Comments on: Platitudes and Baby Steps

By: Bill Genereux

Bill Genereux — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:33:51 +0000

I wonder why our rural schools cannot return to the multi-age classroom model as described by Ira? These were common in Kansas not even a half century ago. Somehow we have the idea that grouping students according to age is best, when it might instead be better to group according to interests.

Keep up the good work you are doing, and don’t be swayed by any critics.

By: Ira Socol

Ira Socol — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:07:42 +0000

When my son was in Fifth Grade, his elementary school decided to create an 11-period day for that grade in order to meet all the scheduling desires of the 3 teachers. Every 30 minutes the kids were banging through the corridors, and they never got comfortable throughout the day. After 3 weeks I pulled him out when I discovered a multi-age classroom in a nearby district.

A couple of months later I volunteered to help drive my son’s class (110 students, 5 teachers, grades 1-5) to sing Christmas Carols at a nursing home. When we got back to the school I watched as other parent drivers simply let the kids out and watched them run into the school. Because at my son’s previous school any unsupervised moment turned into a fight, I cautiously followed my group in. No teachers were back yet but every student ran in and went to something that interested them, whether it was toys, books, science stuff, the computers, whatever. There were no problems and the kids were delighted to be in the school.

One place was an adult centered school, it looked under control for the kids it was absolute chaos. They were miserable. The other was a kid centered place. It looked like chaos but it was anything but. The kids were literally thrilled to be there.

And it wasn’t just my observation of happier students. The kids in that multi-age classroom did better than any other kids in the county on standardized tests, though there was absolutely no “teaching to the test” and tests themselves were almost non-existent in their daily classroom activities.

In the end we can either teach compliance or we can teach the love of learning. I guess it depends what kind of society we desire.

By: Jane Stapf

Jane Stapf — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 18:11:09 +0000

Applause!!! I think that what you have said should resonate throughout those too quiet hallways! It is learning at it’s best! Kids excited, engaged, and excelling! Good for you!

By: Scott Shelhart

Scott Shelhart — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:01:40 +0000

I have worked as a sub in similar classrooms. I must admit, the first few times I did not appreciate the learning that was taking place. I had been trained to believe that chairs in rows and quiet students were the keys to a successful classroom.

As I progress through my education degree, I am learning that the classroom model I experienced 30 years ago as a student is not always the best option. The controlled chaos of project based learning is an acquired taste. Some teaches never develop a palette for it; but those that do are able to deliver a rich and engaging classroom experience.

Do not let a sub’s narrow vision of classroom management hobble your creativity. Help the novice learn the joys of a different mode of instruction. The sub will thank you later.