K/1 class next year and it is a PBL school (project based learning)-success (or not)? 2E students?

[KCMichigan]

I am so excited!

DDs are enrolled in a 'school of choice' ( not gifted, rather a school that is 100% choice- no zoned area) for a K/1 classroom.

The school is Project Based Learning, multi-aged, and runs on an alternative calendar.

DDs (5) will be K students, but we have already had a meeting with the principal and talked w/ the GT coordinator. (side note: they are not tested as gifted- we have not tested them, but both preschool/PreK, and various professionals have declared both of them very advanced) They will be able to work with 'ability' based groupings (from K- 2) for reading, math, and writers workshop (since the whole school does this) : then with science, social studies, and art/music/gym with K classmates. The reading is the biggie-- both DDs would be restless with endless phonic review and basic sight words. It will be nice to have them be able to write/read about books they are reading NOW. I was told they have K/ 1/2 graders that are advanced and they will have 1 or 2 reading level beyond the 2nd grade level. Math-eh- not so much, they are past K, but barely and really right now have little interest. 

The first PBL is an agricultural theme (we live in a high agri based area)- they will grow(measure, record data, etc) corn behind the school, visit the state fair, etc....sounds like fun. I want to go!

I really really hoping this works out well. The school runs on themes that all the academic content (and art/gym) are revolved around.

It has the potential to be a good fit. 

DD1 is 2e, but we have met the staff she will work with as well and they seem great. A rough 504 plan is in place for the 1st day of school. I am actually just as worried about the social implications of her 2Es as I am the academic ones of her reading/writing in K- if not more so.

I am just crossing my fingers that the reality of it all matches the 'paper' picture. I know there is no such thing as a 'perfect' setting, but I do want my DDs to be in a setting that is positive, encourages them to keep learning, allows them to recognize both their own talents and to see that others talents vary from their own (and be respectful/supportive of the wide differences in their peers- academically, physically, culturally, and socially).

Anyone had success in :

1. multi-age?

2. PBL ?

3. Advanced  2e child that ALL (important) needs were met?

We have been in positive, warm, caring, supportive preschool programs that have done a fantastic job of keeping DDs engaged mentally and also allowing for the wide asynchronous developmental patterns they both have (socially, physically, etc). My very verbal, very outgoing, unique kiddos that love all sorts of strange  and odd things. For now, they know (or care) little about popular music, current events, etc.

This momma is very nervous about keeping their joy, love of learning, compassion for others, and wonder alive--  Anyone relate?

Edited by KCMichigan - 5/26/11 at 11:21am

[moominmamma]

No experience, but I just wanted to say that the school sounds very exciting and like it could work out very well. 

My kids are homeschooled, but their structured learning experiences (music school, aikido, theatre programs, gardening club, etc.) have tended to be multi-age and I love the rich interplay of ages, interests and abilities that tends to occur in such settings. 

Miranda

[whatsnextmom]

We've had some similar experiences but nothing exaclty like you mentioned. We have the "High Tech" schools in our area and they are heavily sought after. People try for years to get their kids in. We are starting the lotto process next year in hopes that 3 rounds will be enought to get DS in by 9th grade. We know many kids who didn't fit in traditional schooling models that have thrived in the PBL model. Ours have no gifted programs nor AP programs (GATE unneccessary and they don't believe in AP.) We have many friends involved and they love it. One kid built a working full scale hover craft in 8th grade and this year is building his own guitar.... this is a PG kid who was floundering in traditional school. It's not for all. We have one friend who pulled their child because it wasn't working for the same reasons we didn't choose this model for our eldest. Perfectionist and kids who prefer to work individually can have a tough time with all the group work. It's one thing to rely on others for 1 or 2 group projects a year. To have to do so for almost all your work, well, not all kids can do that. Like I said though, when done right, it can be an excellent model for the right kids.

Outside some combo classes and subject accelerations, the kids multi-aged learning experiences have always been outside of school. It's always been a bonus to my kids. Typically, issues don't come up until your child is the oldest in a multi-aged environment but that's not to say it's not an overall good method of education.

My DS is 2E and has had his needs routinely met at school in both reguards. We still hit walls here and there, mostly in reguards to organizational issues but they've given him a lot of different options to come up with the same work and I appreciate the schools flexibility on it.

[ollyoxenfree]

That school sounds terrific.

My dc attended multi-age Montessori programs and they were wonderful. They also experienced a lot of project-based learning in congregated gifted classes, although those programs weren't entirely PBL so I doubt they were equivalent to your school. I was impressed by what they accomplished and I can only imagine what can be done in a fully PBL environment.   

I hope you will keep us updated. 

[Linda on the move]

My kids go to an multi-age school with lots of project based learning and it is wonderful. Deeply wonderful.

This was our first year there (kids are 13 and 14) and tomorrow is the last day of school. I feel weepy when I think about this year and how much my kids have grown and learned, and all the amazing experiences they've had.

Today they finally baked bread in the over they built from bricks in the traditional style of the natives of this region. They made the bricks themselves from clay they dug, they made the molds for the bricks, they formed the bricks into a dome, the whole cha cha. And it's just been one little project they work on one afternoon a week!

It's very cool.

The school is a k-12 school, and one minus for the younger children is that they are exposed to aspects of pop culture from the older students that they most likely wouldn't know about in a different situation. It's like having A LOT of older cousins.

The school does well with gifted kids, kids with mild special needs, and 2E kids. Not every student is a good fit, though. Some kids really need more structure than the school provides.

I hope you have a blessed year next year!

[karne]

Oh my goodness, I would jump at this chance!  It sounds great.  We have some experience with multi-age, and with the right mix it has the potential to offer many rewards.  I love project based learning.  I truly wish that was in the cards next year for my ds.  The first unit you described sounds really interesting.