MULTI-GRADE CLASS Amee T. Arong

What is Multi-grade Classes? A multi-grade classroom refers to the class that has two or more grade level of children in one classroom. Multi-grade classes also called A Multi-Age Group. Multi-age is term commonly used today to describe mixed-age groups. The meaning of multi-age is “Use multi-age to mean two or more grade levels that have been intentionally blended together to improve learning”. Amee T. Arong

What is Multi-grade Classes? Multi-age grouping may be implemented for institutional or pedadogical reasons by the administrative of the school, but the outcome is that students are able to interact across age groups and have long-term relationships with other students and teachers. In a multi-age middle school program students from more than one grade level learn side by side. The oldest students eventually move on and are replaced by a new group of younger students each year. Amee T. Arong

Why Multi-grade Class exist? Multi-grade classes were organized as a matter of necessities for remote barangays where the number of children enrolled could not meet the required number to organize a single grade class and assign the necessary teacher from each class. Distance of the barrio and the small number of students for each class. Shortage of funds teachers and school buildings. Amee T. Arong

Roles of Teacher in Multi-Grade Class As a teacher As a facilitator As a planner As an evaluator As a material designer As an action researcher As contact with the community Amee T. Arong

Advantages and Challenges of Multi-grade Teaching Amee T. Arong

Advantages for Learners Maximum social interaction between peers. Cooperative learning is predominant. Will learn to be independent, self-directed learners and can learn to be more resourceful. Prepared for a real life. Can learn to assume leading and supporting role as needed in different work situations. Amee T. Arong

Advantages for Learners Stigma associated with failure an reception is removed. Girls who are expected to stay home will have more chances to go to school since schools are located within the community. Students can attain higher achievement levels especially in math, science and language. Amee T. Arong

Challenges for Learners Requires more discipline, greater concentration and more focus in order to benefit from effective strategies. Less reliance on direct supervision by teacher. Requires more initiative and resourceful to function effectively. May receive less individual attention from a less experienced teacher. Amee T. Arong

Advantages for Teachers Can make the most of inter-age, multilevel situation to facilitate learning process. Can get to know students more and carefully asses their needs and adopt appropriate teaching strategies. Can innovate and experiment with different age groups and deal with curriculum content across subject areas. Amee T. Arong

Advantages for Teachers Shares responsibility for facilitating learning with pupils, parents, other community members. More opportunities for activity centred, experienced- based approaches rather than whole group, lecture/drill/rote methods of teaching. Amee T. Arong

Challenges for Teachers Requires more preparation of curriculum learning materials. Requires more careful study of learner’s developmental characteristics across the age levels involved in the class, approaches and strategies that are effective and variable within a multi-grade class. More investment in organization of the classroom as learning environment. Amee T. Arong

Challenges for Teachers More meticulous and systematic record keeping to keep track of student progress, curriculum development and implementation is required. Amee T. Arong

Advantages for Community and School System Efficient means of providing educational services to thinly populated areas and remote communities. Efficient means of using limited educational resources. Maintaining small barrio schools help to build and sustain the identity of the community and the cultural life of the people in community. Amee T. Arong

Challenges for COMMUNITY and SCHOOL SYSTEM Students achievement maybe poor in programs do not have the required resources and teachers are not properly trained. Requires investment in training of teachers, supervisors and administrative personnel to prepare them for the demands of multi-grade teaching and administration of multi-grade schools. Amee T. Arong

Basic Principles Children are unique. Children can learn from experience. Children can do learn well from one another . The role of teacher. The implementation of the curriculum must consider the varied abilities, levels and interests within particular group. The evaluation of educational program. Inter-aging or the combination of children of different ages is more respectful of individual needs of learners and reflects real life. Amee T. Arong