That was a great article you came across- I have NEVER been a fan of split classes (I was just in one- a grade 5/6), and I feel that even though students do not suffer academically, it is much more difficult to adjust to a clasroom with 2 grades. I cant imagine how northern regions deal with having THREE grades in one class- that's just surreal.
I think its interesting that they want to extend the Teacher Education program to 2 years- the fact that 21% of new teachers are put into split grades is really an eye-opener, and I know some of our colleagues (such as Ashley in her grade 4/5 split) can probably attest to the fact that it is a bit challenging to merge 2 different curriculums. I was shocked to read about the "lopsided classrooms" where only a tiny number of students come from one grade- I do not think thats acceptable at all!c
I COMPLETELY agree with that article. I'm in a 4/5 split right now. My principal actually teaches the grade five science (human organ systems) because there's no way that habitats could be meshed with human organ systems. It's very frustrating on the teacher's part.
I'm teaching both grades in math right now. I feel like both grades are missing out on a solid foundation of skills because during some lessons I have to teach each grade separately. Therefore I only spend half an hour with each grade instead of the full hour.
Not only are the curriculum expectations different between grade 4 and grade 5, but the maturity level of the students are extremely different. I spend my time disciplining the grade fours while the grade fives are more mature to handle independent work. It's amazing to see the contrast.
All I want to say is that I'm not a fan of split classes. Even though some of the curriculum can be integrated together, for those sections that it can't, it's double the work for the teacher. NOT COOL.
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2 comments:
Miss C,
That was a great article you came across- I have NEVER been a fan of split classes (I was just in one- a grade 5/6), and I feel that even though students do not suffer academically, it is much more difficult to adjust to a clasroom with 2 grades. I cant imagine how northern regions deal with having THREE grades in one class- that's just surreal.
I think its interesting that they want to extend the Teacher Education program to 2 years- the fact that 21% of new teachers are put into split grades is really an eye-opener, and I know some of our colleagues (such as Ashley in her grade 4/5 split) can probably attest to the fact that it is a bit challenging to merge 2 different curriculums. I was shocked to read about the "lopsided classrooms" where only a tiny number of students come from one grade- I do not think thats acceptable at all!c
What an eyeopener!
Thanks Heather, for posting this article!
I COMPLETELY agree with that article. I'm in a 4/5 split right now. My principal actually teaches the grade five science (human organ systems) because there's no way that habitats could be meshed with human organ systems. It's very frustrating on the teacher's part.
I'm teaching both grades in math right now. I feel like both grades are missing out on a solid foundation of skills because during some lessons I have to teach each grade separately. Therefore I only spend half an hour with each grade instead of the full hour.
Not only are the curriculum expectations different between grade 4 and grade 5, but the maturity level of the students are extremely different. I spend my time disciplining the grade fours while the grade fives are more mature to handle independent work. It's amazing to see the contrast.
All I want to say is that I'm not a fan of split classes. Even though some of the curriculum can be integrated together, for those sections that it can't, it's double the work for the teacher. NOT COOL.
Thanks for showing us that article!
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