1. Welcome to Multiage! Gail Davis 3/4/5

2. What is Multiage? In order to introduce Multiage classes, I took some FAQs and offer the following explanations.

3. What Multiage is… A structured classroom where units are planned around a project, usually inquiry based.

4. What Multiage is not… Unstructured. That type of emergent curriculum may be part of a free school. Multiage classrooms have carefully planned projects and activities.

5. What Multiage is… A classroom where students are high, medium and low. There may be a certain number who are special education students, there may be Assist students. There may be some behavior problems as well. It is a regular classroom in every respect.

6. What Multiage is not… A classroom of all high, highly motivated and self directed learners. Nor should it be overloaded with low, behavior disordered or special education students. A fair mix is necessary to allow students to be role models and have role models.

7. What Multiage is… A class configuration that is non- graded within the class. Students are taught according to their individual levels as much as possible.

8. What Multiage is not… A split. Teachers do not attempt to cover the curriculum of two or more grade levels. The curriculum is integrated.

9. What Multiage is… A classroom where there is a primary focus on teaching pro-social, or caring behaviors. The emphasis is on altruistic behaviors.

10. What Multiage is not… A classroom where the students are forced to conform to inappropriate developmental levels. In a multiage, teachers expect students’ work to look more or less mature depending upon their individual ability.

11. What Multiage is… A classroom that is held to the same amount of accountability as other classes. All district, state, and federal mandates are required.

12. What Multiage is not… A way to avoid the ITBS or WASL testing. The students will be tested at the same time as their peers.

13. What Multiage is… A classroom where teachers spend a lot of time planning around year-long themes.

14. What Multiage is not… A classroom where there is no planning. Planning is one of the most important parts of teaching multilevel classes.

15. What Multiage is… A classroom where teachers and students remain together for three years. That relationship changes yearly because the students are rotating from being the youngest, to the middle, to the oldest in the classroom. It gives them the opportunity to try out different behaviors.

16. What Multiage is not… A classroom where relationships are started over every year. Instead, relationships become important as teaching and modeling tools.

17. What Multiage is… A classroom where continuity in place and of people is important.

18. What Multiage is not… A classroom where relationships are started over every year. Instead, relationships become important as teaching and modeling tools.

19. We are proud of the multiage classes at NK Options. We work hard, and know that research supports our learning community. Gail Davis ~ Intermediate Multiage