Anyone have any experience with 3rd / 4th grade combo classes?

[AlexTina]

I hope it's okay to post this here. I know it's not disney related but being the family portion of the boards I figured someone here may be able to help.

We went to meet the teacher day today and found out that my 4th gader has been placed in a 3rd/4th combo class. I have never had any experience with this before and have been told that they generally do this when there are not enough students to creat a whole new classroom exclusively for 3rd or 4th. I was told that they generally get the best teachers and the more independent students from each grade level (no discipline issues etc..). I am concerned though! My daughter is thrilled with the teacher but very aprehensive about the 3rd/4th issue. She will be having lunch with 4th grade but we are not sure whether they'll be doing recess with 3rd or 4th. She's also concerned that her friends will think she is in a combo class because she didn't pass or something like that. It's causing a lot of stress. I've contacted the principle and she will be happy to move my daughter if that's what we want, I need to let her know by tomorrow evening.

So anyone have any experience with this situation? Was is a good experience or bad? Would you avoid it or embrace it?

Thanks

Tina

 

[Leajess99]

My youngest was in a K/1st split in 1st grade for part of the year. Second semester ended up going stright 1st grade due to the increase in enrolled kids for both grades.

On my experience most kids know that is a split class and rarely are there any issues. My daughter's class had an assigned recess time as they did not go out by grades because of the amount of kids and the increased risk of injury with so many kids on the playground.

If your daughter is concerned though than I would say move her. My daughter had no issues with being in a split class nor have any of the kids I know from the split classes. She attends one of the best Elementary schools in the district and there is a change in enrollment throughout the year due to the area and military changes.

 

[Daisy-J&D]

I was in a split 4/5 class and I was in 5. I know this was a while ago but I remember feeling the same way. There is stigma to being the older of the split, for sure. However I found my split year to be one of the best. The 4th graders in the class, overall, were pretty irrelevant. I didn't play with them or really interact with them outside of class. We were together, but not. It was strange.
It is true that more independant kids get placed in split because I remember kids who couldn't handle it being transferred.
From my point of view, I'd stick with the class. It will be a new learning opportunity for her and she may love it.

 

[JennCa]

Never had a child in one yet, but I have taught it. Is it even or are there a lot more 3rd or 4th graders? If there are a lot less 4th then I might be concerned.

Pros- usually way less behavior issues than a regular straight class, more independent workers. We select only the children and families who as teachers we think are the best choice for that situation. Obviously this means the regular classes that are left have more issues than usual because less opportunity for us to spread out. As a teacher I've had several of my best years EVER with a combo class especially a 3rd/4th since the skills are closer together for me and I can teach to their skill sets not just the grade level. It also allows for peer teaching.

Cons- Is this a great teacher or a new teacher? (we usually gave the combo classes to the person with the least seniority/least experience) Are there rotations with other grade level teachers that will be affected? (Do all the 4th grade teachers switch for science, social studies, etc and would your child get to do this?) What about field trips?

If your child feels uncomfortable that would be my guide, but you may want more info before you decide.

Jenn

 

[K and K's Mommy]

My DD was a third grader in a 1-3 class last year. I was very apprehensive, but it was great for her. There were 42 kids with 2 teachers. Both teachers were excellent veteran teachers.

I was worried she wouldn't be pushed being the oldest group, but she was. The third graders had some opportunities to develop leadership skills so that was great also.

I think what you are seeing is happening more and more. In our school last year we had the 1-3 class, a 2-3 class, and a 5-6 class. Only the 1-3 class had 2 teachers because it was a double size class.

My DS 6 is going to be in the 1-3 class this year so we will see how I like it from the youngest standpoint. My DD did get invited to a first grader's birthday party last year. I thought it was so cute!

I think you said it was an experienced teacher. That is good. I would not want an inexperienced teacher doing this. There is a lot of individualization, grouping by both age and needs, and independent learning in these classes. As long as the teacher knows how to do this while maintaining control, I think it can be great.

 

[bigbabyblues]

My boys go to a small private school, and they will both be in combo classes this year. DS10 will be in a 5th/6th, but his 3/4 was also combined both years and it was fine. His class has 9 students, and the grade ahead of him has 3. The grade below him has 7 or 8, so even the combined classes are small.

I was not happy about it at first, but we talked to the teacher beforehand and she was very reassuring. It was the first year for the 3/4 at his school but she had taught that way before. On orientation night (week or two before school started), she talked a lot about it, showed us her lesson plans, explained exactly how things would work, etc.

We didn't have any issues, and if anything, DS has become more independent as far as his school work. In his classroom, from what I can see, it is the teacher making the sacrifices of her time--planning time, etc. She is in the room all day teaching; there is an aide and other teachers who handle recess duty, and the kids all eat lunch in their classrooms. I know she does teach Math to the 3rd grade while the 4th grade is outside for recess, and the other way around.

Hope it works out!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

My DS was a 3rd grader in a split 3rd/4th grade class. It was really good for him because he was actually very far ahead of other 3rd graders and this way he was able to actually do the 4th grade work. I don't know if that info helps you really at all. At his school they went to lunch and recess together.

