The Multiage Classroom

Developed by the Combined Elementary Task Forces of the Metropolitan Omaha Educational Consortium (MOEC), Omaha, NE: University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1999

Table of Contents

Definition
Key Elementary of a Multiage Classroom
Benefits of a Multiage Classroom Setting
Challenges to Overcome
Sites to Visit
Helpful Resources
Web Sites
Committee Members
MOEC Membership
MOEC

Definition

A multiage classroom is a learning community of children who represent two or more age groups or grade levels. It is a heterogeneous group of children representing the intellectual, cultural and economic profile of the school where the classroom exists. The goal is to use instructional practices and curriculum which maximize the potential benefits of interaction and cooperation among children who vary in experience, maturity and ability. Children with different experiences and stages of development are encouraged to offer or request support from each other for all aspects of classroom activity. As appropriate, large group, small flexible group and individual instruction are utilized. In some cases a group of children and a teacher will stay together for several years.

A multiage classroom is based on the following assumptions of teaching and learning:

• Student diversity is a given. Diversity is viewed as a strength and is central in making the learning community effective. A multiage classroom operates more like a family operates to solve its everyday problems.
• A belief in a teaching model that is interactive in nature, with everyone learning from each other.
• A belief that learning does not necessarily occur in a neat, orderly sequence. Learning is dynamic, complex and developmental.
• A belief that how to learn is as valuable as what is learned. It is not presumed "covering curriculum" is learning.
• A belief that the teacher will facilitate a variety of teaching and learning experiences that will be developmentally appropriate for students in the class, and that children will learn from these experiences. 

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Key Elements of A Multiage Classroom

• Hands on, interactive learning, with availability of a wide selection of concrete materials that foster math concepts and language development
• A wide selection of real books available to the learner
• Thematic units integrating subject areas
• Team teaching
• Accessing information through multiple resources
• Flexible grouping
• Cooperative learning groups
• Constant monitoring of each student’s growth in each subject area, with new learning experiences planned which move the student forward at a rate commensurate with his/her ability
• Developing student independence is a priority
• Children are valued as decision makers and evaluators
• Curriculum is designed to meet the district standards and outcomes, while allowing flexibility to respond to students’ interests
• Children are stimulated to ask and answer their own questions
• Parents are treated as partners in their child’s education through open and frequent communication
• Students are encouraged to share their knowledge and expertise with others 

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Benefits of A Multiage Classroom Setting

• The talents and needs of individual students are emphasized.
• It supports/promotes sequential, developmental learning.
• It provides an environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of students.
• Diversity is viewed by both the teacher and the students as a strength and is central in making the learning community effective.
• It provides a structure through which we can meet the needs of students in today’s information age society and supports what we know about how children learn best.
• It changes the way teachers view the learners and the curriculum.
• It promotes a recognition of diversity that necessitates appropriate actions and encourages the development of each child. Teachers become more child centered.
• Age alone does not determine the skill level of the child. A multiage setting provides a flexible enough program so that we can take each child at their level and move him/her forward.
• The opportunity to have a student in the class for more than one school year strengthens student/teacher/parent relationships and facilitates positive school experiences. Less time is lost at the beginning of the school year to establish relationships and learn classroom procedures.
• It makes it possible to equalize class loads and keep classes at an optimum size.
• A multiage setting provides frequent opportunities for development of student leadership. 

