I hear this question a lot from other teachers and parents. This is a very valid question considering a combination classroom is not your traditional classroom. My answer is that it works very well! In fact, I love teaching the first/second grade! Here is what I have learned from my students in a multi-age classroom over the last four years:
1) The classroom environment and social connections are enhanced!
As 1st graders, the students learn all of the expectations and routines of the classroom. When they return with me as 2nd graders, they help teach all of these expectations to the new 1st graders without even realizing it. They are already modeling exactly what we do in our classroom! The 2nd graders really step up as leaders. They take the 1st graders under their wing and help them in the classroom, lunchroom, and playground. They form into a "class" and not two separate groups. This helps the 2nd graders build responsibility and empathy! Having a 2nd grade buddy helps the 1st graders build confidence.
Sometimes parents have concerns that their 1st grader is to young to be with a 2nd grade group. I can understand this initial concern, but can absolutely reassure parents that students reach out to each other from both grade levels and strong friendships are built throughout the year.
2) Academically, every child will receive what he or she needs!
I often get the question, "How is it even possible to teach two different grades at one time?" My response is that in ANY classroom there is a variety of needs. Differentiation is the key to instruction in a regular classroom or a multi-age classroom. Some may be concerned that just the 1st grade curriculum or just the 2nd grade curriculum will be taught and this is NOT the case.
We use the Daily 5 to manage our reading block. Readers are matched up to their instructional level. Whole group strategy lessons are taught through read alouds and shared readings. Small group instruction is designed to meet the needs of the students in each group. Typically 1st graders are working on phonemic awareness, phonics, and comprehension with some vocabulary and fluency practice as well. 2nd graders are transitioning more into deeper comprehension along with fluency and vocabulary instruction.
Through Writing Workshop, students are working on skills at their own level through their own self-selected writing topics. Skills range from decoding and spelling words to writing in complete sentences to adding details to a story. Writing is very important in our classroom because it goes hand-in-hand with reading development.
Math is run in stations. Students are broken up into groups and rotate through three stations: teacher lesson, assignment, and math game. Again, through the small group approach, I am able to differentiate to the needs of the students.
Science and Social Studies are taught as a whole group, and I pull resources from both grade level curriculums.
I hope this helps to answer some questions as your child enters a multi-age classroom this fall!