 

[Reddy]

that is all my boys have ever had but they are special ed so I can't really comment for how non-special ed kids.

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

Our oldest daughter just finished grade 3 in a split 3/4 class, and she loved it. We were mildly concerned at first, but all the kids seemed to get along, it seemed to make her more responsible, and the kids in both grades seemed like quiet hard-working keener types just like our daughter. Certainly there don't seem to have been any behavioural problems we're aware of. Our second daughter's non-split grade 2 class, on the contrary, seemed to be full of aggressive "challenging" kids (including the boy who pushed her off an ice hill and caused a gash all down her face). If you can reassure your daughter, it might well turn out to be a good experience. But if you can't, then of course her comfort level is most important.

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

My oldest has been in combo classes since grade 3. 3/4 then 4/5 and likely this year 5/6 - though we don't know for sure yet.

They say they put her in split so often because she is a very independant learner and doesn't need as much teacher instruction. I'm okay with it because she's doing really well since starting split classes!

IMHO allow your child to try it for the first part of the term and see how he/she does. If it isn't working for your child bring up your concerns with the teacher. You never know your child may surprise you!

 

[AmandaRG]

I hope you were able to come up with a resolution. I was in split classes several times in my childhood.

I think it was great because when I was younger it helped to expose me to educational information earlier and when it was not required. As the older student, I was able to help the younger students and we all worked well together and enjoyed being together.

 

[Tinknalli]

The Pre-K to 6th grade school in our town has about 55 kids so all classrooms are split classrooms. My son (3rd grade) and daughter (4th grade) will be in the same classroom this year. They are in the same classroom alternating years and it works fine. They have their own friends in multiple grades. There is no stigma because all classes are like this. My kids are getting an excellent education with some of the highest test scores in the area. I think this situation gives some flexability. For example students are grouped together for Math based on their development rather than grade. Specials like PE, art, music, Spanish etc are instruction for the entire classroom, whereas Math, Reading, Science etc are taught to the students level.

 

[dward1961]

My DD now 24 was in a 3/4 split when she was in 4th. It was a great experience for her, the students were independent and in groups much of the time. There were far less discipline issues that year. The teacher had transfered from the middle school to take that position, she was awesome. The class had lunch and recess with the other 3 and 4th grade classes. The class also had many other experciences like going into the 1st grade classes to read, also some middle school students came to work with the students several times throughout the school year. At that time many parents wanted their 3/4 children to be in this class. I have not regrets that she was in this class and if I asked her I'm sure she would agree.
I wasn't aware of any parents that did not want their child in this class, the students teacher from the previous year recommended which students should be in the split class.

 

[bwilcox]

Something that stuck out to me as a teacher is that only the most independent, well-behaved students would be in this class. If I had only these students in my class, we could get so much done! Our days would be filled with high-level, fun activities. So it might actually be beneficial for her. However, if it is causing stress for your daughter, then I would have her moved. You should do what is best for your daughter, not what is most convenient for the school.

 

[chekhovgirl]

As someone whose life has been engrossed by Montessori style education, I'm a big proponent of mixed age classrooms. The older kids can help the younger kids with both benefiting, the kids are exposed to a wider range of educational topics/levels and may have the chance to move more at their own speed if they are in this class continuously for the years that are offered in the class. In your case your daughter has been thrust into this class as an older child, which I don't think is a bad thing, it just might have had a different effect had she started as a 3rd grader.

 

[AlexTina]

Thanks for all the replies. Our principle offered to place her in a standard 4th class but it was with a teacher that she had for 1st grade and we had huge issue with that teacher, in fact when I told my dd about her being able to change but it would mean going to Ms. X's class she stared crying. So we are going to give the combo class a shot and we'll see where we're at 4 weeks in.

Tina

 

[poohguys]

DS10 was in a 3/4 class this past year. This year should be a 4/5 class. He did fine last year. It was his first year at this school. He made friends with the kids in both grades. They did split the kids up for math. The class was split about evenly 9 3rd graders and 10 4th graders.

 

[smilemommysmile]

We used to have this in our school, and we all loved it! The younger kids looked up to the older kids, and the older ones really did love being roll models. It was amazing how just a year difference really did show. It was a wonderful cooperative learning environment. I miss it so much now--budget cuts forced classes to be moved around and we no longer have it

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I just wanted to say thanks for the thread and all the replies!

My DS will be in 2nd grade this year and we know one class will be a combo 1st/2nd grade and initially we were strongly against it. You all have given me reasons to accept it (if it should happen) and the very positive sides to it. We are still waiting to find out what class he will be in but I have a much more open mind now.

Thanks,
Heather

 

[sp0ngem0nkey]

We used to have this in our school, and we all loved it! The younger kids looked up to the older kids, and the older ones really did love being roll models. It was amazing how just a year difference really did show. It was a wonderful cooperative learning environment. I miss it so much now--budget cuts forced classes to be moved around and we no longer have it

oh that is a good point. She can help the younger ones in her class which will give her responsibility and accomplishment. Tell her she can help in the combo class so she needs to pay close attention to her teacher to help her.