HomeMy WebLinkAboutMulti-Age Elementary Classroom-1995 Explorers: A Multi-Age
Elementary Classroom
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Our ntulli-ace class is fun because we do center time. —
we write stories. w c spend a lot of time in each others d
classes. 'I he Blue Thou does the harder work and the Red -
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cam In s t spell ref. and all n snacks This x- �` � y
l f
y n Me Explore News. a w kly u d nl n r
v 1 e I slimier.captures the en of K ml EI m ntary A tC
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NIulti-Age class If u were to spend a day in the Explo'-
a Ia.. at only loll ■ou have tun you vou would hind a
claskroom bursting w rth learning activities Id to l- -0
p biit(4know) d You would liMi h.h.e It acknowl-
'Ur
acknowl-
edge that these It lirst and second orade students are in
• I .Ige of their ow n learning
The Explorers' multi-age class is comprised of filly first "N p
and second grade students whose parents expressed interest
hi participating in a pilot program which combined primary Photo Huck Left to Right K]i■Wil B 5etd,Cackc■ flapmzn. n C'k
students from two grade levels with two teachers as models IV nit 'i..‘denim cn On',le I I wa and Ahs(low art T
and facilitators of learning. Teaching as a team, Mrs Pam b
VI D on and Mrs Sharon Roper fmllit t the Explorers' V
plan f . sec nl multi-age cll t he formed fo the 1995- d
educational hwn yby dells monitoring,of rest and
a p'
96 school year. This
dell would px id for the guided instruction to their I Flexible 1p- to on. already involved n the pilot w ho are ready tor in a l'the keys to this class' success.is used for lied i-
ties and small group instileuon according to areas of iinter- 4romulol 0 thud_radeands lldlsveeurnlllirdgrad-
I needs, and ability cols. r who.hose parents are interested in the program an opportu- t
The mull 1 approach allo students to pro r at a
lo
mty to pa ticip t as well
pace more closely aligned es ill] (heir developmental needs. Ihemulli- .e philosophy tturtsdevelopmentullyup-
a.opposed to their age. Students needing
promote practices and accommodates children at different
I P more e l ne to nos l i el gical. psychological.and > ial/emotional stages As
Gera kills have the opportunity they need, while students
progressing at a more rapid tat Lite encouraged to further one Explorer states, "We get to pick a new, harder hook
their learning.Older,more mature students are everpresent once we cart mad the fiat one Using individual and small
models Mr younger students w Nile tolerance and apprecia- group instruction and independent study svmegies_students
Lion for the Inds victual talents and abilities of others is en- arc challenged to learn through centers, Literature Clubs,
colmged inthsetting. Parent Sandy Keeler states,-I like Daily News,individualized sp•Ilinginquiry_jrumals.porl-
hacin,• the older children work with the voun er vudents. folios. research. and hands-on activities. Thematic, inte-
9h} motivate them to make them feels III. Liken se grated units of study provide students wwith exciting and chal-
ihe lenging subjects to explore. 'Last week we talked about
the older children develop gl d.ell steem h Ipin others- ho pers, crickets, ladybugs. and the praying
Enrollment' l the multi-are class at Keoh is a two-year Sr xs 4! 1 as mantis.
commitment f -parentss andstudent..The success and po.i-
Did you know as hoppers jump vegF h—tw enty
tie response from parents and students has lead to tentative t racy their Ina the n-rites another Explorer
The program's success has been enhanced not only by
the dedication oh its teachers.but by the 40 to 45 hours per
_ week voltinteered by parents of the students through Semi-
-- 'ole County's Dividend program.These parents volunteer
to work in the classroom to help their children study and
Ire together.
Po itive effects of the multi-age clas, approach are
numerous. The include:
Socialization:and independence are favored.
1 •Cooperation and interaction with peers are encouraged_
•Younger students'eavesdrop"on lessons of older students.
•Older students some as roods Is for younger students.
• Parents are more invoked.
,...,�% Attendance m school is likely to he better.
', •Tachels may be more cllicient because they only have
Photo LN are. 1kha0.Allele M Ten olio.D tl% d.. to get to know approximately 2new students each year.
Pail'NIL Doueld I leachci I unit Apgar Ellis
9504