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Challenges To Overcome

• Developing community support for a change in organization
• Developing a team philosophy
• Providing adequate staff development
• Finding enough planning time
• Adapting district assessment measures to a multiage setting
• Providing adequate materials/resources, particularly for reading
• Providing adequate support staff
• Creating total school staff support for the multiage concept
• Training substitute teachers to work in a multiage classroom 

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Sites To Visit

Wildewood Elementary School
Ralston Public Schools
8071 Ralston Avenue, Ralston, NE 68127
(402) 33l-6475
Contact…Principal, Janice Heater

Edison Elementary School
Council Bluffs Community Schools
2218 3rd Avenue
Council Bluffs, IA 5l501
(712)-328-6516
Contact…Principal, Val Jensen

Anderson Grove Elementary School
Papillion-La Vista Public Schools
11820 S. 37th St.
Bellevue, NE 68123
(402) 291-5966
Contact…Principal, Connie Baxter

Karen Western Elementary School
Ralston Public Schools
6224 "H" Street
Omaha, NE 68117
(402) 731-7477
Contact…Principal, Jo Boardman

Crescent Elementary School
Council Bluffs Community Schools
Crescent, Iowa 51526
(712) 545-3697
Contact....Principal, Jerri Larson

Roosevelt Elementary School
Council Bluffs Community Schools
515 N. 17th Street
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501
(712) 328-6528
Contact…Principal, Terri McClure

Ackerman Elementary
Millard Public Schools
5110 S. 156th Street
Omaha, NE 68135-1008
(402) 895-8420
Contact…Principal, George Conrad 

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Helpful Resources

• The Primary Program: Growing and Learning in the Heartland. Nebraska Department of Education, Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Area Education Agencies, Head Start-State Collaboration Project.
• Together is Better by Anne Davies, Caren Cameron, Colleen Politano, Kathleen Gregory. Peguis Publishers. Winnipeg, Canada.
• Building Connections: Multiage and More by Colleen Politano and Anne Davies. Peguis. Winnipeg, Canada.
• Staying Focused on the Children, SDE Sourcebook, 7th Edition. The Society for Developmental Education. Ten Sharon Road, PO Box 577, Peterborough, NH 03458.
• Multiage Classrooms: The Ungrading of America’s Schools. The Multiage Resource Book. The Society for Developmental Education. (1-800-462-1478).
• Children at the Center by Bruce A. Miller. Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. Portland, Oregon.
• Creating the Child-centered Classroom by Susan Schwarz and Mindy Polishuke. Richard C. Owen Publishers, Katonah, NY.
• The Multi-Age Classroom: A Family of Learners by Wendy C. Kasten and Barbara K. Clarke.
• "Nongraded Primary Education" by Kathleen Cotton. School Improvement Research Series. NWREL.
• The Nongraded Primary: Making Schools Fit Children, American Associate for School Administrators. 

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Web Sites:

Russell Yates, a multiage teacher in Chimacum, Washington, has a great multiage page: http://www.wednet.edu.multiage/

For information on the rationale for multiage, its effectiveness and the overall research base, also see "Enhancing Learning Through Multiage Grouping" on NCREL’s Pathway to School Improvement site: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/instrctn/in500.htm

Committee Members:

• Janice Heater, Ralston Public Schools
• Jo Boardman, Ralston Public Schools
• Joan Hoag, Ralston Public Schools
• Jerri Larson, Council Bluffs Community Schools
• Heidi Sell, Ralston Public Schools
• Patty Pecoraro, Ralston Public Schools

This booklet prepared and published by:

The Metropolitan Omaha Educational Consortium (MOEC)

• Early Childhood Education Task Force
• Effective Elementary Practices Task Force
• Reading/Literacy Task Force

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MOEC Membership:

Bellevue Public Schools
Council Bluffs Community Schools
Millard Public Schools
Omaha Public Schools
Papillion-LaVista Public Schools
Ralston Public Schools
Westside Community Schools
College of Education, University of Nebraska at Omaha

MOEC Membership:

Bellevue Public Schools
Council Bluffs Community Schools
Millard Public Schools
Omaha Public Schools
Papillion-LaVista Public Schools
Ralston Public Schools
Westside Community Schools
College of Education, University of Nebraska at Omaha

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MOEC

Kayser Hall 208
University of Nebraska at Omaha
6001 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68182-0170
(402) 554-3530 • fax (402) 554-2879
http://www.unomaha.edu/coe/moec