Enhancing Self-Esteem

1. AcademicAchievement Building Character Multiage Education Caring for Community EnhancingSelf-Esteem Multiage Education

2. Multiage Classroom Definition A classroom containing a heterogeneous mix of children of various ages, readiness levels, learning styles and personalities whose instruction will flow from the basis of continuous progress. This is based on the core belief that it is in the mixing of diverse elements that academic and social growth are enhanced. A Multiage class is based on the belief that children learn at different rates and are allowed to make continuous progress without fear of failure. These philosophical stances drive the structure and the methods of the classroom.

3. Multiage Classroom Definition Multiage classrooms are not a split grade classroom where instruction takes place along separate grade level lines. Multiage is also not an accelerated or gifted classroom program. In a multiage classroom children are not “below”, “at”, or “above” grade level, rather they are developing on their own continuous path, rather than a series of finite steps. Children in a multiage class experience whole group, small group and individualized instruction as well as project work.

4. Multiage Classroom Definition Multiage classrooms build strong community and familial ties, holding the whole child at its center. The classroom takes this concept seriously and tries to create a warm, nurturing classroom climate. “…Multiage education opens up learning for every child, providing an enriched learning environment within a family of mixed-age learners. ….” Sandra Stone, Director of the National Multiage Institute and Chairman of the College of Education at Northern Arizona University

5. Benefits of a Multiage Classroom Students remain with a teacher for a period of 3 years, reducing the number of student-teacher transitions, allowing for continuity of expectations and instruction, and a powerful long-term relationship between student, teacher and family. There is an atmosphere of nurturing rather than one of competition (which children pressure one another to fit an arbitrary norm). In multiage classes children accept natural differences of children in age and achievement. There are opportunities for all students to play different roles in the educational process.

6. Additional Benefits of a Multiage Classroom • Learning as a whole person. • Learning is social. • Freedom to take risks, follow interests, and make choices. • Facilitation of personal construction of knowledge. • Developing intellectual and communication skills because of broader differences in the learning community. • Providing a natural environment for pro-social behaviors to thrive such as helping, sharing and taking turns. • Encouraging cooperative learning in the absence of competition. • Providing contexts for the development of leadership skills for all ages.

7. Multiage in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools In the Grosse Pointe Schools, the Multiage class is a three year commitment. Children enter the class as first graders and stay through third grade. The Multiage classroom follows Grosse Pointe curriculum. Content areas such as science and social studies that are grade level specific are taught on a cyclic basis and at differing levels of complexity. Key concepts are taught to the whole group and exploratory activities are differentiated according to level of complexity. On-going assessment drives the student’s instruction. Assessment is based on daily work, work portfolios, teacher observations, and differentiated and standardized tests. Standardized tests (MEAP, NWEA, etc.) are conducted at the student’s grade level. Based on their assessments, students are placed into flexible groupings based on readiness, not grade level. Flexible grouping supports continuous progress.

8. Multiage in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools The participation of families is key in the program. Parents and other family members frequently volunteer in the classroom and help coordinate activities during the year. Community Service is another important component of the Multiage classroom. Children and family members join together in support community and common good. Children in the Multiage classroom are not isolated from their peers in other traditional classrooms. Children have the opportunity to visit with friends from other classrooms through recess, lunch, grade level field trips and other enrichment activities.

9. AcademicAchievement Building Character Caring for Community EnhancingSelf-Esteem Benefits & Observations of Children from the GPPSS Multiage Class • Younger children are exposed to higher grade level curriculum and older children have previous curriculum reinforced through passive exposure within the classroom. • Are able to solve problems easier • Are very flexible in learning situations • Are confident learners and adapt quickly to same-age classroom environments • Learn to effectively deal with ‘real life’ issues • Are able to work with a variety of children and groups • Tend to become leaders in their classroom • Are divergent thinkers • Are able work independently • Older children learn to act as mentors to younger children • Participate in community service projects • Inclusion of extended family members in classroom activities

10. Multiage Classroom Considerations In order to implement multiage classrooms efficiently and effectively, parents and teachers need to be educated regarding the underlying philosophies of the multiage class. New teachers to the multiage classroom need to be educated on how to implement differentiated instructional strategies, environments and assessments. Parents need to be provided with classroom information so that they understand and support their child’s learning and growth. School administrators should consider multiage education as a viable “alternative program” that should be available to any student and treat these classrooms as a smaller learning community or school within a school. Teacher ‘buy-in’ and preparedness are important considerations. Since children are in the classroom for 3 years the stability of the teacher in that classroom is critical.

11. AcademicAchievement Building Character Multiage Education Caring for Community EnhancingSelf-Esteem This document was prepared by the faculty, teacher and parents of Trombly and the Multiage class. It is intended to provide an introduction to multiage classroom philosophy and it’s implementation at Trombly Elementary school. March 2010.