All Ages Welcome

 5 Strategies for Multi-Age Classrooms

As a new teacher with a multi-age and grade classroom I am leaning into these 5 strategies as they have been working really well for myself and most importantly, my students.

1) I have been using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) since day one. I incorporate UDL into each lesson by creating an access point for all my students, experiential learning opportunities, and a spiralling curriculum. 

2) Each day we focus on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) by completing a morning check in and doing partner work to emphasis the importance of collaboration. Each week the grade 7 students pair off with the grade 6 students and these partners exchange ideas and share what they have learned or still need help with. These relationships are helping shape our classroom community as a safe space.

3) Each day we practice self care by allowing time for reflective writing or drawing. This time each morning allows space for each student to practice mindfulness. Once per week we go outside with the explicit purpose of mindfulness and students do a sit-spot in the park near our school. These activities help to ground the students in themselves and in their learning

4) As a new educator I love to collaborate with my teacher friends whether they are at the same school with me or if it's all the teacher friends I made during WKTEP. This collaboration helps push me forwards and is an incredible resource for my students and myself.

5) As an educator I always try my best to approach my work humbly and with the desire to learn FROM and WITH my students. This type of collaboration is life giving and often leads to great discussions and growth for everyone involved. We can be a multi-age classroom with all those present in the room.