The Multi-Age ClassSt. Paul School

Presented by Sandra Cormican & Carmen Larsen

How We Got Here

Alberta Education changes the focus of education in Alberta

research completed over the summer on the multi-age program (Carmen – scientific studies, Sandra – how to implement it)

proposal submitted to Gerry proposal approved planning of the program begins

Direction of Education in Alberta

Alberta Education’s Inspiring Education is changing how education is delivered in Alberta and is calling on teachers and schools to change the way they teach students.

What is multi-age?

overview of multi-age learning A multi-age class has students of different

ages and abilities placed in the same classroom to learn a non-graded curriculum.

This is not a new concept or “fad.” The philosophy of placing students of different ages together to learn goes back to “the one room school house.”

Key Components

student-centered students progress and are assessed on a

continuum (developmental stages) students work at own level and pace through

common activities and projects team-teaching peer-tutoring fosters social-emotional skills and

development promotes collaboration and cooperation

How does multi-age connect with Inspiring Education? They both focus on literacy and numeracy

development. They both focus on collaboration,

cooperation, a sense of community, responsibility, self-reliance, confidence and an appreciation of diversity.

They both focus on teaching students the skills to become independent learners and thinkers.

Alberta Education’s Vision of the Future Albertan

Alberta Education’s Cross-Curricular Competencies

How does multi-age connect with “Visible Learning?” (John Hattie) Many of the strategies shown to have the greatest impact on

academic achievement are integral components of multi-age: Student expectations, Piagetian programs, classroom

discussions, feedback, teacher-student relationships, not labelling students and direct instruction.

Teachers should be working with each other, not in isolation. In the multi-age program teacher collaboration (planning and teaching) is central to the program working well. Different teachers bring their expertise to the table and learn from each other.

The focus in a multi-age class is students learning, not teachers teaching. Our conversations with each other need to be about learning not about teaching.

8 Mindframes: Know Thy Impact as a Teacher

What are we doing this year?

As this is a pilot year, we are starting with one 3/4 multi-age class, which will be team taught by Sandra Cormican (full time) and Carmen Larsen (1/2 time).

We are going to educate staff and parents about the multi-age program through newsletters, blogs, show cases, open houses and presentations.

What will a multi-age day look like?

Morning Routine Math Block Gym Fine Arts Block Lunch Literacy Block Project Block Dismissal

*The key is to have large blocks of time devoted to student learning.

**Learning is achieved through direct teaching, small group activities (teacher or student led), student discussions (whole or small group) and independent activities.

What is the vision for multi-age at St. Paul School? We will be asking for teacher input to develop

curricular themes for a 2 year cycle. We will be asking for teacher input to develop

assessment continuums for the primary skill areas (reading, writing and math strands).

We will be looking for other team-teaching units in order to expand the program next year to include 1/2 MA and 5/6 MA groups.

We will be encouraging parent and community support.