Multiage

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Multiage
By Debbie

Hi all,
Sounds like it wasn't your decision to do multiage...I'm 3/4 having come from 1/2, both by choice. I love it. It's more of an open community than looping because you have half your group coming and going each
year-fresh ideas, etc. You save a minimum of a month's teaching time, because you have children who know you and the routines to guide the new 'youngers'. Since you're picking up where you left off, you really get to know your learners. You don't just manage to keep behaviors in check, instead the room runs more like a family because we know one another so well.
Our class is

heterogeneous and essentially runs on a continuum of learning. Over the summer, my partner and I (we split one group of children-she's half time and I do RR and staff support half a day) worked to integrate all the science and social studies standards for both GLs. Because we both believe in differentiated instruction, it was easy to assess/evaluate our kids in reading, writing and mathematics and place them on a continuum. We form varying dynamic groups both hetergeneously and homogeneously based upon what each child needs. Since most of the content areas are integrated into Math/Science or Language Arts/SS blocks (not split like that exclusively, more whatever fits when), we have lots of extra time to be more extensive as well as intensive. If you'd like information on assessments, classroom routines, etc. please don't hesitate to post again or email. ;-D