TEACHING MULTIGRADE REVIEWER pre-teaching.

This both prepare and stimulate the young

students thinking.
What is Multigrade Teaching?
Teacher can teach two and more grades at same time
A multigrade class is made up of students in several
(two or three) grade levels with one teacher for an Disadvantages of Multi-Grade Classroom
entire school year.
schools practicing multi-grade teaching often suffer
Multigrade schools are those that have classes that from inadequate material resources
combine students of different ages and different abilities
in one classroom. In remote areas, teachers' passivity, irregularity, ill
planning, non-accountability and engagement in non-
A Multigrade class involves students of different ages academic pursuits create and maintain a low school
and developmental levels, with different skills and profile
learning abilities learning together with one teacher.
THE MULTIGRADE PROGRAM IN THE PHILIPPINES
Multigrade should remain as a class for a minimum of
two (2) years but often for three (3) years. They should The Constitution states that the state shall protect and
have the same classroom teacher for all those years. provide the rights of all citizens to quality education at
all levels and take appropriate steps to make education
Multigrade teaching is different in two main ways: accessible to all, and so it is hereby declared a policy
that all public elementary schools, as much as
The curriculum for the grades being combined is practicable and considering the existing facilities and
integrated, that is,common elements from the different teachers, will offer complete six (6) grade levels to
year programs are combined into one program for the children in the remotest barangay. (DECS Order No. 38.
class. There is not two or three separate programs s. 1993)
operating, just one that provides different levels of
challenge to the students However, there are certain requirements for effective
multigrade teaching which include the following:
The learning is student centered, not grade level
centered, so students have the opportunity to work at systematic and well-organized planned instructional
their level of ability, through the different levels of delivery and grouping:
activities provided by the teacher. The needs of the
student determine the teaching and learning; learning is a well-managed classroom that is conducive to learning
student driven. and has the necessary resources available;

What Multigrade Teaching is not? discipline among the students has been developed so
that they can focus on learning:
Multigrade is not one teacher running between two
classrooms to teach two separate grades with separate a cooperative learning environment where self-directed
programs. learning is balanced with teacher-directed activities,
peer teaching and group work;
Multigrade is not two classes working in isolation in the
same room, seated at each end of the classroom and a teacher who is well-prepared to serve as a facilitator
being taught separate programs by one teacher. of learning rather than as the only source of knowledge
in the classroom and who is well-prepared
OTHER LABELS FOR MULTIGRADE
to use a variety of instructional strategies and
Multiage, mixed age, vertical grouping, techniques to suit the varied needs of the learners;
combination,composite, double grade.
a well-designed curriculum that allows for and
Multigrade class located encourages integration of learning areas and a variety of
activities as learning experiences for the students.
Remote Areas
Educational Policies in Multigrade Classes
Single grade classes- have students only from one grade
DO 96, s. 1997
Combination multigrade class- have students from 2 or
more grades and one teacher Policies and Guidelines in the Organization and
Operation of Multigrade (MG) Classes
Pedagogic multigrade class- have students from 2 or
more grades but taught by a team of teachers Factors Contributing to the Establishment of
Multigrade Teaching.
What are the advantages of multi-grade class?
GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS
Improve Learning: Problem-solving, higher-level
thinking, and learning methods develop at an earlier Some areas are geographically isolated by rivers, sand
point with multi- grade classrooms; simply because of dunes or thick forest. As a result, few people live in
the immersion experience that brings students together these areas.
What are the advantages of multi-grade class? POLITICAL FACTORS
hit://www.dusys.co/blog/what-are-multi-grad claswoon
afhantages disadvantages Though there might be a school close by across the
border, the learners are not allowed to cross the border.
Students are more exposed to Pre-learning and Re- Also, villages under different chiefs or associated with
teaching: Students are continuously exposed to re- different tribes, no matter how small, may not have a
teaching, as they listen in on, and benefit from lessons close relationship with each other. They may not have
which are being taught. Students are also exposed to the same political affiliation. As part of the local
development effort, these leaders will push to have problems set for Grade 6? And what happens when a
schools in their areas regardless of the size of the Grade 6 learner realises that he cannot
population.
do work that a Grade 4 learner should be able to do? It
CULTURAL FACTORS is likely that the Grade 6 learner will
Think about what happens if the children of one work harder so that the Grade 4 learner does not catch
community must attend a school in another community. up with him.
Parents may not want their children to attend a school
in an area that has a different culture. In a multigrade classroom, all the learners see what is
taking place at every grade level, and this may lead to
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS self-motivation to finish their grade and move on to the
next.
It is difficult to hire a teacher for each grade level when
the enrolment is lower than the government-stipulated What Is Classroom Organisation?
teacher/pupil ratio.
Classroom organisation is a way of arranging seating or
Another factor to consider is the lack of both human sitting positions and various learning centres in a
and material resources. classroom. Classroom organisation in a multi-grade
classroom varies according to circumstances. The
Benefits of Multigrade Teaching circumstances may include available resources, the
Research has shown that multigrade teaching, if learners, the environment, the curriculum, learner ages,
properly done: the number of learners, the health of the learners, the
training level and experience of the teacher and the
can be as academically effective as single-grade number of grades in a class. The seating arrangement in
teaching, and a multi-grade class is very important because it
can promote the social skills of the learners significantly enhances the learning environment.
better than single-grade classes can. Seating Arrangement
Social Benefits of Multigrade Schools As you organise your classroom, note all the factors that
These schools resemble a family setting. As a result of influence the plan of your classroom.In the previous
this: unit, you learned that the timetable must be flexible.
The same is true for theclassroom. You must be able to
Children in these schools are more stable emotionally. rearrange the classroom furniture just as you are able to
rearrange the furniture in your own home.
They can learn certain things better from their peers just
as they would from siblings. Students’ Desks. Frequently, teachers tend to allocate
desks or tables to learners but fail to guide learners on
They may learn better overall.
how to care for their desks. Learners need to know how
Richer Learning Environment to keep their desks tidy.

