Interesting! Yes, we do technically teach in a multiage classroom. We have such a diverse group of learners. “Learning to read or reading to learn”....I like that quote. I had a parent who was concerned that her child “wasn’t learning” in grade one because she already knew how to read. I explained that now she is reading to build comprehension skills, increase vocabulary, learn information, etc....that’s why we read! Anyway, thanks for the tips.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful video. I enjoy watching all your teacher videos. I am a high school special Ed student in Vermont. I am visually impaired and Blind and I have to use a Cane wherever I go. It helps me not to run into anything and helps me get around my school and outside of school.
I’ve always taught multiage in special Education self contained classroom & when I homeschooled. This will be my first year teaching a general education multiage classroom (K-2) in a private school. 8-10 kids, I’m so excited 😆
I teach in a public Montessori school where all of the groupings are multiage. There are challenges but there are so many benefits, too. I am interested in seeing more in this video series. Thank you for the encouragement in this unique area of education. 😊
Bridgette this was very well organized and presented! I'm sure that this will help lots of educators out there and definitely start some great conversations.
So for the record, I hit the thumbs up before I watch any of your videos. 🤷🏻♀️ I am never disappointed! 😘😘 Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re stronger than you know! Have an awesome spring break!
How does standardize tests work? If you have a student in fifth grade working on a fourth grade level, how do they get the content information they need to be successful on an end-of-the-year assessment?
Maybe they don’t do standardize testing. Also what makes you think that the kid in 5th grade will be working at a fourth grade level? Even in mix age classroom, 5th graders will be learning 5th grade stuff. Where did you get the idea that they will learn 4th grade despite being in fifth grade?
Such a stupid statement. I never been in a MAC, but it is dumb to assume that 5th graders will be learning the same thing as 4th graders. I doubt that happens in one or in most.
This is so interesting to me. This whole MAC concept is so old for me. In my country schools used this system more than a 100yrs ago and even some rural schools now use this these days. But eventually all the schools evolved to the grade to grade system because it was considered more efficient I guess. It's interesting to hear this from a perspective of a more advanced country. Liked it
I would love to learn more about multiage classrooms and to observe them in action. As a student teacher something I am always looking for during rotations is what type of school is going to be best for me. Multiage, inquiry/concept-based, IB schools, etc. All interesting formats to consider when applying for that first teaching job!
Hi Bridget, I am really looking forward to my team’s onsite visit in May to learn more about the MAC team. How are lunch, specials, and field trips handled? Does it go by grade level or is your team treated like it’s own grade level? Thank you for any and all insight.
The Lettered Classroom We (my principal, instructional coach, third grade teacher, fourth grade teacher, and me (fifth grade teacher) are scheduled to do a site visit at your school on May 7th.
Heather Schwartzmiller that is awesome! 6th grade has a separate lunch from 4th and fifth. But our lunch recess is combined so when 4th & 5th are eating 6th is at recess and vice verse. Specials is the same with6th separate from 4th and 5th and field trips, we all go together. We are on a 3 year cycle for field trips and this year was Gettysburg! Excited to meet you!
Thank you for giving really detailed answers to these questions. Sorry if I did not get this part but is the MAC only for children with EAL (English as additional language) or a mix ability of children across the year groups? In England we do things quite differently. But I really interested in this and would like to implement it into our school but need more hard evidence that it benefits children and their overall grades. I love the fact it prepares children for the outside world and gives them hands on experience and a more meaningful learning journey.
Shazana Ali - Hussain we have a mixture of learners in are class. From demographics, to special needs. We also have a number of gifted learners as well.
The Lettered Classroom thank you for response. Wow the amount of time and effort you put into this learning is amazing. I honestly admire your commitment.
Since next year is yr 3rd year, are u looking at test results of that initial group and comparing them to scores of students from regular classes? I'm just curious if the scores were comparable or did yr mac students score better?
Hello from Argentina. It is a great class. Do you have the idea to create this Mac class or your school suggested it? Congrats. Happy teaching. Miriam from Argentina.
aglaurendance let me ask... how different is it for those kids who get pulled through a curriculum never really being successful at anything they do? It’s not any different. When we think about classes we have about 80% of our learners are right where they need to be. 10% are lower and need support. 10% are higher but what I’ve found is those high kids are just given enrichment instead of considering to move them through the curriculum because they are “5th grade (etc)” and plus, kids should not be classified based on a test that is given once a year. Plain and simple. Thanks for asking the question!!!! I’m super passionate about this topic and I’m glad you brought it up! 👍🏼❤️
We are being asked to teach our mac group as 3 distinct grade levels and that no student should be taught a standard not in their grade level and no student can be in a group that isn’t their grade level. Is this typical of mac
I wish kids could be tested on what they actually know... with that being said how do prepare your students for grade level testing when they are actually functioning below their actual grade level, but yet expected to test on grade level.. I hate standardized tssts
Interesting! Yes, we do technically teach in a multiage classroom. We have such a diverse group of learners. “Learning to read or reading to learn”....I like that quote. I had a parent who was concerned that her child “wasn’t learning” in grade one because she already knew how to read. I explained that now she is reading to build comprehension skills, increase vocabulary, learn information, etc....that’s why we read! Anyway, thanks for the tips.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful video. I enjoy watching all your teacher videos. I am a high school special Ed student in Vermont. I am visually impaired and Blind and I have to use a Cane wherever I go. It helps me not to run into anything and helps me get around my school and outside of school.
