I totally agree!This year I loved science!I didn't want it to end!
Sara :eusaclap: goodcall!claps for James

i really agree with you both on how it is separated in semesters i at least wish we could have bothe of these classes all year :P

Totally!

They are holding us back from learning, valubable information!

In an effort to fit all classes into 4 period days, the county school system has had to cut instruction in science and social studies when compared with other "core classes."

My teacher last year frequently had to skip activities in order to teach certain concepts listed in her pacing guides.

It is quite a dilemna: how can we regain valuable social studies and science education without robbing other subjects of class time?
Any thoughts?

Here's my two cents on social studies in our current system...

1. The subjects are [i]far[/i] too broad! Especially in World Civilizations, the 10th grade course(which for this reason I regret not taking AP Euro.) In WC we jumped from culture to culture so fast that it is impossible to really gain an understanding of the peoples we are studying.

2. Although it may seem controversial, I think it is critical for students to study more modern historical events; such as World War 2. Since I was a boy, I studied the global conflict with great detail, and from it I learned that it was more than Hitler and holocaust(which, shamefully, is the only thing most people know of it;) it was an intense and inspiring struggle of humanity. In this experience, I feel that I have gained an understanding of humanity from a perpective that may never be mimicked again in the future.

[quote]2. Although it may seem controversial, I think it is critical for students to study more modern historical events; such as World War 2. Since I was a boy, I studied the global conflict with great detail, and from it I learned that it was more than Hitler and holocaust(which, shamefully, is the only thing most people know of it;) it was an intense and inspiring struggle of humanity. In this experience, I feel that I have gained an understanding of humanity from a perpective that may never be mimicked again in the future.[/quote]

That is a great idea, which should definitely be explored better. Perhaps this could be studied in 7th grade or 8th grade (possibly followed by a more in-depth class in high school), when all students have the same class, rather than in high school, where students have different topics available to them. Last year (7th grade) we studied WWI and WWII somewhat, learning which countries were against which, but we didn't really go into the causes of the wars (maybe these were considered too touchy for such a 'young' class). I noticed what you said about jumping topic-to-topic. Also, we received a thorough assessment of why capitalism is superior to Communism (that was one of the teacher's 'really important' topics). Sadly, we managed to study all of Asia, Africa, and Europe -- in 90 days -- which meant we really didn't get much on each area or country.

Anyway, kudos on the wonderful thoughts.

I agree that classes are way too broad!That's why I'm in favor of a 5 period day! Yes it takes time off other classes but I think it is a decent solution!What do you guys think?

You might have heard about the new science/social studies MSA that's coming soon (next year, I believe) to middle schools. The problem that becomes apparent is that the tests are in March, but by that time, you've completed one subject and are beginning your second, putting students on an uneven playing field.

What I think will happen is that you'll have science and social studies alternating on a 2-day schedule (much like 8th grade english/foreign language).

This idea keeps current class times the same, but gives no student groups an advantage for the science/social studies MSA based on their schedule.

that's perfect! I mean the english/foriegn language schedule works really well!

I think that the A/B schedual is an excelent solution. I have thought this for a while. Not only will this help with the MSA section but my teacher has repeatedly told me that when you take HSA's and other assesments we will be expected to answer questions from the past year. IF you had Social Studies the first half of 7'th grade and then have it the last semester of 8'th alot of the details will not be rememberd by mosat students. I do not believe that half year courses are a very good method of teaching in the long run, but that is just my opinion.

I don't like how we have Science and Social Studies for only ONE semester!!! With the limited time we have to learn everything in one semester we are rushed through all of our units. Therefore we are not learning all that we are required to. This will result in poor grades, stress, and possibly not going onto the next high course. I believe that this is a major issue that needs to be addressed!

