Moretown School Update September 2, 2016

6th graders ready for the final year at Moretown!  

The Moretown School supports  multiage classrooms in grades 1-2 and in grades 3-4 and 5-6.  

(To help understand our multi-age classroom approach at the Moretown School we found this article by Jean Eisle to be a great resource for families) 

What is a Multiage Classroom? by Dr. Jean Eisele. 

(Dr. Eisele's work includes teaching curriculum design, child development, contexts of schooling, culminating portfolios, and reflective seminar courses in the Teacher Certification and Master of Education programs. She also supervises student teachers in the field. As consultant to schools and preschools she has provided numerous workshops in Washington and Vermont. She is a researcher and lecturer at the University of Washington, Bothell.) 

Multiage classrooms are composed of students who are more than one year apart. Students remain with the same teacher for more than one year. Multiage classrooms are made up of a mix of abilities and ages. Students are not grouped based solely on academic performance. Multiage classrooms reflect the natural groupings found in our neighborhoods, communities and in the world, and provide opportunities for the exchange of ideas, modeling of behaviors, practice of responsibility and nurturance, and development of leadership and social skills.

Several principles and practices are foundational to multiage classrooms:

• Teacher is the facilitator of learning (rather than the keeper of knowledge)
• Developmentally appropriate, child centered, continuous learning
• Integrated Curriculum
• Attention to the education of the whole child

Will my child benefit from a multiage experience?

Research strongly suggests that children benefit in many ways from multiage classrooms (Miller 1990). Academically, children usually do better in multiage classrooms that in traditional classrooms (Anderson & Pavan, 1993). If they don’t do better, then they do the same. Multiage classrooms clearly do not negatively affect academic achievement (Miller, 1990). After reviewing twenty-one quantitative studies comparing the effects of multiage classrooms with single grade classrooms, Miller (1990, 6) notes, “In terms of academic achievement, the data clearly support the multigrade classroom as a viable and equally effective organizational alternative to single-grade instruction.”

In addition, the benefits for children, socially and emotionally, are consistently higher for multiage classrooms. The affective domain is greatly impacted by multiage classrooms. From his review of the research, Miller (1990, 7) notes, “When it comes to student affect, the case for multigrade organization appears much stronger, with multigrade students out-performing single-grade students in over 75 percent of the measures used.”

Multiage children often have a greater sense of belonging (Sherman, 1984) and more positive social relationships. Anderson and Pavan’s (1993) review of research from 1977-1990 found that multiage children consistently like school more. Multiage children have more positive attitudes towards school than same-age children. The attendance rate in multiage classrooms is also significantly better than in same-age classrooms.

Grades 1-2

In the first and second grade classrooms both Karen Cingiser and Pam Dow will be teaching multi-age first and second grades rather than straight first and second grades. Keep in mind that as has always been done, much of first and second graders day will be spent together as one large group (recess, lunch, snack, etc.).  Due to the nature of the math curriculum, Karen will teach all second grade math and Pam will teach all first grade math.  

Grade 3-4

In the third and fourth grade classrooms both Deb Fadden and Patty Riccardi will be teaching multi-age within the areas of literacy (six weeks of instruction based on narratives), science and social studies. Keep in mind that as has always been done, much of third and fourth graders day will be spent together as one large group (recess, lunch, snack, etc.).  Due to the nature of our math curriculum students will be taught within specific grade levels.  

Grades 5-6

In the fifth and sixth grade classrooms both Terry Hopper and Diana Puffer will support multi-age approaches in the areas of science, social studies, personalized learning projects and our very popular math baseball challenge.    Keep in mind that as has always been done, much of fifth and sixth graders day will be spent together as one large group (recess, lunch, snack, etc.). Due to the nature of our math curriculum students will be taught within specific grade levels.

