This year at Southern Lehigh, students and teachers have made the transition from a traditional schedule to an A/B block schedule. Many have wondered whether students would be able to focus during a block twice as long as the old class periods. Can they maintain focus? How do they stay focused? What are teachers doing to keep students engaged?

Most students say they can focus rather well. Teachers are also developing lesson plans to give students activities to stay engaged.

Physical education and driver education teacher Mr. Stephen Schrader feels there is no change in focus.  “I incorporated more cooperative and group activities,” Mr. Schrader said. “In P.E. it works great using one strength building lesson and one cardiovascular lesson.”

“Sometimes I do find it hard to maintain focus,” sophomore Kenneth Wu said, “but if the teacher does a demonstration, that helps…and for me personally, hands-on activities like labs and working with other peers helps focus.” He felt the block scheduling did not impact his learning style.

Other students share similar opinions.

“Teachers need to keep the noise down in the classroom,” senior Sarah Woods said.  “And I don’t like sitting for a long period of time.”

In the end. the block schedule has benefits and disadvantages, but both students and staff have found ways to adapt.

Wu advises students to, “Ask questions and answer the teachers’ questions.”

Woods’ advice is a bit different: “Just get it over with.”

With teachers making adjustments to keep students engaged and ready to learn, student focus can be easily obtained. Students who are also willing to work with these changes is another key to maintaining focus and successfully integrating this new schedule.