On 2/26/09, Pauline wrote:
> On 1/06/09, Debby wrote:
>> I am looking for model multiage primary classrooms in
>> northern California which my staff could visit. Coule you
>> suggest some please?
>
> Hello Debby -- I'm not in California, but I wanted to contact
> you to find out why you all are interested in multiage primary
> classrooms. The reason I'm interested: Our school has had
> combination 1st/2nd grade classrooms since the late 1990s and
> earlier this week our school council has been asked to decide
> if we wish to keep this in place or go to straight classrooms.
> As a result, I'm trying to research the pros and cons to both
> approaches. My son is in 1st grade and our experiences have
> been positive, however, the majority of the teachers wish to
> go to staight classrooms and of the 40-50 parents I have
> surveyed so far they want the same. The teachers have said the
> children enter 3rd grade behind due to this approach and the
> parents seem to be most concerned about the social mixing of
> this group of kids. On the other side, the research I have
> read the last two nights show great results for multiage
> classrooms when the teachers understand the concept and know
> how to teach multiage. I would appreciate any feedback you
> have on this subject. Thanks, Pauline (Kentucky)

hi- I have taught in a multiage Classroom for 12 years and prior
to that a single graded first grade classroom. Unfortunately I
teach in Pennsylvania not California so you can't visit. I
personally hope to never go to a single graded classroom again.
We love it ( I teach with 2 other colleagues) the advantages
include: students learn to appreciate the differences and not be
so competitive, some students would never have the opportunity
to be a leader which happens during the second year. As a
teacher I don't have any down time with my oldtimers(second year
students), I know what I taught and what they learned so we just
pick right up the second year. The kids have a gift of time with
out realizing it.
We built a community of learners within a large building and
also based our community of learning on community service. Our
students do a community service at least every other month to
show that we as a member of community needs to give back. We
also feel that we know all of our students so much better
because we team and each of us teaches each student at some
point. It helps parents because each of the teachers see a
student in a different way not just 1 person against the
parental views. We teach in a 2 year cycle so the students
receive instruction using the exact same curriculum as the
graded students. SOme research shows that multiage students
actually do better on standardized tests... my students are well
prepared for the state test in third grade...
They also have a wide range of friends in 3rd, 2nd, and 1st
where do we in society only deal with people in the exact same
age group? It is a positive that our parents always comment
about when talking the pros and cons of multiage.
Hope this helps... Cindy( PA)

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