Attempts to determine if classroom environment is different between single-grade and multigrade primary-school music classrooms. Findings suggest that children in multigrade classrooms are more satisfied, experience less friction, and perceive music class as less difficult than peers in single-grade classes. Discusses educational implications.…

Discusses recent findings on looping's effects in our educational system and on parent/teacher attitudes in the school community. Analyzes parent survey data gathered at an urban elementary school in a large midwestern school corporation. Results suggest guarded support for multigraded classes, as effects on achievement gains are unknown. (13…

Describes the author's experience as a student teacher teaching a drama class composed of students from grades 9, 10, and 11, all working at different levels of experience and expertise. Details challenges he faced as well as successes and failures. Offers comments from a veteran theater educator and suggests supplemental reading, activities, and…

A former student reminisces about attending the Organic School in Fairhope, Alabama, in the 1950s. Founded in 1903, the school pioneered child-centered education; had multigraded classes; incorporated dance, pottery, weaving, and art into the curriculum; and was guided generally by the philosophy that education is not preparation for life, but…

This handbook examines practices and issues involved in the implementation of multiage programs. Data were collected through site visits at four schools with reputations for excellent multiage programs; interviews with a representative sample of parents and teachers at each school; document analysis; a survey of multiage teachers, parents, and…

Multiage/multiability grouping is when more than one grade level of students is grouped in a classroom. This report summarizes the research on multiage/multiability grouping in the primary grades. The paper, which is intended for use in Kentucky's educational system, focuses on quantitatively based comparative research syntheses. The text…

Different aspects of multi-level foreign language classes, where two or more levels of foreign language are taught within a single class period, are discussed. The proliferation of multi-level classes has been brought about by a variety of factors that present a difficult instructional assignment to the foreign language staff. The roles of the…

The quality of instruction may be similar in both traditional/graded and innovative/nongraded classrooms. This essay discusses the results of instruction observed in several nongraded (of varying degrees) Swedish schools serving grades 7-9. A multigraded organization requires more planning by teachers for individualization of instruction, and…

Two studies conducted in the field of business education are presented in this report by the Colorado State Department of Education. In one study, individualized instruction procedures and individual work packets were developed for students in both first- and second-year typing. Descriptive statistics presented for the 2 groups over a 3-year…

In 1984, Jefferson County Public Schools (Kentucky) intitiated a preschool program emphasizing before- and after-school care, multi-age grouping, a developmental curriculum, actively involved parents, and integration of special needs children. Other than district support with space, administration, and bookkeeping services, this successful program…

Credited with creating a sense of community within a junior high is this project bringing together sixth, seventh, eighth graders for a schoolwide study of the 1940s. Teams composed of staff and students from all grades were assigned subtopics that were explored and shared through a variety of activities. (MJL)

On the basis of a comprehensive best-evidence synthesis of the literature on the effects of multigrade and multi-age classes, Veenman (1995) concluded that there were no significant differences between multigrade and single-grade classes in cognitive or achievement effects. Subsequently, Mason and Burns (1996) challenged Veenman's conclusion,…

Contains contributions from five educators concerning the following topics: (1) the "Super Sounder" system of presenting phonics instruction to beginning readers, (2) teaching vocabulary in a multigrade classroom, (3) language experience and basal readers, (4) pacing as a key to successful drill work, and (5) creative ways to encourage reading.…

Queried 571 elementary school principals in 12 states to determine: (1) the frequency of nontraditional (combination and nongraded) classes; and (2) changes in the use of combination classes during recent years. Found that although combination classes represented 17% of California classrooms, most states contained only 3 to 7%. Nongraded classes…