Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Multi-grade classes what's your opinion?

Quick question before I head off to our meeting. Our school sends out a prospective list of teachers and the grade's they will be teaching next year for request purposes. I just noticed there is a 2-3rd grade combo class next year. I normally request that my child not be put into combo classes but am now wondering if this is going to be what is put on the table for ds's needs.

I took the principal's teacher recommendation last year because I did not know any of the teacher's in first grade. I told her my son was advanced and that I needed a teacher that could meet his needs. In my opinion his needs have not been met and while I respect and personally like the current teacher she wasn't the best teacher for him.

I do not know the 2-3rd grade combo teacher at all. He has not taught at my son's school before. Uugh I hope this is not there only option they offer. Now I am apprehensive.

What would you do if a combo class was offered?

Hi, I have no experience of combo classes and to me they look like a good solution on paper. When you say that you took the Principal's recommendation last year was this for a combo class? If so and it hasn't worked for you, you could explain why it hasn't worked and ask how things can be improved. You could also ask if it is possible to meet the proposed teacher and ask what sort of experience he has and how he will accommodate your DS's needs.

Don't feel under pressure to make any decisions, just say that you and your DH need to discuss everything and schedule to meet again in a week or so.

Sorry I can't be more help, but I don't have any experience of combo classes.

Good luck and try not to worry.

I'm for the combo if your child is going into the lower of the two grades and the students in the higher grade are functioning somewhere above grade level. That way your child has the advantage of higher level material and the older kids are able to work independently when needed.
We had a K/1 combo when DD started and it was a good compromise as there were no AIG services until 3rd grade.
Its good you have a say on teachers. Around here you don't even get asked.

I would dearly love having the opportunity for multi-grade classes for DS6. We do have one school in the county (the only one-room schoolhouse left in Colorado, as far as I know) that is still 1-6 or 1-8, and a church school that I went to one year that is 1-4 and 5-8, but those are in another town and would be difficult for us to do. I think DS6 would do well to have several grades of older kids and work available to him. We may yet try it.

The combo class wasn't offered as a solution. Dh and I discussed it beforehand and we both felt it wouldn't be in the best interest for our ds at the moment.

I have mixed feelings about multi-grade classes. Theoretically I see the advantages but in real life I often see it not meeting either grades needs completely. I am glad to see the posts that it can work.

As a parent with experience in combo programs you really need to decide what is right for your child specifically.
My son was in a combo gifted last year and it was great. He was immature for his age and I was a huge advancement in acedemics and maturity.
The drawback was this year the academics have not been as challenging since he did some of the work last year.
Which, of course, the teacher claims is not true, but my son says otherwise)
My daughter was just tested as gifted and I am eager to put her in the gifted combo class because she is mature for her age and it causes difficulty for her with the other girls in her current grade.

I had the opportunity, due to zoning changes, to have my child attend a 2/3 combo-class environment. It sounded ok to me, but I knew already that my child was able to perform above grade average in reading and math. My 2nd grade child was and is at a 4rth grade reading level, math- I don't know yet...we are waiting for the "gifted" test and results at her current school. But if she should not qualify for the gifted program, I might consider the alternative- combo enrollment. As my child is a higher-end performer in 2nd Grade she might qualify at least (if not gifted) for combo 3/4th grade.