. Specifically, discusses local water restrictions and the block billing system that the city council designed. The paper criticizes Lubbock's introduction of block billing and raising water rates as a tool for water conservation. The paper explains that the billing is based on faulty calculations and will result in home and business owners paying more than their fair share of water costs. The paper suggests that to really gain the support of residents, the City Council should reconsider block billing and the time period used to set the rates, as it is faulty, unfair and results in water mismanagement rather than conservation.
From the Paper "Block billing is a system of averaging water (or other utility) usage, establishing guidelines, and billing according to an average of water consumption for residential and commercial enterprises. In Lubbock, block billing for water was proposed and adopted in 2006, and went into affect in April 2007. The block billing structure was built on an average from September 2006 through February 2007, but this is a time when consumption is lower than in the warmer summer months. Thus, consumers will be penalized for using normal amounts of water in the summer, because the average is faulty and does not take into consideration the warmer summer weather in Texas. Using a time that water consumption is lower may seem to be a way to ensure consumers conserve more water, but that has already been proved wrong, as the system was only in effect a little over two months when residents were placed on emergency water restrictions."
From the Paper "Glass blocks are non-loadbearing masonry units which are made by molding two sections of glass and bonding them together. The interior of the block is hermetically sealed in order to prevent condensation. Most such blocks allow light to pass through, but they are often designed to distort the view to ensure privacy. Some blocks, however, are relatively transparent, and special blocks have been designed to direct light upward or downward for certain building requirements. Bulletproof blocks have also been developed.
The recommended sizes for glass blocks, always square, are 6 inches, 8 inches, and 12 inches, each with a recommended 1/4-inch mortar joint. Round-ended blocks are also available to cap the sides or tops of block walls. Other sizes and shapes are also available. The mortar-bearing surfaces of the glass blocks have ... "