Please contact dpierson@wwsu.org if you have any questions about our classroom configuration.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CALENDAR UPDATE

2016

September 7	PTN meeting 6:30 Multi-Purpose Room
September 29	Open House/6th Grade Pasta Dinner (Pasta Dinner begins at 5:00 - Open House begins at 5:30) more information coming soon
October 4	Picture Day (more information coming soon)
October 5	Walk to School Day
October 6	Moretown School Board Meeting 6pm School Library

Community Announcements Please note that the opportunities/events listed below are not specifically endorsed or screened by school staff; as always, families should use their own standards and review processes to determine appropriate activities. Yurt Building is a 6 week program, meeting once a week from September 15 - October 20, 2016 Join the Sculpture School's maker and mentor extraordinaire Eddie Merma to use power tools, recycled windows and salvaged wood to build a yurt onsite at Pony Farm in Moretown, Vermont. This yurt will be used for years to come as an outdoor meeting and play space. Visit http://www.sculptureschoolvt.com/yurt-building to register and learn more about the program. Bus 20 will also make a stop at Pony Farm after school if needed. When: Thursdays 3:00pm - 6:00pm, September 15, 22, 29, October 6, 13, 20  Who: Ages 8-12, capacity 6-8 students Tuition: $275 Location: 182 Pony Farm Rd, Moretown, Vermont

4-H      4-H clubs typically focus on anywhere from 1 to 5 projects dependent on mentors who are interested in leading activities to help youth explore the various topics. Examples of club projects include gardening, robotics, cooking, or livestock based projects. For more information, contact Allison Smith, 4-H Educator for Orange & Washington Counties at 802-476-2003 or Allison.smith.2@uvm.edu .

September Clay Classes with Leslie Montalto.  3 - 5 p.m., 4 classes for $130.
Mondays Sept 12, 19, 26 and Oct 3rd
Tuesdays Sept 13, 20, 27 and Oct 4
Wednesdays Sept 14, 21, 28 and Oct 5
All supplies included. vtclaymobile@hotmail.com or 496-6948.

Rocket-Into-Scouting!  The Cub Scouting program for boys from kindergarten through fifth grade is all about leadership skills and an appreciation for the environment.  In addition, it’s cool and fun!  Come find out what it’s about at our Rocket into Scouting night at Waitsfield Elementary School, September 7 at 5:00-6:00. Just stop by the canopy and tent with your son so he can shoot rockets and play games while parents can pick up the information and calendar of all the family opportunities throughout the school year. We will be kicking off the new program year with family camping on September 24-25.For more information on the program in the Mad River Valley visit our website at https://cubpack798.org/, like us on Facebook or call AnnMarie at 371-9997.

Dance Classes     Mad River Dance Academy, Classes begin Tuesday September 6th. Join us for Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop & Lyrical! Info & registration at www.madriverdance.com.

TRY OUT FOR THE USA LUGE TEAM      Boys and girls ages 9-13 are invited to try out for the USA Luge Team. Try outs will be held September 10th, 9am-12pm and2pm-5pm, and Sunday September 11th, 1pm-4pm, at the Champlain Valley Exposition Center.   No experience necessary and it is free!  For more information call 800 USA-LUGE ext. 105.

PreK-Kindergarten Soccer      Registration is still open for the PreK-Kindergarten soccer program.  The program will meet on Saturdays ,September 10th - October 22nd, 9:00-10:00,at the Waitsfield School. You may come to the first practice to register.  For more information contact Dan Sullivan at sully@romesnowboards.com

46th Annual Mad River Valley Craft Fair   Labor Day weekend, Sat. & Sun., Sept, 3 & 4, 10 am - 5 pm. Rain or shine Kenyon's Field Route 100, Waitsfield. One hundred juried artists, four bands, door prizes, delicious food court and a free bounce house for kids! Browse handmade items from practical to whimsical and meet the artists. RELAX in our Man Cave: cocktails & ping-pong (all adults welcome)!  http://www.madrivercraftfair.com, benefits the Valley Players, a non-profit community theater. A great family day!