Three outstanding teachers, Ms. Clancy, Ms. Bouret, and Ms. Tom, will spearhead this initiative. Some aspects include:
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Three teachers will work as a team, assigned to 3 adjoining rooms with interior connections.
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Teachers will flexibly group for instruction across all three grade levels, in all subject areas.
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Students will be assigned to the vertical team from 3rd grade until the end of 5th grade, allowing for a continuity of instruction. All three teachers will interact with the entire student group extending their knowledge of the students over three years.
The vertical team will focus on developmentally appropriate instruction, meeting individual academic needs and pushing acceleration. Students will move through instruction towards more difficult concepts based on continuous progress rather than waiting until the next school year to move forward in the curriculum. Children’s needs will be examined individually and expectations will not be restricted by grade level definitions.
We believe this multi-age team has many advantages. Our current organization moves children through school in groups based on age rather than cognitive development. Our plan removes the artificial barriers created between grade levels. Children will continue to master curriculum without having to wait until next year and their annual June promotion. One of the most critical elements affecting learning is the relationship between a child and his/her teacher. With this new team, the well established loving relationships will not end with the school year. The teachers will continue their relationships from 3rd grade through 5th grade. These outstanding teachers will apply their considerable accumulated knowledge of students through out the multi-year period. Months will not be spent at the beginning of a new year discovering strengths, weaknesses, learning styles, interests, and behaviors. When multiple teachers bring individual view points to a problem they help refine solutions and can bring a new perspective to a child’s learning. This organization also presents increased opportunities for cross age tutoring and far greater use of student role models.