Principles in Teaching Multigrade Classes children, there are more things that they
learn better when they are in groups
1. Children Are Unique searching for answers to their questions.
For example, children can learn to be a
No two children are alike. leader or a supportive follower, only if they
They may be of similar interests, needs have opportunities to work with and try out
and characteristics, but still they are these different roles as they work in a
different in many ways — physically, group project.
emotionally, socially, and even mentally. When children work in a group or even in
In a class of 30 with different age levels, pairs, they learn to listen to others, to
they will be reading at different speeds keep an open mind and consider other
and comprehension levels. opinions instead of being limited to their
They may have different personalities. own views.
Some may be introverts, others may be Mixed-aged grouping is an important
extroverts, some may be fast, and some asset in a multigrade classroom. Children
may be slow. who already have the necessary skills will
They may also have different likes and be better able to assist others who are
dislikes, interests and needs. They will only starting to learn.
have different life experiences and Children also learn the value of helping
feelings about themselves. one another not just in the learning
A multigrade teacher must be able to get process but also in daily life.
to know and understand each of the Then, they realize that there are others
children so she can prepare lessons that inside the classroom who can teach them
will respond to and reflect their individual other than the teacher.
needs.
She is responsible for planning the daily 4. The Role of Teacher in a Classroom
activities and keeping track of how each Involves Setting Up and Managing a
child is able to learn. Learning Environment
2. Children Learn Best from Experience The role of the teacher does not limit to
teaching and sharing learning experiences
Although reading books, materials, with the students only. They play a variety
memorizing facts, and doing some paper- of roles inside the classroom.
pencil tests is one of the important things One of these is to tone the classroom
in learning development. atmosphere and environment conducive
Still, it is not enough to provide learning to the child's learning process, keep the
experiences to the child. class in control, manage each child's
To stimulate their senses, students should behavior, and make sure that they will
explore their environment, experience learn and enjoy the class.
doing activities by their own hands, and Everything involved in the teaching-
interact with people. learning process makes up the learning
environment.
3. Children Can and Do Learn Well From It includes the curriculum, the instructional
One Another materials, the children, the teacher, and
the parents.
Children learn well and better when they
are together. While it is true that there are
things that adults need to teach the
5. The Implementation of the School 7. Inter-aging or the Combination of
Curriculum Must Take into Consideration Children of Different Ages is More
the Varied Abilities, Levels, and Interests Respectful of the Individual Needs of
within a Particular Group Learners and Reflects Real-Life
The implementation of the school Inside a multigrade classroom, students
curriculum must take into consideration have different age gaps and grade levels.
the varied abilities, levels, and interests Each of them has a unique learning style.
within a particular group. Each of them is capable as long as they
Each of the students has different and are given the right to be educated and
individual needs. The school should make meet their needs.
sure that their individual needs, interests, The advantage of being in a
and those culturally diverse should be heterogeneous group like a multigrade
considered. class is that children who have certain
Learning competences, budget of work, strengths and weaknesses can be helped
lesson plans provide the sense of rather than be punished for their
direction for the teachers. weakness, and their strengths built-on
The teacher has to adjust them to the rather than wasted.
needs and interests of the children, and to
their capabilities and learning styles too. Principles in Teaching Multigrade Classes
It is up to the teacher to tailor the
curriculum to the specific group of children The advantage of being in a
that he/she is working with for the year. heterogenous group like a multigrade class is
that children who have certain strengths and
6. The Value of Any Educational Program weaknesses can be helped rather than be
Will Be Judged According to How Well It punished for their weakness, and their
Can Achieve the Goals of the Program strengths built-on rather than wasted.
The school, the parent, and the teacher
should work together to help the child
learn in and outside of the classroom.
Whether the child learns what the
program expects depends on how well
each of those will work together.
The way that the school and classroom is
organized in order to achieve those goals
makes a great difference.
The advantages of grouping children of
different ages within one classroom
should be maximized to increase the
chances of effective learning and enhance
the quality of the classroom as a learning
environment.
