split grades?

[robin]

Hi there, I am looking for teachers input on split grades. advantages? challenges? thoughts in general. I'm a university student in Canada and am looking for input for some insight into an essay topic. i was as tudent in a 4,5,6 grades class for one year but i'd like feedback from the teacher perspective. Can anyone comment? Thanks very much in advance!!!!!
signed - a grateful University student, Robin

[Sue Mc]

If you did receive any response to your request for information on slit grades I'd love to see it. My children, in my opinion, have suffered over the years from split grades (not due to the teachers but due to the system). Please respond to suerob.mcdonald@sympatico.ca

[did you get any replies??]

<font face="Verdana, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by robin:
Hi there, I am looking for teachers input on split grades. advantages? challenges? thoughts in general. I'm a university student in Canada and am looking for input for some insight into an essay topic. i was as tudent in a 4,5,6 grades class for one year but i'd like feedback from the teacher perspective. Can anyone comment? Thanks very much in advance!!!!!
signed - a grateful University student, Robin</font>

[Pam]

My first year teaching, I had a 1/2 combo. It was very difficult. My students were supposed to be high 1st and low 2nd, but I ended up with everything from low 1st to high 2nd. Teaching two different curricula was almost impossible to manage, especially for my first year. My 2nd year teaching I had a 2/3 combo. It was terrifc. I had high 14 high 2nd graders and 4 low 3rd graders. I ended up with 2 2nd graders that were lower but manageable. I was able to teach just the 2nd grade curriculum. My 3rd graders have moved on to 4th and are not as far behind as you'd think. It really depends on the level of the students as to how successful a combination class can be.

[Deb]

I will be teaching a 1-2 split this coming year. I have taught gr 2 for 4 years and kind. for 3 years. I have zero experience with a split classroom. Can you give me a few pointers? How do I arrange the students (our school uses tables)? Do I group them by grade or mixed grades at tables? How did you find time to teach two curriculums in one day? Any tips or positive thoughts would be appreciated.

[Rachel]

Teaching combined grades is definitely hardest on your schedule, but I see a lot of advantages. I've only taught multiple grade classes because our school is small. You combine what you can to ease up on rushing through things. The students learn to be independent when you're working with another class. It takes a little getting used to if they haven't been in a class like that before, but I think it is good for them. As far as how you group them, I have done it either way, mixed or in grades. I find it easier to have the grades together, but I change it once in a while to give us some variety.
My biggest regret is definitely that I always wish I had more time - but then I also have my students several years in a row, which I find to be a great advantage. You can pick up at the beginning where you left off the year before, and you can reinforce what you know they have already done. Students pick up on what they see the older students doing and older students hear the review when the younger ones are being taught. You also have flexibility in placing students in the classes where they need to be, without ever sending them out of the classroom. I hope your year is going well and I can help you in some way.