This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of departmentalization of elementary schools, with an emphasis on teaching mathematics, as perceived by preservice teachers who shared their opinions through online discussion. Advantages include teachers' enthusiasm about and focused attention on the specialized area and students' easier transition to junior high school. Disadvantages include not knowing students on a more personal level, loss of integration and connection across different subjects, added stress on young children when they have to move from classroom to classroom, and time wasted during such moves. Some middle ground, such as team teaching, was offered as a compromise between departmentalizing and not departmentalizing.