Organizing For Learning

Grades are an administrative device to group children according to their chronological age. In the past, this type of organization was based on the belief that patterns of development were tightly bound to a child's chronological age.We know that each child's pattern of development is unique. All nine-year-oldsdo not function at the same level and are not ready for the same skills or concepts to be presented to them.There is little difference between a so-called 'straight grade' and a 'combinedclass'. All the students in a straight grade do not receive the same program; nor do the students in a combined class. Teachers develop programs according tothe needs of the children in the class. Remove the grade label and all classeshave the traits, traditions and organization of combined classes.

What is a Combined Class?

A 'combined class' is composed of a group of students from two separate gradeswho work within one classroom setting. Students are combined into groupsaccording to their individual needs rather than grade levels, when working onspecific skills. The curriculum is arranged so that students may study the sameor similar materials.

What is the difference between a 'combined class' and a 'split class'?

In a 'split class' part of the class will often do seat work while the other part of theclass is receiving direct instruction. In a 'combined class' instructional groupsmay include a combination of the two classes and will be made up on the basisof individual student needs. Combined classes have operated throughout schoolsystems for many years.

Why do combined classes exist?

Combined classes are a result of imbalances in student numbers at particular grade levels. Staff is based on funding guidelines established by AlbertaEducation, and student teacher ratios established by our School District.

How are students selected for a 'combined class' placement?

Many factors are taken into consideration when selecting students for acombined class. The decision is often made by a team of teachers and theadministration. Selection is bases on such factors as: social skill development,independence in work habits, friendships, leadership skills, self-motivation,learning styles of the learner, teaching style of the teacher, organizational ability,and academic achievement.

Are there any benefits to a 'combined class' placement?

There are many socio-emotional benefits to be gained by having students of various ages together. Peer interactions are often seen to be more positive in'combined class' setting. There is greater development of social skills and morecooperation. Students develop a feeling of comfort and security, a positive self-concept and satisfaction with their achievements.

Are they any disadvantages to a 'combined class'?

No. In all classrooms teachers provide for the individual needs of students.Teachers constantly use a variety of methods to access the needs of eachstudent and then the focus for skill development is adjusted accordingly.

Will the teacher have as much time for each child in 'combined classes'?

The amount of time for an individual student is determined by the number of students in the class, not by the grade structure. Generally, combined classesare the same size as other classes or smaller.

Will a student miss or repeat curriculum material?

Today the emphasis is on skills, concepts, processes and attitudes rather thanmemorizing facts. Because of the rapid changes in science and technology inour society, it is more important to learn how to learn, to evaluate and judge, totransfer and apply knowledge, to understand processes and to know how toaccess information. The curriculum is the means through which these skills arelearned. Students at many levels study similar subjects. The topic may be thesame, butthe depth, focus and evaluation of knowledge are different. Our experience has been that parents who were anxious about a combined classplacement not only have been satisfied with their child's progress, but havebecome positive supporters of this type of classroom organization.

Teaching in a Combined Class

Combined classes are used when the number of the pupils in two grades isless than 16. One of the characteristics of a combined class is that pupils indifferent levels learn in the same classroom simultaneously under the direct or indirect guidance by the teacher. As the children have to study autonomouslywhen the other grade is being taught, it is necessary for them to learn how tolearn. I think that teachers should teach how to learn on as many differentoccasions as possible from the early stages of school so that pupils will bedisciplined in it.Another teaching technique in a combined class is where the teacher movesbetween the two groups enabling the teacher to give constructive suggestions topupils in both groups.In a combined class, the teacher will oftentrain one pupil as group leader tohelp with classroom activities such as reading aloud, individual study, groupdiscussion, and using the blackboard, video or computers.When the teacher switches to indirect teaching,clear instructions need to begiven for the following activity, including the content, materials and a flowcharteither on the blackboard or on a handout, so that the pupils will be able to workunguided until the teacher returns.

Application to the ordinary class teaching

Teaching methods for combined classes can also be used in single gradeclasses.For the last century the Japanese education system has used the doctrine thatevery child will understand if teachers teach in such a way. However in anordinary class not everyone will learn at the same pace. As a result, many pupilsare being left behind. With this in mind, recent trends in education have called for teachers to focus on the individual and plan classes for different levels of interestand learning abilities. Therefore by applying the principle of a combined class (having two different

learning groups in one classroom), more help for slower pupils or those gettingleft behind can be expected. Furthermore, use can be made of individual ideas on how to proceed in class when making the teaching plan as would be done in acombined class. In other words the teaching methods for combined classes arethe basis for those for ordinary classes with pupils of varying abilities, when givingindividual instruction or when carrying out problem solving exercises.

The challenge for the teacher training department

To train teachers who understand the principles of teaching combined classescourses on the subject need to be introduced.From next semester I will beincorporating some of my research into combined classes in my lectures andhopefully we will one day be able to start a fully fledged course.