What is a Multi-Age Classroom?
A multi-age class is formed together by placing together a balance of numbers of students of different age groups with a range of achievement levels. The teacher plans instruction and assessment expecting and celebrating the diversity within the class.
Comparison of Learning Structures
Split Grades
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Blended Grades
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Multi-Age
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Looping Grades
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The importance of the teacher's role in a multi-age classroom
- offer open-ended materials that can challenge children in many different developmental levels.
- plan specific activities that offer new challenges to older children.
- have appropriate expectations of younger children and offer extra support when they need it.
- cultivate a strong sense of community and recognize each child's unique contributions to the classroom.
- encourage the older children to take on leadership roles in the classroom.
- encourage younger children to seek out help and support from older children throughout the day.
- support each individual child's learning and development and plan special challenges just for them.
- facilitate the development of relationships across all ages.
The Association of Childhood Education International (ACIE)