New sophomore Magnet bundle aims to support interdisciplinary studies
Sophomore Magnet students in Ms. Tidrick’s Chemistry class will rotate on an A/B schedule to Mrs. Buckert’s World literature course. The Magnet program aims to help students long-term in their studies in both courses with a cross-curricular focus.
August 15, 2014
North Cobb’s Magnet program now require sophomores to take the new Magnet World literature/Chemistry bundle, potentially ending what Magnet students largely perceive as the “easy sophomore year,” as now every year requires two courses bundled together.
In previous years, sophomores sometimes took both Literature and Chemistry in one single semester, unbundled.
According to Magnet coordinator Mr. David Stephenson, administration chose the new bundle because they determined that “writing process, research development, written expression, and scientific understandings were key to long term success in the program.”
He also commented on the year-long aspect of the bundle, stating that “the sophomores will now be able to develop their writing craft as well as their scientific understandings over a full-year as opposed to a single semester.” According to Mr. Stephenson’s remarks, the bundle should impact the new sophomores positively. However, some students tend to disagree.
“I don’t like [the bundle] because chemistry is hard enough as it is, and I would rather only have to worry about the class for one semester,” sophomore Robert Ball, said.
Another sophomore, Julie Sanderlin, said, “I don’t like it because I have to take literature all year, and I’m not very good in that class.”
While some students dislike the bundle’s expectations, others like the positive impact thus far. This bundle gives them more time to complete homework. In addition, this bundle appears, at least at the onset, perceived easier than the AP Human Geography/ Magnet Leadership/ Magnet Government bundle.
Mrs. Susan Buckert, Magnet World literature teacher, enjoys the new bundle as well. “I love it because from a time perspective, it gives everyone more time to absorb the material, but I do realize they have to balance my work with Chemistry,” Mrs. Buckert said.
Sophomores present their “Where I’m From” poems and projects in Mrs. Buckert’s World literature course.
Although the bundle appears convenient in many ways, some continue to find it bothersome. Chemistry teacher Jordan Tidrick says, “It confuses me because I have twice as many kids, and in the second week of school I’ve only seen my classes three times.”
Overall, the bundle receives mixed reactions by both students and teachers, but the objective is clear: “We now have a true international studies sophomore experience, one where all of our Magnet kids will have the same teachers and environment to grow,” Stephenson said.
