The multiage classrooms at Stoner Prairie reflect a complexity of learning and the many facets of schooling. Within the multiage classrooms at Stoner Prairie you may see the following illustrations of the program philosophy:
INTERACTION WITHIN A COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS
DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE ACTIVITY
INQUIRY-BASED AND PROCESS DRIVEN
HANDS-ON INVOLVEMENT
CURRICULUM INTEGRATION
INTERACTION WITHIN A COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS
- A team of teachers addresses students’ needs.
- Children move among classrooms.
- Students participate in discussion, ask questions, and are encouraged to TALK about learning.
- Children work in cooperative groups that provide opportunities for each child to grow intellectually, socially, and personally through interactions with classmates.
- Teachers guide the development of responsibility and the acceptance of difference.
DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE ACTIVITY
- Quality of work and individual growth are emphasized rather than competition between classmates.
- Risk-taking is encouraged.
- Team teaching with children of many ages provides opportunities to group and regroup to meet student needs.
- Flexible grouping allows children to make natural progress and helps to assure that they are both challenged and supported.
- Students are encouraged to learn from and to share their knowledge with one another. They have the opportunity to see the next steps for their learning and to reflect on their growth.
INQUIRY-BASED AND PROCESS DRIVEN
- The classroom environment is designed to foster creativity and curiosity.
- Teachers give support to students at different stages of understanding while encouraging thinking and investigation.
- Emphasis is placed on the process in addition to the development of quality products. Process includes planning, presenting, performing, self-assessing and reflecting on personal goals.
HANDS-ON INVOLVEMENT
- Children in mixed age groups use manipulatives, tools, and real world materials while engaging in learning activities.
- Learning is highly interactive and activity based. Children are expected to communicate with self, others, and the environment as they investigate, experiment, perform, and produce.
- Students make use of many resources including reference materials, technology, and the larger community.
- Project work requires student to produce and share products. Students can: create models, write songs or stories, conduct surveys, make games or maps, prepare food, perform plays, etc.
CURRICULUM INTEGRATION
- Curriculum in the multiage classrooms blends content areas. This integration allows students and teachers to identify and build from the relationships among the content areas.
- Activities are structured to provide learning opportunities that involve making connections among science, social studies, mathematics, problem solving, literacy, art, music, and physical education.
- While emphasis is given to learning basic skills, students are expected to demonstrate their understanding through participating in learning activities that are often related to a broad theme.
- Students are encouraged to build upon their prior knowledge and to see connections among content areas, their lives, and the world.
- Instruction in the multiage program incorporates the content and expectations of the Verona Area School District curriculum guidelines and standards.