Ungraded, mixed-age or multi-age classrooms let pupils develop at their own pace. The flexible grouping of children of a two, three or four year age span allows children at differing ability levels to push and pull each other along. Instruction in the multi-age classroom must be developmentally as well as individually appropriate. There should be plenty of flexible space divided into functional areas or learning centers. The curriculum is most often structured around themes and involves students in making work plans and in tutoring opportunities with the younger children. The children are allowed to freely explore the room and to choose their activities individually or in groups. The children and teacher remain together throughout the age group. So a child has the same teacher for two to three years and some of the same classmates.

Visit programs using this curriculum:

• Bright Futures Preschool
• White Elementary

Resources:

Books:

The Multi-age Classroom: A collection
ISBN: 0-932935-71-0
Date: 1993
Publisher: Skylight Publishing, Inc.
Editor: Robin Fogarty
Pages: 230
Binding: paperback

Multiage Classrooms: The Ungrading of America's Schools
ISBN:0-9627389-6-4
Publisher: The Society for Developmental Education
Binding: paperback
Date: 1993