TEACHING AND LEARNING

STRATEGIES FOR MULTI-

GRADE CLASSROOM
The multigrade teachers have to deal with a class of students that
often has a very wide range of ages and consequently of learning
abilities, all together in the same room. Teachers should not use
just the usual style of teaching that they have been trained for
teaching a single class of students in one subject at the time. The
situation in the multigrade classroom is completely different, not
only teachers have to teach more than one grade of students in
the same classroom, but also most of the times they have to teach
different subject to each grade.
They have to be flexible and use
various teaching methods such as:

• Groupings
• Individualized instruction
• Independent Study
• Team Teaching
• Group Project Work
• Peer Tutoring
 The use of such strategies not only
supports the educational work of the
teachers and serves the national
curriculum goals, but also represent
flexible methods that encourage children
to be independent and develop their
personalities: they gain the skills and
attitudes of "learning to learn".
According to Collingwood's book, Multiclass Teaching in
Primary Schools, a handbook that was published in 1991 by
the UNESCO Office for the Pacific States, there are three main
methods to use for teaching in multigrade classrooms,
namely:

• Whole Class Teaching

• Group Teaching

• Self directed learning

 Whole Class Teaching

is about learning together: teachers and students at the same

time, in the same space, and with each person focused on the
same learning goals. As a result, whole class instruction,
implemented artfully, can bring a greater sense of community
to the classroom.
 Group Teaching

a dynamic and engaging approach to education that

harnesses the power of collaboration and peer learning. By
bringing students together in small groups, this strategy
allows them to learn from each other, share ideas, and build
on their collective knowledge.
 Self directed learning

strategy that encourages children to take initiatives, set

their own goals for. learning and follow personal
instructional and planning strategies.
 METHODS MOST
COMMONLY USED IN
MULTIGRADE TEACHING
There are many different ways that teachers in multigrade
classes deliver instruction to students.

Common Methods Include:

1. lecture-recitation
2. Small group work
3. Independent Study
4. Paired and Peer Tutoring
5. Direct Instruction
 A multigrade classroom is a more complex
environment so that instructional delivery
and classroom management strategies must
be compatible and complementary.
An old typical classroom scenario shows the children sitting in a
classroom by two’s on the desks arranged in rows. This method of
instruction is the old way of teaching the lecture-recitation-
seatwork-testing.

RECITATION – a recitation is a practice where one students recites a

lesson to the teacher
DISCUSSION – like recitation, involves using questions but it is
different in its purpose and in the types of questions that are used.
Individualizing instruction involves important elements:
• The teacher determines individual needs of students through a
variety of diagnostic devices and strategies e.g. observing
students behavior in different situation; analyzing students
responses during discussions or recitation, seatwork or assigned
homework, interacting with student while engaged in an activity
patterns of student performance on tests.

• The teacher records observations and refers to them in the

process of lesson preparation and grouping students.
• The teacher thinks about appropriate activities that will
effectively respond to student’s needs and includes these
activities in the class program either within small-group
work situation, individual or whole group activities.

• During implementation of activities the teacher clarifies

expectations and monitors learning, again keeping track
of individual student progress so that individual student
needs can again be considered for continuing planning.
Independent study as an instructional approach is closely related
to individualized instruction. It involves several features.
• Students have access to the teacher as needed but it is
clear that they should try to work on their own, helping
each other as needed.
• There should be a chance to evaluate the activity with the
participation of the teacher as soon as possible (preferably
upon completion) so that immediate feedback can be
given. This enhances the quality of the learning processes.
Independent study as an instructional approach is closely related to
individualized instruction. It involves several features.
• The student may be involved in the selection of the activity or approach
to working on a project.
• The teacher makes sure that all students who will be engaged in
dependent study or work understand expectations and have been given
with clear instructions.
• Students have access to the necessary materials and resources.
• Students can work alone in pairs or small-group of up to 6 to 7
students. Usually in one of the learning areas or centers of the
classroom.
 10 TEACHING
STRATEGIES FOR
MULTIGRADE CLASS
1. Teacher must be flexible - The flexibility of the teacher is also an essential factor in
teaching multigrade. Multigrade teachers should be flexible and equipped with the
knowledge of using various strategies.
2. Effective classroom management - Classroom management represents an essential skill
and knowledge for teachers to achieve a better learning experience for the pupils. Above
all, the most important strategy in teaching multigrade is classroom management,
because if the teacher can control the situation in the classroom, active learning will
follow.
3. Group Work - In this approach, a teacher organizes learners to work in smaller groups
according to their abilities, interests, and ages.
4. Peer Teaching - This is an approach in which students serve as teachers or coaches to
other students in the same or different grade levels.
5. Project Approach -This method allows learners to devise ways and means for exploring
a subject in depth. It involves investigating or solving a problem individually or in groups.
6. Teach one grade while others work independently. -It may be useful to decide on a
time during a day to devote to each separate grade group
7. Teach one subject to all grades and at varying levels of difficulty. -This strategy allows
you to group children of different grades, ages, and abilities together and teach them the
same curriculum theme at the same time. You can first focus on common elements and
then follow this with differentiated tasks and activities.
8. Experiential Learning - Students learn by doing, so create experiences for them to see
the concepts in action. Let them practice the concepts in a safe environment. Then, they
should reflect on the experience and discuss what they learned from it.
9. Addressing Mistakes- If you’ve ever accidentally spelled a word wrong on the board,
you know that students love to identify mistakes. When you’re teaching a new skill, try
providing an example that includes mistakes.
10. Providing Feedback - Students don’t always know if they’re doing a good job without
you telling them so. Regularly provide written or verbal feedback for individual or group
assignments and make this part of your classroom culture