The concept and practice of multiage education are an important part of a Peachtown Elementary education. Multiage education means, simply, that children of many ages are taught together. The one room schoolhouses our parents and grandparents attended were actually multiage classrooms.
Today's multiage classrooms are created by design, but they remain a terrific economy for small schools, and the benefits of this arrangement are many.
At Peachtown, primary students in pre-K through third grades comprise the Lower Level and students in fourth through eighth grade comprise the Upper Level, with a flexible transition between third and fourth grades. Within each level, smaller satellite groups of fourth- through sixth-grade students are formed for math and language arts classes. This flexible format accommodates a developmental approach to teaching. The span of ages allows students to be both challenged to work to their highest potential and assured of having the time they need to master a skill. Students can excel academically or take the extra learning time they need, while still sharing the classroom with their age peers.
Although class groupings vary depending on the subject material, sometime each day is devoted to all-school activities. During morning meeting, lunch and recess the students are always together. This shared time promotes a sense of community, which is important as the children learn to be caring and generous individuals. Other special community activities are scheduled throughout the year to foster positive shared learning experiences. The arts provide a wonderful medium for this type of learning.
This spring, the children at Peachtown studied the history of the 20th century. This historical study incorporated the music, art and literature of the times. After an intensive look at the development of jazz and blues in America, the children were treated to a jazz workshop by three Aurora parents: Rick Bogel on trombone, Nils Chaplet on piano and Todd Zwigard on drums. The Peachtown children then joined together in an all-school ensemble to celebrate their end-of-school picnic held June 10 with a performance of three songs: the populist folk song, “A Hayseed Like Me;” a blue tunes, “Baby Won't You Please Come Home,” and the Beatles' “Revolution.”
Each year, Peachtown launches a full-length dramatic production as a final hurrah for the year. This is the ultimate multiage endeavor. It is undertaken to bring everyone into a large scale performance for the fun of the event, for the focus it provides to those last weeks of school and especially for the sense of accomplishment, pride and camaraderie it engenders.
Thursday, June 5, the Peachtown Players took to the stage in Phipps Auditorium on the Wells College campus for a production of the “Wizard of Oz.” Thirty children ranging in age from 5 to 13 were cast in 41 roles. Lucy Zwigard of Aurora, starring as Dorothy, was supported by the Scarecrow, Nick Brady of Sherwood; the Tin Man, Fred Semenza of Poplar Ridge; and the Cowardly Lion, Riley Maassen of Poplar Ridge. The two good witches were played by Julie Ryerson of Aurora and the Wicked Witch was portrayed by Savannah Sprague of Lansing. The Wizard himself was played by Nick Bogel-Burroughs of Aurora.
Taking an active role in all aspects of production, the children worked together to paint and build sets and props, make posters and design costumes. From the first rehearsal to the final performance, the older children supported and coached the youngest children along, helping them with costumes, lines and cues. The success of the event is built on the mutual cooperation and reliance between the children.
Multiage education goes beyond good teaching and good economy; it allows children of all ages, including siblings, to be responsible for themselves and for others. It brings the qualities of family loyalty and care into peer groups and the classroom. Ultimately, it helps teach children the value of responsibility and caring, which should be a primary goal of educating children.
Barbara Post is the school administrator at Peachtown and can be reached at 364-8721.
At Peachtown, primary students in pre-K through third grades comprise the Lower Level and students in fourth through eighth grade comprise the Upper Level, with a flexible transition between third and fourth grades. Within each level, smaller satellite groups of fourth- through sixth-grade students are formed for math and language arts classes. This flexible format accommodates a developmental approach to teaching. The span of ages allows students to be both challenged to work to their highest potential and assured of having the time they need to master a skill. Students can excel academically or take the extra learning time they need, while still sharing the classroom with their age peers.
Although class groupings vary depending on the subject material, sometime each day is devoted to all-school activities. During morning meeting, lunch and recess the students are always together. This shared time promotes a sense of community, which is important as the children learn to be caring and generous individuals. Other special community activities are scheduled throughout the year to foster positive shared learning experiences. The arts provide a wonderful medium for this type of learning.
This spring, the children at Peachtown studied the history of the 20th century. This historical study incorporated the music, art and literature of the times. After an intensive look at the development of jazz and blues in America, the children were treated to a jazz workshop by three Aurora parents: Rick Bogel on trombone, Nils Chaplet on piano and Todd Zwigard on drums. The Peachtown children then joined together in an all-school ensemble to celebrate their end-of-school picnic held June 10 with a performance of three songs: the populist folk song, “A Hayseed Like Me;” a blue tunes, “Baby Won't You Please Come Home,” and the Beatles' “Revolution.”
Each year, Peachtown launches a full-length dramatic production as a final hurrah for the year. This is the ultimate multiage endeavor. It is undertaken to bring everyone into a large scale performance for the fun of the event, for the focus it provides to those last weeks of school and especially for the sense of accomplishment, pride and camaraderie it engenders.
Thursday, June 5, the Peachtown Players took to the stage in Phipps Auditorium on the Wells College campus for a production of the “Wizard of Oz.” Thirty children ranging in age from 5 to 13 were cast in 41 roles. Lucy Zwigard of Aurora, starring as Dorothy, was supported by the Scarecrow, Nick Brady of Sherwood; the Tin Man, Fred Semenza of Poplar Ridge; and the Cowardly Lion, Riley Maassen of Poplar Ridge. The two good witches were played by Julie Ryerson of Aurora and the Wicked Witch was portrayed by Savannah Sprague of Lansing. The Wizard himself was played by Nick Bogel-Burroughs of Aurora.
Taking an active role in all aspects of production, the children worked together to paint and build sets and props, make posters and design costumes. From the first rehearsal to the final performance, the older children supported and coached the youngest children along, helping them with costumes, lines and cues. The success of the event is built on the mutual cooperation and reliance between the children.
Multiage education goes beyond good teaching and good economy; it allows children of all ages, including siblings, to be responsible for themselves and for others. It brings the qualities of family loyalty and care into peer groups and the classroom. Ultimately, it helps teach children the value of responsibility and caring, which should be a primary goal of educating children.
Barbara Post is the school administrator at Peachtown and can be reached at 364-8721.
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