Should All Schools Return to Mixed-Age Grouping?
In the early days of schooling, children would often pile into a one-room school house. These kids were not sorted into different classrooms based on age or grade level. Everyone learned together and kids excelled based on their individual abilities. But then, things changed for many schools and the most common model involved sorting classrooms into grade levels. Should all schools go back to mixing age groups?
What is mixed age grouping?
Mixed-age grouping (also called multi-age learning) is the act of placing children at different age and grade levels in the same classroom together. Think back to the days of the one-room schoolhouse. While kids were in various grade levels, they all were in the classroom with the same teacher or set of teachers. Anytime children of multiple skill levels are in the classroom together, it is referred to as mixed-age grouping.
Benefits to mixing age groups in school
Studies have shown that mixed-age grouping teaches kids independence as well as teamwork. When kids of varying levels are placed in the same space, many will naturally work harder to achieve the next level. They also learn to work together with all people, not just their peers. In our homeschool, the kids all learn together, even though each of them is at a different level. That experience combined with research has convinced me that all schools should go back to mixed-age grouping.
Who uses mixed-age methods?
Most schools use it on a smaller scale. But Montessori schools, open schools, private schools, homeschoolers, and many others implement multi-aged learning for the full school day. Some schools have older students read to younger students during a small portion of the day. Other schools may have the children work together all day long, regardless of the difference in skill levels. In a homeschool, if there is more than one child, mixed-age grouping often comes naturally. Some homeschoolers teach the kids as a group, while others separate the learning.
Should all schools go back to multi-age learning?
Based on my family's experience, as well as extensive research I've done over the years, I would fully support implementation of multi-age learning in all schools. In my experience, there really haven't been disadvantages where the kids are concerned. It can sometimes be more challenging for the educator to teach kids of various levels. But with practice and the correct planning, for me it eventually evened out with teaching kids who were not on the same level. The main issue that would come with converting all schools to this method is the change in the way the curriculum is handled. That in itself may be a hurdle for some schools. But in my opinion, it would be well worth the change.
What do you think? Should all schools go back to mixed-age grouping?
More from Lyn:
Homeschool Methods: Mixed-Age Grouping FAQ
Homeschool Tips: Can 'Free' Schooling or Unschooling Help My Child Succeed in Life?
Should You Change the Way Your Child is Educated Next Year?
*This article was originally published by Lyn Lomasi at LifeSucessfully.com
What is mixed age grouping?
Mixed-age grouping (also called multi-age learning) is the act of placing children at different age and grade levels in the same classroom together. Think back to the days of the one-room schoolhouse. While kids were in various grade levels, they all were in the classroom with the same teacher or set of teachers. Anytime children of multiple skill levels are in the classroom together, it is referred to as mixed-age grouping.
Benefits to mixing age groups in school
Studies have shown that mixed-age grouping teaches kids independence as well as teamwork. When kids of varying levels are placed in the same space, many will naturally work harder to achieve the next level. They also learn to work together with all people, not just their peers. In our homeschool, the kids all learn together, even though each of them is at a different level. That experience combined with research has convinced me that all schools should go back to mixed-age grouping.
Who uses mixed-age methods?
Most schools use it on a smaller scale. But Montessori schools, open schools, private schools, homeschoolers, and many others implement multi-aged learning for the full school day. Some schools have older students read to younger students during a small portion of the day. Other schools may have the children work together all day long, regardless of the difference in skill levels. In a homeschool, if there is more than one child, mixed-age grouping often comes naturally. Some homeschoolers teach the kids as a group, while others separate the learning.
Should all schools go back to multi-age learning?
Based on my family's experience, as well as extensive research I've done over the years, I would fully support implementation of multi-age learning in all schools. In my experience, there really haven't been disadvantages where the kids are concerned. It can sometimes be more challenging for the educator to teach kids of various levels. But with practice and the correct planning, for me it eventually evened out with teaching kids who were not on the same level. The main issue that would come with converting all schools to this method is the change in the way the curriculum is handled. That in itself may be a hurdle for some schools. But in my opinion, it would be well worth the change.
What do you think? Should all schools go back to mixed-age grouping?
More from Lyn:
Homeschool Methods: Mixed-Age Grouping FAQ
Homeschool Tips: Can 'Free' Schooling or Unschooling Help My Child Succeed in Life?
Should You Change the Way Your Child is Educated Next Year?
*This article was originally published by Lyn Lomasi at LifeSucessfully.com
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7 Comments
Post a CommentThis is an interesting idea, however, you know the public school will never agree due to cost factors and other reasons.
In my community and several others there are some high schoolers volunteering at middle and elementary schools to help out. Results: what they found out is that the high schoolers by helping younger students improve in certain areas also helped the high schoolers to improve in those areas as well through teaching. These results have many parents excited in their high school children's report cards.
I think this is a good idea. In fact, Dr. Mel Levine who is the author of 'A Mind at a Time', started a school as you described in Arizona. He had great sucess with it as well. I think children would adjust well to this. I'm not as certain as the parents as we have been brainwashed into believing so many things that just aren't exactly kosher.
I'm concerned that it wouldn't work nowadays because too many of today's kids are just too problemental and have an attitude. I'm sure some hip-hoppers, for example, would be sweet to little kids, but others would never "lower" themselves to help them because it would ruin their supposedly-cool reputations. And believe me I'm not talking about racial differences, because there are great vs. attitudinal one in all races. And another concern is for the gifted kids who would be held behind in a generalized classroom, instead of being able to get ahead. But I definitely think it would be helpful for slower learners and those who are learning the English language.
No I do not think they need to go back to multi grouping, because of this new time and age. Children need to be with their own age groups because of the maturity level. Multi- grouping originally occurred I believe because all the various classrooms were not available and that was the best that could be done at the time. I think homeschooling is different and might me possible as you are dealing with a family of children and not an entire school of different children.
I like this article, I think it might not be too bad doing this within a few years age difference.
I think mixed age grouping is a great idea. My 3 and 5 year old take most lessons together and my 10 and 12 year old take most lessons together. There are some activities that all 4 can do together. The only objection to this in public schools is the maturity level differences. Mixed classes would need to be smaller and not too far apart- like elementary and high schoolers mixed. But I agree with all the points you've made and I think it makes for great learning opportunities.
I think for the teachers sake, age groups have to be separated. Home scholling is entirely.