The teacher shares instructional responsibilities with Walls. Although teachers are not always consulted when
learners. They know what they are expected to do. They classrooms are built, you could still mention to the
know what assignments to work on, how to get help principal or school authorities that light colours such as
and where to turn to for help. They learn how to help white, light blue and light pink influence learning in a
one another even at an early age. They become positive way. In some cases, the school can buy the
independent learners. paint and the Parents and Teachers Association can
paint your classroom.
Greater Understanding between Educators and Learners
Light in the Class. In most parts of Africa, light and fresh
In a multigrade class, teachers know their learners air are easy to obtain. Learners should be reminded to
better because they are with them for more than one open their windows in order to allow fresh air in the
year. As a multigrade teacher, you should strive to be an classroom. In some Southern African Development
effective teacher because the learners can be Community countries, it is very hot. If classrooms are
disadvantaged if you have a negative attitude over an not well-ventilated, the learners will be drowsy.
extended period of time.
The Class Shop. You can set up a make-believe store or
Learners need not adjust to new rules or procedures market in your classroom. Students can pretend they
each year. Time is not wasted while teacher and learners are shoppers or shop-keepers in order to practise a
get acquainted. number of skills, including language, social skills and
Greater Community Involvement mathematical skills.

Parents also have skills and knowledge that they can Reading Corner. This is an area to which you and the
share with learners. learners could bring relevant teaching material such as
readers, magazines, games, stories and compositions
Development of Healthy Competition written by the learners. This area must to be
comfortable. You could bring floor mats and cushions
You are aware that in multigrade situations, students in
for the learners to sit on. Perhaps, the cushions could be
many different grades are in the
donated by parents.
same classroom. What happens when a Grade 4 learner
Dress-Up or Home Corner. Learners like to have space in
finds out that she can solve
which they can role play. For
example, young learners like to pretend they are family
members or other people in the community. This
activity also helps in the development of their language
skills. The older learners can help the younger ones
develop these skills. You could have a box full of old
clothes such as dresses, shoes and hats in the area.
Learners enjoy dressing up when they do drama.
Learning Centres
Learning centres can be used to enhance multi-grade
teaching activities. The centres can be arranged so that
learners are in groups. Materials appropriate for
different age levels could be placed in different areas so
that the learners can work on their own. If there is
enough space, partitions could be used to separate the
centres.
Classroom Management
What Is Management?
Management means organisation that leads to an
orderly environment. It includes control and the
application of rules. In a multi-grade classroom, the
teacher, who is the head of the class, has to control his
or her class and create a good learning environment for
the children. The teacher must also make the learners
understand how they can assist in making their class
manageable. The learners also play a role in managing
the class.
3 DIMENSION
The Teacher Dimension
Multi-grade teachers must learn to manage themselves
effectively. They must organise and plan their time so
that they meet student needs yet cover the prescribed
curriculum for each grade. Since they are unable to
teach all the students all the time, they must delegate
some of their teaching tasks to older learners who can
assist the younger ones. However, multi-grade teachers
are ultimately responsible for all the learners, the
activities and the resources that are in a classroom.
The Learners Dimension
Multi-grade teachers must manage the learners under
their care. They must ensure that the learners work
diligently to complete their assignments, display
appropriate behaviour and act responsibly. By guiding
students and using themselves as exemplary models,
the teachers help students to develop healthy
communication and relationship skills. It is important
that multi- grade teachers manage a caring and
nurturing environment so that students can develop
their full potential.
The Classroom Dimension
Multigrade teachers also manage the physical
conditions within the classroom, the materials, activities
and routines. The physical conditions of a classroom
include the desks, seats and facilities for storing material
such as cupboard shelves. The teaching and learning
materials that both the learners and teachers need to
enhance the teaching-learning process are also
managed by teachers. Frequently, these materials are
referred to as teaching aids.