Split-grade classes

Is your child in a split-grade class? One of mine is. By my count, Clairlea has 15 of these "combined classrooms," including every French-immersion class higher than grade 1.

Many parents wonder how combined classrooms work, how the class assignments are made, and how the teachers can possibly teach both curricula simultaneously.

In answer to these and other questions about split grades, the marvellous Mme. Dungo found this Ministry of Education pamphlet on combined classrooms and posted the link on her blog. I found it quite reassuring. Although split-grade classes must surely be more challenging for teachers, they seem to present some real opportunities for the students. Perhaps combined classrooms even offer greater scope for differentiated learning, which is a key element of the Toronto District School Board's "Vision of Hope."