Starting in the Fall of 2011, the first and second grade classes at James Morris School will be combined in a multiage class taught by three classroom teachers.
We recently held a well attended parent information night. The team would like to thank all the parents who took the time to come out and listen to our plans for next year. We had a productive two hour discussion on the program and truly appreciated the questions and feedback from the community.
Three teachers will be teaching both grades one and two. Each teacher will have a homeroom of approximately 14 students of mixed ages. The homeroom teacher will fill out their homeroom students’ report cards and can be the contact person for those 14 students, with the input from all three teachers. The three teachers will be teaching all of the students in all subject areas. Instruction will take place in whole groups, small groups and individually. Students will be assigned a homeroom, but will also be moving among three classrooms.
How will my child know where to go? Will they get confused, scared or lost in the shuffle?
We will be using three rooms. Two of the rooms will be joined by a large walkway/opening. The third room will be directly across the hall. At this time, we are looking at using the present rooms of Ms.Phelan, Mrs. Layman, and Mrs.Birdsall. Students will not be moving randomly. All movement will be very structured and controlled to eliminate wasting time in transition. An added bonus is that we made sure we had a bathroom in our room.
What curriculum will my child get?
When I started looking at how to explain this set up to parents and answering questions about how the curriculum will work, I realized that I needed to explain how all classrooms work.
Any given classroom can, and often has, students with the level span of 2-3 grades. Just like any other year, this year in kindergarten I am teaching a class that has a student that reads and comprehends on a second grade level and a student that is struggling to recall the letters in the alphabet. This is not unusual, it is typical.
How have we been teaching this wide of a span? We differentiate their curriculum.
We use assessments to determine what level each student is in different curriculum areas and then structure their lessons to meet them at their level. We will teach whole group lessons that pertain to everyone, and we will teach small group lessons and individuals for specific levels, skills, and needs. For example, in reading, we will teach a whole group lesson on how to do a character study, then as students work independently, the three teachers may work in small groups of various levels to go more in depth or to review and assist. In other words, students will be working at their level. We call these groupings flexible groups because we move the students in and out of different groups based on what projects, skills, or needs are being addressed. As students progress and needs change, groupings can and do change. Students will not be "tracked." They will be continually assessed and monitored.
We will be using the current first and second grade curriculum. Therefore the students of second grade age will still be acquiring what they will need to move on to the third grade curriculum and will be receiving the same preparation for CMTs. Social Studies and Science units will be presented on a two year cycle so students will not be repeating topics.
This model is designed to meet all children at their level whether they need more review or more enrichment.
The newest research for what the 21st century learner needs involve collaborative working skills, problem solving skills, and strong social skills. The multiage classroom model builds a strength in all of those areas.
Will there be a distinction between first and second graders?
The answer is yes and no.
Why "yes"
* Second grade age children will have special privileges such as being team leaders for projects. The first graders will look forward to this as a rite of passage.
* Second grade age students will have responsibilities such as being good role models for the younger children.
* Students will go to specials (P.E., Art, etc.) separately as one first grade class and as one second grade class. This is designed to allow the classroom teachers to have a common planning time.
* In Science and Social Studies, we'll work on common themes together as a whole learning community. The second graders will be expected to perform at a more advanced level than they did in first grade.
Why "no"
* All first and second grade students will have all three teachers.
* All first and second grade students will be a part of a combined learning community.
* Students will receive instruction based on their individual needs, and be appropriately challenged.
Why "yes"
* Second grade age children will have special privileges such as being team leaders for projects. The first graders will look forward to this as a rite of passage.
* Second grade age students will have responsibilities such as being good role models for the younger children.
* Students will go to specials (P.E., Art, etc.) separately as one first grade class and as one second grade class. This is designed to allow the classroom teachers to have a common planning time.
* In Science and Social Studies, we'll work on common themes together as a whole learning community. The second graders will be expected to perform at a more advanced level than they did in first grade.
Why "no"
* All first and second grade students will have all three teachers.
* All first and second grade students will be a part of a combined learning community.
* Students will receive instruction based on their individual needs, and be appropriately challenged.