I’ve always taught multiage in special Education self contained classroom & when I homeschooled. This will be my first year teaching a general education multiage classroom (K-2) in a private school. 8-10 kids, I’m so excited 😆
I teach in a public Montessori school where all of the groupings are multiage. There are challenges but there are so many benefits, too. I am interested in seeing more in this video series. Thank you for the encouragement in this unique area of education. 😊
Bridgette this was very well organized and presented! I'm sure that this will help lots of educators out there and definitely start some great conversations.
So for the record, I hit the thumbs up before I watch any of your videos. 🤷🏻♀️ I am never disappointed! 😘😘 Keep doing what you’re doing. You’re stronger than you know! Have an awesome spring break!
Unicorns Rock 😭 thank you so much for the love and support! This truly means the world to me!
Of course!
How does standardize tests work? If you have a student in fifth grade working on a fourth grade level, how do they get the content information they need to be successful on an end-of-the-year assessment?
Maybe they don’t do standardize testing. Also what makes you think that the kid in 5th grade will be working at a fourth grade level? Even in mix age classroom, 5th graders will be learning 5th grade stuff. Where did you get the idea that they will learn 4th grade despite being in fifth grade?
Also they will catch up.
Also maybe we should not judge kids base on test scores. Maybe we should get rid of those test.
Such a stupid statement. I never been in a MAC, but it is dumb to assume that 5th graders will be learning the same thing as 4th graders. I doubt that happens in one or in most.
This is so interesting to me. This whole MAC concept is so old for me. In my country schools used this system more than a 100yrs ago and even some rural schools now use this these days. But eventually all the schools evolved to the grade to grade system because it was considered more efficient I guess. It's interesting to hear this from a perspective of a more advanced country. Liked it
I know I’m very late, but thanks for answering my question. I’ve been a follower of yours for so long. I’m so honored
I would love to learn more about multiage classrooms and to observe them in action. As a student teacher something I am always looking for during rotations is what type of school is going to be best for me. Multiage, inquiry/concept-based, IB schools, etc. All interesting formats to consider when applying for that first teaching job!
Hi Bridget, I am really looking forward to my team’s onsite visit in May to learn more about the MAC team. How are lunch, specials, and field trips handled? Does it go by grade level or is your team treated like it’s own grade level? Thank you for any and all insight.
Are you coming to our school?
The Lettered Classroom
We (my principal, instructional coach, third grade teacher, fourth grade teacher, and me (fifth grade teacher) are scheduled to do a site visit at your school on May 7th.
Heather Schwartzmiller that is awesome! 6th grade has a separate lunch from 4th and fifth. But our lunch recess is combined so when 4th & 5th are eating 6th is at recess and vice verse. Specials is the same with6th separate from 4th and 5th and field trips, we all go together. We are on a 3 year cycle for field trips and this year was Gettysburg! Excited to meet you!
Thank you for giving really detailed answers to these questions. Sorry if I did not get this part but is the MAC only for children with EAL (English as additional language) or a mix ability of children across the year groups? In England we do things quite differently. But I really interested in this and would like to implement it into our school but need more hard evidence that it benefits children and their overall grades. I love the fact it prepares children for the outside world and gives them hands on experience and a more meaningful learning journey.
Shazana Ali - Hussain we have a mixture of learners in are class. From demographics, to special needs. We also have a number of gifted learners as well.
The Lettered Classroom thank you for response. Wow the amount of time and effort you put into this learning is amazing. I honestly admire your commitment.
Shazana Ali - Hussain thank you!!!!! It is truly my passion to help kids!
I love it! Something new and nice. Well thought out. Nice.
Since next year is yr 3rd year, are u looking at test results of that initial group and comparing them to scores of students from regular classes? I'm just curious if the scores were comparable or did yr mac students score better?
Hey! So do the students feel awkward having other grades with them, especially the higher grades with 4th grade?
Great information. Thanks! (And can you please comment on where you got your blouse? It is gorgeous :)
Taria Usher Thank you! I actually bought it from Hollister!!!!! I never go into that store and I saw it in the window and fell in love!
Hello from Argentina. It is a great class. Do you have the idea to create this Mac class or your school suggested it? Congrats.
Happy teaching.
Miriam from Argentina.
I would like to more about creating a MAC program.
How do you deal with getting kids ready for state testing (especially those who are academically lower than grade level)?
aglaurendance let me ask... how different is it for those kids who get pulled through a curriculum never really being successful at anything they do? It’s not any different. When we think about classes we have about 80% of our learners are right where they need to be. 10% are lower and need support. 10% are higher but what I’ve found is those high kids are just given enrichment instead of considering to move them through the curriculum because they are “5th grade (etc)” and plus, kids should not be classified based on a test that is given once a year. Plain and simple.
Thanks for asking the question!!!! I’m super passionate about this topic and I’m glad you brought it up! 👍🏼❤️
Thank you
We are being asked to teach our mac group as 3 distinct grade levels and that no student should be taught a standard not in their grade level and no student can be in a group that isn’t their grade level. Is this typical of mac
LOVE THIS!
I wish kids could be tested on what they actually know... with that being said how do prepare your students for grade level testing when they are actually functioning below their actual grade level, but yet expected to test on grade level.. I hate standardized tssts
how would the learners cope without multigrade school
First comment ❤️❤️