"Learning is a process of continuously constructing meaning through interaction with the environment. Learners develop attitudes towards themselves, others, and learning based on the meaning they derive from their interactions with the environment (for example setting, people, activities and so forth). Thus a learners disposition towards school, teachers, peers and so forth grows from the quality of those interactions" (Miller, pg 7).





What would a "typical" day look like in a multiage classroom? These are two sample schedules; one for younger students: ages 5-8 and one for older students: ages 9-13. These show how classrooms could work, but there are certainly alternate possibilities for scheduling which would suit other multiage classrooms. The important consideration is a schedule which allows some flexibility within the structure and opportunities for students for make responsible choices about their own learning.


Sample Multiage Schedule: Ages 5-8:


8:30 Self-selected or buddy reading: After making a lunch choice, taking care of backpacks, and turning in purple folders, children choose books from the book bins to read independently or with a “study buddy”. (homeroom class)

8:45 – 9:15 Monday: assembly
8:45 – 9:15 Tuesday - Friday: music or gym (homeroom class)

9:15 – 10:15 Monday: Library (second graders)

10:15 – 11:15 Monday: Library (first graders)

9:15 Calendar routine: Includes many math and oral language skills. (together )

9:30 Class meetings: This will be time to compliment one another on the good things going on in our class and to problem solve issues as they arise. Also, a time to discuss class and school themes. (together)

9:45 Math (Multiple learning groups )

10:45 Recess

11:00 Shared and independent writing: Children will observe modeled writing lessons, mini skill lessons, and engage in independent writing. (together and homeroom)

12:00 Lunch

12:30 Read Aloud We will read stories to the whole class based on topics we are learning about or several stories by one author to study that author’s style or genre. (together)

12:45 - 1:15 Working with words. The children will practice phonics skills, spelling, sight words, word families, and grammar. (grade level)

1:15– 2:15 Literacy centers and guided reading groups. Title One teachers will be in our classrooms to work with small groups of children on reading and writing skills. We will use this time to pull children to read from books at their own level while students rotate through literacy based centers. (together)

2:15 Recess 2:30

Science or Social Studies (together)

3:00 Oral Language The kids will play games and participate in activities designed to improve their speaking skills and increase their confidence when speaking in front of the class. (together)

3:18 Dismissal

Sample Multiage Schedule for ages 9 - 13: (from Concordia Lutheran School)

8:30 Christian religion instruction

9:00 Directed reading instruction and reading time
9:40 Recess
10:00 Direct Math instruction, independent work, and practice
11:00 Language Arts (English, Writing, Spelling)
11:45 Lunch and Recess
12:40 Accelerated reading and independent reading
1:30 Natural Science or Social Studies topic: instruction and activity
2:00 Recess
2:15 Natural Science or Social Studies work
3:00 Dismiss
On specific days, Physical Education, Art, and Music will take the place of one of the subject areas.