The Moretown School supports Multi Age classrooms
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 multi age classrooms that in traditional classrooms (Anderson & Pavan, 1993). If they don’t do better, than 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 multi age 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 multi age students out-performing single-grade students in over 75 percent of the measures used.”
Multi age 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 multi age children consistently like school more. Multi age 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. 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. 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, literacy, social studies, personalized learning projects and our very popular math baseball challenge. 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 UPDATE
May 2017
June 7
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Moretown BBQ and Annual Music Concert
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June 13
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Annual Field Day Celebration
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June 15
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Moretown Graduation
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June 16
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Final Day of school for students - Half Day -
Bus Departure Times:
Moretown Busses Depart the School at 12:15
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NOTICE: The New Playground Area is under construction. Due to the recent wet weather, its completion has been delayed by a few days. We will inform the community when the playground is ready for use. Thanks for your continued patience.
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.
Warren Fire Department Annual Fishing Derby, June 4th, Noon - 3:00, meet at Warren Village Fire Station, kids 14 & under; trophies and snacks will follow Fishing Derby at 3:00. There will also be a Community Thank You barbecue from 3:00 - 5:00 following the Fishing Derby to thank the community for their support in purchasing our new fire truck. Come and see the truck. Questions: Call Nick Morehouse 557-5240.
Mad River Rippers The Mad River Riders are sponsoring a mountain bike program for kids this summer. It starts May 30 and runs through September 26. Rides are every Tuesday from 5 to 7 PM at the Blueberry Lake trail network in Warren. It’s recommended for kids from ages 6 to 13. The cost is minimal - $50 for the season and free to Vermont Mountain Bike Association members. Scholarships are available. Attendance at 8 or more sessions earns a free Rippers t-shirt. In addition to the Blueberry Lake rides, we’re offering 7 advanced rides around the Valley for older kids. Go tohttp://www.madriverriders.com/press-release or emailbob@madriverriders.com for more information.
“Change Your Weather" Workshop”with guest Lou Bevacqui, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7th, 4-5:30, Joslin Memorial Library, for children grades K-4 and their parents/caretakers. Join local author, father, coach, acupuncturist Lou Bevacqui as he introduces his newly published book, “Changing Your Weather,” and previews a series of free summer programs for children based on the book’s concepts. How can children identify and use the information that their emotions provide when making decisions, instead of emotions consuming all their energy and mental resources allowing those emotions to make their decisions (and reactions) for them? How can they build their self-awareness and develop internal tools that make it possible for them to choose the way they want to feel? In this introductory workshop, Lou will share his new book and introduce the ideas that will be explored more fully in free weekly workshops in July. July workshops will feature interactive art activities, outdoor activities, discussion, and exploration of the senses, with take-home tools and artwork.
PH International (www.ph-int.org ) is seeking host families for university students from Russia ages 18-20 interested in environmental sustainability. These students will be visiting Vermont through PH International’s Russian Youth Environmental (RYEP) Program. Youth participants will be placed in homestays during their time in Vermont to learn about American culture and family life. Host families are asked to provide a comfortable and clean place to sleep, breakfast and dinner, minimal transportation to centralized pick-up and drop-off locations and some weekend activities. We are currently recruiting interested host families for July 6-17th and/or August 15-25th or a portion of the participant’s stay during these dates.
To find out more about hosting opportunities in July or August, please contact Renee Berrian or Ivan Tabanin at (802) 496-4545 or email atrenee.berrian@ph-int.org / ivan.tabanin@ph-int.org.
Stowe and Mad River Dance Academy present Mary Poppins and an evening of dance, June 2 and 3(many valley students in this show), 6:00pm, and June 4, at 1:00pm, at Dibden Center, Johnson State College. Admission is $20 adults and $16 Children. Tickets are available at Stowe Dance Academy,177 South Main Street in Stowe, or by calling 802-253-5151.
USA LUGE Slider Search: Try out for the USA Luge Team, Burlington, June 17 & 18, 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm each day. Choose the one clinic you would like to attend at the Champlain Valley Exposition, in Essex Junction. For boys and girls ages 9-13. No experience is necessary and it is free. To register or for more information: visit www.teamusa.org/usa-luge/slider-search.