I think that we need a more thorogh instruction in the classes! We are capable of doing the information, but a reason why I got a "c" in one of them is because I didn't understand the information!

everythings rushed for the msa s we dont have enough time for the fun stuff like electives and i really like science and ss

well first of all school isn't about the fun stuff! I think that the every other day schedule ,that somebody mentioned earlier in the forum, would be a logical solution! Can somebody make a poll, I haven't figured out how yet!

people dont like it because the fun stuff are the labs and personally i like the research we can do in social studies. Everyone has things that they like best in thesee two subject!!!!

I'm coing to open a diff. forum so pay attention!!!!!!!

What about the every other day schedule!? I seriously think that is a perfect solution! We will have it like the foriegn language/LA classes

still it gives more worries about the kids fforgetting it and
i think the 4- period day should be 5 periods or maybe 6?!

[color=red]*EDITED OUT ANNOYING PUNTUATION EXAGGERATIONS*Do not use excessive punctuation please.[/color]

that is making no sense! That would leave less time for science/ss!

scrifices are to be made
my teachers actually liked the 7 period day
with ss & science every day

in my classes now we can barely fit everything in! that would be a logical solution

With the every other day schedule you lose a lot of valuable time. (More than 20% of a school year for the period) But you have more time in the class which make labs less pushed and you can get more out of the S.S. lesson.

Everyone currently enrolled in middle school, if this problem doesn't get solved, remember that in high school science and social studies are all year round, and also that you can take SO many electives that are in specific subject areas.

I am a freshman right now, and next year I am signed up to take A.P. Environmental Science as well as Chemistry, just because I love science so much. I am planning to take many science electives....and one of the reasons that I am able to have so many electives in high school is because of the four period days. They give us such an opprotunity to explore different things before we get to college and to expland on our interests.

For those of you in middle school, just suffer a little bit now, and in a couple years you are going to be able to take so many cool courses that your heads will be spinning. Trust me. :wink:

[quote="DrewT"]With the every other day schedule you lose a lot of valuable time. (More than 20% of a school year for the period) But you have more time in the class which make labs less pushed and you can get more out of the S.S. lesson.[/quote]

You may have less time for core subjects, but you do have more total instruction time throughout the day.

55 min period days and electives are every day half a period
that way you get eveything you want and ss and sci are expanded so less homework more activities

Biology is the top major at a large amount of colleges, by reducing sciences we are reducing the chances of sending our kids to college. They need to be focused on science early. Five years ago when I was in middle school I barely even remember my science classes but I remember wasting time in my English class, learning ways to write such as Power Writing which makes you look like a complete fool in high school. They're reading the science textbook which is still reading, it's better than reading The Outsiders, where the protagonist smokes cigarettes all the time.

Hey everyone whose posted on this forum, ever. Look back at the earlier posts and read about how enthusiastic everyone was about making middle school science and social studies a/b day, and how we are hurting these subjects to make more time for math and english. if you still feel strongly, come testify and tell the board that going back to the semesterized system would be a mistake.

Also, i have to agree that World history is too broad, and maybe we should be teaching the more modern stuff in middle school instead of so much american history. however, i also agree that that isn't a politically popular position, and it is unlikely anyone would be open to changing it.

Modern History isn't always popular with EVERYONE. They need broad sujects in middle school, when the electives are limited (I personally like ancient and and all pre-WWI history so far)

And while the current schedules are strange in middle schools, with the half year SS and half year Science, the MSA's for those are dumb, but spacing it out for middle school is also not such a great idea. A teacher being so fimilar with the same class day to day is good, as well as knowing and learning to do your stinkin' homework everynight, and not holding it off for the night before (which becomes a bad habit).

In highschool Ap, you'll learn that the most learning you do is the homework. The long time in class is EXTREMELY needed, and while it doesn't fit with the science of the attention span, it's the only way to do it.

Also, PE and fitness classes NEED the extra time. A 7-day periods time spacing would be insufficent.

I agree with the Pe classes needing the most time that they can get. Sometimes in my classes on short days it gets really hard to fit any sport in and in this day and age people need to be moving as much as they can. 75% of my class doesn't do anything most of the time anyway.