New Learning Plan Next Fall

The block schedule next year will replace the regular schedule of HUHS, and regardless if surrounding schools or neighboring towns have already made the switch successfully, this change will throw a little bit of a wrench into every student’s and staff's plans.

Some schools surrounding the Hartford area, like Central Middle School and Oconomowoc High School, have already switched to an A/B schedule, where students follow an every other day pattern, or a standard block schedule, where students switch classes every day.

Superintendent Jeff Walters said that Hartford’s case is unique.

“Our schedule will be a combination of the two, where some courses will run every day, some will run every other day, and others will be offered for students to take every day or every other day,” Walters said.

Despite this change being quite drastic, people are still excited for it. Sophomore Kasey Yu is happy to have more opportunities for a class like Freshman Cohort, a combination of English, World Cultures, Heath, and Biology that works in a three period block schedule.

“I think that block scheduling is a good thing. Taking cohort as a freshman was so much fun and I really enjoyed having that extra time to work,” Yu said.

Teachers are also looking forward to the new opportunities switching to a block schedule opens up. Biology and Biomedical Science instructor Mark Arnholt is always looking for new ways to get the students involved.

“I think that having students transition between different instructional methods will be great. I’m really excited about the opportunity as a science teacher,” Arnholt said.

Students already have problems staying focused in just the 45 minute periods, but Yu is not overly concerned. Lengthening the period just means extra time to get things done.

“If you split it so you had instruction, but also had time to work on a project or an assessment, that would be good. I’m so busy, I have something after school everyday. Having extra time to work in class would be helpful,” Yu said.

The new training the staff will receive partly focuses on active learning strategies to keep the students engaged, making sure the lessons are split up and easy to follow.

“Activities should be adjusted every 15-20 minutes, which will include breaking the blocks into 3-5 shifts of instructional practice,” Walters said.

Arnholt is already planning different ways to engage his students.

“Lecture, discussion, activity, video, lab... Mix the media! I can’t expect one method to work for a 90 minute class period,” Arnholt said. “The secrets will be to find a way to keep the students engaged in the content, and to change delivery methods multiple times during a single class period.”

Specifically in his biomedical classes, Arnholt is ecstatic to get more time.

“It’s going to be awesome! No more ‘pre lab, lab day one, lab day two, post lab discussion.’ I will have the opportunity to have them all fit into one class period. Sure, there are going to be challenges. I will find a way to modify and adjust... I always do!” Arnholt said.

Although students will have more time in each period, the schedules will only be 4 blocks long. The students by the end of the year will receive the same amount, a little more even, instruction as the regular schedule. Having less classes doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing.

“I believe students will have more of an immersion experience with their courses and that they will excel in their assessments as a result of having fewer courses to juggle,” Arnholt said.

Walters believes this to actually be one of the most beneficial parts of switching, as well as the new opportunities for students to excel.

“Students will have the opportunity to have four, five, or six classes at time, rather than focus on seven. I think the work we have done during the pandemic reminds us of our need to focus on less things,” Walters said. “Secondly, the opportunity for students to accelerate to higher levels of coursework in areas of strength or passion. With the new schedule, acceleration opportunities exist where students could double up within one year.”

Walters, Arnholt, and Yu are all ready and excited for the potential of switching to block schedule.

“There’s going to be a bit of a learning curve for everyone involved, but I know that our staff is willing to put in the work to make it an amazing experience for our students,” Arnholt said.