Postive experiences with mixed-grade classes in public school? - Page 2

[mamatowill]

I am currently teaching a combined 4/5. At the interviews in December I had a lot of parents asking me about how I could teach a class like that. I teach the same lesson for Language and Math. The expectations are almost the same and when it is not I might give the 5's a mini lesson but the 4's are exposed to it. Science and Social Studies is harder since there are few commanalities but I just teach two separate lessons. Art, music, etc. are the same lesson to the expectations being very similiar.

[Tigerle]

Thank you for that interesting perspective ecoteat.

The local Montessori elementary and middle school that I will be looking at for DS (3.5) splits their classrooms 1 through 4 (to be in line with the public school transition to middle school that starts in 5th grade where I live), then 5/6, 7/8, 9/10. I was wondering why their confidence in managing wide age spans appears to go down as the kids get older, as it were. They may have had similar experiences or concerns.

[Tuesday]

DS is just finishing up his Gr. 1 year in split (1/2) class - it's been a non issue. As said above, each level receives a separate lesson plan. For our own DS (with a lot of emotional/behaviour special needs and a sensitive, intense personality), the group has functioned really well. I was in split grades through most of my primary years and found it a positive. If anything, as the younger student, I was inspired by the older grade's accomplishments.