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Effective Strategies in Teaching Multigrade Class
In this lesson, I've learned that multigrade school teachers must use excellent preparation and develop teaching and learning techniques that are specifically tailored to their classrooms in order to be successful. Above all, they must be committed and willing to put in the effort necessary to resolve the challenges and peculiarities of multigrade education. For me, whole-class teaching, group teaching, differentiated instruction can be effective strategies in teaching multi-grade classes.
1. Whole-Class Teaching
Whole class teaching is the simplest approach for the teacher in the multigrade class. This is because there is only one lesson to prepare and the lesson objective is direct in the average ability of the class. It also helps the teacher to easier keep an eye on the students and keep good discipline.
In whole-class teaching, student-centered activities are presented to keep the attention of the student. Examples of student-centered activities that can be used in a whole class teaching approach are: Storytelling and reading, Students’ news, and Physical education, music, drama
2. Group Teaching
In multigrade classrooms, grouping students is a popular way to manage the class and teach the students. Teachers cannot always assign the same work to all students in a multi-grade class in order to meet their needs. As a result, a range of activities with varying results can be beneficial to each student. While the teacher is occupied by teaching to one group, the rest of the students are working in groups with already allocated tasks, thus spending their time productively. In a multigrade class, there are many ways of grouping students, such as grouping by their age or grade or by their abilities and skills. Examples grouping are:
Ability groups- it allows students to work on tasks most appropriate to their abilities.
Cross age tutoring group- using older students to assist younger students provides benefits to both.
Mixed age groups- fair combination of every age in the class.
Friendship groups- it allows students to form their own groups based on their friends.
Random groups- enable students of differing ability levels and ages to work together.
3. Differentiated Instruction
Differentiated instruction is a student-centered approach to evaluation, teaching and learning processes, and learning outcomes that caters to students' individual needs and abilities. Students at various levels may be given different content or asked to use the same content in different ways. It is difficult for a multi-grade teacher because it necessitates more time and preparation.
Examples of differentiated instruction are:
Tiered activities- series of related activities that increase in difficulty. Teachers organize different activities around the same objectives but, in different ways of reaching the same goals. (e.g. level 1, level 2, level 3)
Learning preferences- teachers can assigned tasks to student according to their learning preferences. Examples are auditory and visual.
Anchoring activities- means a student may do activity at any time. Like, when they have completed assignments or for a short period at the beginning of each class as students organize themselves.
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