Split classes?

[Anonymous]

As in 2/3 or 4/5 splits which combine students from 2 grades. I have heard from some friends that some area public schools are doing this. How does it work?

[Anonymous]

Combined/split classes are usually a result of not enough kids to have a standalone, single-grade class. Often the teacher will differentiate in the class so that the upper grade readers (as an example) will be taught together while the other students are working on another subject/project, and then the teacher will switch off to teach the other level of students. This sort of thing can either be pretty bad or pretty good, depending upon the skills of the teacher, the total number of students in the class, and how many groupings the teacher has to spread across. Also, it can be a big help if the teacher can work with the other classes to do flexible grouping across classes, so one group of students can move and join another class for a science discussion, another group for math, etc. It can work, but it takes lots of coordination and some skillful planning by teachers.

[Anonymous]

I was in a 4th/5th split where there were ten 5th graders and the rest 4th graders. Looking back on it, I think it sucked. I can't remember a lot of the particulars but I do remember a lot of down time where we just had free play because our teacher had to switch off. If this ever happens with one of my kids, I will fight it based on my experience.

[Anonymous]

They did this in a school I taught at for many years, as a last resort, but it did happen. Probably one out of every 3 years.

It's not ideal and it can be hard on the teacher, especially if she has very little flexibility in terms of curriculum.

However that said, I have seen it work really well.

The principal usually assigned the strongest teacher to this class, and would put only "good independent workers" in the class. In a 2/3 combination, they'd usually assign the strongest 2nd graders to the class, and the solid average to very strong 3rd graders (but not necessarily the entire top of the class). Few kids with significant learning needs would be put in the class, because the kids needed to be able to handle independent work really well.

What this meant was that in the OTHER 2nd and 3rd grade classes, basically there were few to no "above average" kids left in the classes. So if you petitioned to not have your (strong) student in the split class, you would need to understand that (if she were a really strong student) that she'd probably not have a significant peer group left to work with -- in terms of reading and math groups, etc.

In addition, kids with special learning needs would be concentrated in the remaining classes, generally speaking.

My basic takeaway view of all this was, it is better to have a full grade class than a split class, but all things can't be achieved at the same time. Meanwhile, if the principal assigns your child to a split level class, assuming she's a good principal and is thinking things through, it is generally a compliment to your child!

[Anonymous]

My elementary school was always like this (one of the top MoCo schools). It was usually a small group of younger students with the older class (i.e. 8-10 3rd graders with 20+ 4th graders). It was usually the same group of us that got bumped up. Mostly the g&t kids. I think it was great. We were instructed separately, but I think it is great for the younger ones to be surrounded by the older kids and be immersed in a bit more advanced environment as far as language, social skills, etc. We all fared very well.

[Anonymous]

PP here. 13:30 gave a great description that pretty well matches my experience.

[Anonymous]

There are also some schools that as an informed approach, are split classes by design. Capital City Charter in DC, Campbell in Arlington. Classes are on purpose constructed with 1/2 of the lower grade, 1/2 of the upper grade. The teachers stay the same for 2 years, so children return the second year to a teacher(s) that they already know, and that already know them.

I have not experienced having children in this type of school setting, but in the abstract, it seems to have some advantages if the faculty is strong enough to differentiate instruction.

Montessori classrooms also generally follow this model, with 3 yr old to 5 yr old, Grade 1 -3, Grades 4 -6, in a classroom for multiple years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are also some schools that as an informed approach, are split classes by design. Capital City Charter in DC, Campbell in Arlington. Classes are on purpose constructed with 1/2 of the lower grade, 1/2 of the upper grade. The teachers stay the same for 2 years, so children return the second year to a teacher(s) that they already know, and that already know them.

I have not experienced having children in this type of school setting, but in the abstract, it seems to have some advantages if the faculty is strong enough to differentiate instruction.

Montessori classrooms also generally follow this model, with 3 yr old to 5 yr old, Grade 1 -3, Grades 4 -6, in a classroom for multiple years.

I think that split classes suck a lot and that no child should have to go through this pain...

[Anonymous]

I went to a school in Pittsburgh that was split by design - K/1 and 2/3. It was an absolutely amazing program! I would never judge a program harshly just because they had split classes. On the other hand, if they are split because of necessity, I would be much more concerned.

[Anonymous]

GDS has two split PK/K classes for those children who enter at PK. They stay with the same teacher in the same classroom for two years. For children this young (ages 4-6), the stability is marvelous.

[Anonymous]

My child is at Capital City in a split class (as all the elementary grades are). It is fabulous! It is done by design as the school is small so there is 1 class per grade. By splitting the class, children are mixed up a bit (twins are not together) and teachers will not have to teach their own children. One of the reasons it works at CCPCS is there is a teacher and a teaching fellow in each classroom. These is a lot of time for small group work and differentiated teaching.

I also like that the older kids in the class take on mentoring roles early in the year to show the new students to the classroom the ropse. As a PP stated, they also keep the same students / teacher together for 2 years so when the 2nd year starts, the teacher and students do not have a learning curve establishing the ground rules as getting ot know one another. It is much easier to jump right into the school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GDS has two split PK/K classes for those children who enter at PK. They stay with the same teacher in the same classroom for two years. For children this young (ages 4-6), the stability is marvelous.

Also, the split classes have two teachers each--one for the 10 PKers (who stays with them the following year) and the other for the 10 Kers (who was their dedicated teacher the previous year). Many of the activities are done together, but the group is divided for certain activities.

[Anonymous]

My elementary school had what was called the inter-age class room. It was a full 3rd grade class and a full 4th grade class with the wall between the 2 classrooms removed. It was taught by 2 fabulous teachers who had been working together for years.

I loved it!

[Anonymous]

My DS is in a split class. My impression is that split classes are wonderful for the younger kids, not so much for the older kids.

[Anonymous]

As a first and fourth grader, I was in split 1/2 and 4/5 classes years ago in FCPS, so this is nothing new.

There usually is some grumbling at the outset on the part of the older students and their parents that they are being stigmitized by having to share a classroom with younger students. And then the teachers and administrators tell those students and parents that they were hand-picked based on their maturity and ability to work independently, and life goes on.

It really is not something I'd worry about.