Looking at the very real possibility of going to a 4-day 4x4 block next year. Could some of the wonderfully talented directors on TYB who have this schedule offer up some suggestions on how to overcome the challenges presented by it? We have done a two-day rotation in the past (MTF straight, WTh Block) and I made that work. Very nervous to have two days a week without a true band period.
Thanks in advance, BB
Re: Block Schedule
Posted by Been there on 2/3/2021, 6:56 am, in reply to "Block Schedule"
90 minute classes are really nice. Get a nice long warmup, plenty of time to really dig into the music.
I did find that kids couldn't make the whole 90 (especially early in the year). Break it up a bit. Do a theory lesson in the middle. Have them get up and move, even if it's just relocating to an ensemble room to do sectionals for 20 minutes.
Try to get the kids playing on the "off" days. I know one school that does morning full-band rehearsals on the days they don't have band class, and morning sectionals on the days they do. When I had this schedule I tried to assign a recording of some sort every class day. Most of the kids don't work ahead, so if it's due Wednesday they'll do it Tuesday night. Make it something short and simple so you aren't grading forever.
Re: Block Schedule
Posted by Ldytrpt on 2/3/2021, 2:31 pm, in reply to "Re: Block Schedule"
We have done before school rehearsals on the days we didn't have band. In addition, in years past we had an ensemble class and those students that weren't in Athletics (Double blocked of course) Students were supposed to sign up for ensemble class if it could fit in their schedule. We finally moved away from block last year, only for it to come back this year due to COVID. Now it's worse. Block every other day, no ensemble class. Definitely reading below what we have in the past. We have also done flipgrid assignments where they just record themselves practicing for 10 minutes (since that is the max it will let you do), just so we knew they were at least doing something. Best of Luck!
