What do you think of when you hear the word
summer? For most students the first thing that comes to mind is “no school”. What
would happen if the two month summer vacation became only one month? That means we would have to come back to school one month earlier? This may
happen if Canada decides to change the traditional school calendar to the
balanced calendar, otherwise known as “Year Round Schooling”. Before we simply
decide whether we should accept or reject this idea we should understand what are the differences between the traditional calendar and year round schooling. Then we would compare the benefits, disadvantages, and finally come up with a conclusion on whether we should accept or reject year round schooling.
The traditional calendar is the school schedule when school begins at early September, and ends at late June. The reason why there is a two month break took place a long time ago. Back then the children needed to help their parents harvest the crops and help out on the farm, therefore the schools decided that there will be no classes at that time. However, times have changed and now most kids don't spend their summer working on a farm. Since the main purpose of the traditional school calendar wouldn't apply now, people have tried to come up with a school schedule that fitted this time, and now the idea of year round schooling was born. Year round schooling is when the amount of summer vacation time is reduced, and instead there are more frequent, but shorter breaks spread out in the school year. Both traditional and year round schooling have the same number of classes in session.
Year round schooling can be beneficial. Since the breaks from school are shorter, you have a smaller chance of forgetting what you learn in school. This is because the if you neglect learning over a really long period of time, eventually you would forget some of the things you learn, however if that really long period of time was reduced than the student wouldn't forget as much. Now, if the students remember what they learn in school last year the teacher wouldn't need to go review everything that the students had just learn a few months ago. Having a vacation with the year round schooling is more flexible because not everyone wants to travel in the summer. Instead you can travel in the other seasons.
However, despite the benefits there are some disadvantages to having year round schooling. Regardless of the having the smaller chance of forgetting what you learn in school during the break, you would still forget some material you learn over the year. Since you forgot something you would need to review over again. Now with three, one month long breaks, you would have to review the material over again three times instead of only once. Another disadvantage is that your vacations would have to be shorter, which can be inconvient when visiting relatives.
Personally I don't the idea of year round schooling because I don't want to go to school in the summer when it is really hot. Not to mention that changing the calendar would probably be difficult for me since I am already used to having really long summer breaks.
Go to these links for more information:
http://www.newstudentunion.com/2011/12/29/pros-and-cons-of-year-round-schools/
http://712educators.about.com/cs/reformtime/a/yearrounded.htm
http://websites.msdpt.k12.in.us/superintendent/extended-calendar/
I agree with you Michelle. Two month Summer breaks do give us more time to spend time with families by visiting them over seas. One month can sometimes feel like a day and at our age, some family members are starting to pass away. We need to enjoy as much time with them as possible and make good memories.
ReplyDeleteNow I know that you can visit them during one month breaks too but it cost more to go visit them 3 times a year cast more money than once.
People with financial problems may find it difficult to afford going away to another country more than once a year.
I also agree with you about how summer is very hot. Going to school during them extremely hot months will be like a sauna. I do not think that every schools have air conditioners so class will be like I said, a sauna.
Great job Michelle! I liked how you had an interesting and original introduction, something other than the topic. However, you should read it out loud so you can find grammar mistakes easier. I also liked how well you defined the topic.
ReplyDeleteLorrieya: I agree with your comment. Imagine having to go to class in the portables!
ReplyDeleteThose are some good points Lorrieya. I don't go on vacation a lot, but when I do go on vacation I wouldn't want to just stay there for a week just because of shorter breaks. It is also true that people with financial problems can't afford to go on frequent vacations, however they don't have to go on vacation every three months. Also those who simply don't go on vacation won't be affected by this.
ReplyDeleteIf you think the going to the portables in the summer are bad, imagine going through the crowded hallways!
But what about if it is to visit older family members?
ReplyDeleteRight now people are starting to want to spend mare time with them because eventually, they are going to die. Not all grandparents and people like that live together.
True, people who want to spend time with grandparents, or their elders would be affected. You probably should of wrote about this topic since you have some really good points.
ReplyDelete