Thanks for writing. Time is always such a big issue in schools these day isn't it?
Our district has implemented Investigations in >grades K-4. Our 5th grade classes are in a middle school setting. We >have 39 minute periods. I, for example, teach a double period block of >English/Lang. Arts and then 3 5th grade math classes. Here is the >question- It has been "suggested" that we use Investigations in Grade >5 since this is what the classes below are using. From what I see, it >seems as though this is not possible. Do you really need an hour each >day?
I agree with the suggestion you received to continue Investigations into the 5th grade curriculum. I think you really do need a larger block of time than 39 minutes for a successful implementation of Investigations. In fact I think you need a larger block of time to teach any form of mathematics.
I am curious. Do your children rotate from classroom to classroom? Do you lose time in the movement? When you say 39 minutes is that 39 minutes after the class is settled?
I hope it is not an either or situation that is decided because of the time frame you're locked into at this point. Is there any way your staff can look at the schedule and schedule larger blocks of time for math like you have for English and Language Arts?
My daughter also was part of blocked time 5-8th grades. She had a teacher for English/Language Arts and Social Studies and another teacher for math and science. Both teachers did amazing things because they could go in depth with one discipline and also integrate ideas from the 2 disciplines in a deep way. They also worked very closely as a team.
Perhaps there are other readers who can share their upper elementary schedule.
____________________________ >>How would it be to teach this program to 3 classes a day?
I find Investigations to be very engaging for the kids and as a the teacher. I would personally love to teach math all day long. Even if it was 3 classes are focused on the same unit. One advantage for teaching math 3 times is a person new to Investigations can really become familiar with the units and mathematics through the various experiences. It's not uncommon for middle school teachers teach the same math classes 2-3 times in one day.
____________________________ >>>The program seems wonderful, but is it doable in our situation?
The program is wonderful. It's worth looking very hard at schedule options so you can provide rich experiences. Keep writing with questions.
Again, I hope other readers will share how they have schedule mathematics in the upper elementary grades.