The Components of

Multigrade Classroom as
a Learning Environment
The Human Resources
1. THE LEARNERS - the center of
the educational process. How
children are viewed, assumptions
about them, and how they learn
determine how they should be
treated in the classroom.
Universal assumptions about
children:
Children grow and develop
because of the interaction
between nature and nurture;
between what they have inherited
and what they learn from their
environment.
Children go through stages of growth
and development with a predictable
pattern (Maturation and Learning)
Children are unique – they are
individuals.
Children’s cognitive growth in any
stage depends upon activity
(appropriate activity during any
particular stage)
2. THE TEACHER – a critical figure in the
teaching-learning environment.

Teachers’ roles in a child-centered

classroom:
1. Facilitator 4. Observer
2. Instructor 5. Evaluator
3. Manager 6. Planner
3. OTHER ADULTS
Parents

- show active involvement in their child’s

schooling and educational experiences
- provide additional and necessary
resources
- act as volunteers in the classroom
Community members
- provide material and financial
resources
- can be involved as resource
speakers
- act as classroom volunteers
THE PHYSICAL
ENVIRONMENT
Organizing a multigrade classroom
The Multigrade classroom may look quite
different to a traditional classroom. Instead
of desks in lines, all facing the chalkboard,
you may see:
1. Desks organized into small groupings
2. A space in the center of the room, or
perhaps some marked spaces around the
room where groups can sit on the floor and
work
3. Workstations or learning centers,
where individuals and groups may go
to complete activities. These will be
made by the teacher and could include
math, writing, language centers, or
focus on the theme being taught.
4. Resources kept on shelves around the
outside of the room, in boxes which
are labelled to help the group identify
what they need.
5.Boxes or folders for student’s
work to be kept in.
6.Plenty of examples of
individual and group work on
display.
 General
requirements/guidelines
for classroom organization
Ventilation and Lighting
Allparts of the classroom
should be well-ventilated
and adequately lighted so
that all children can work
comfortably.
Furniture and Equipment
Desks, tables, chairs, and the like are
ideal for multigrade classroom for the
following reasons:
1. A whole-group period discussion
2. Small-group activities
3. Individual and independent work
4. Indoor games or dramatization
Outdoor Space
An area outside the classroom
which can be utilized to the
fullest when the weather
permits. An ideal space for
whole-group games and activities
that do not require equipment.
Beyond the classroom into the
community (Community Resources)
Farms, small stores, repair shops and
other service centers which children
can visit. Field trips to different parts
of the community are most enriching
experiences to children. Community
experts can also be tapped for the
same purpose.
Learning Centers/Work Stations
A carefully constructed learning
component of the classroom in
which the materials and resources
are arranged to allow students to
learn knowledge, skills and
understandings in an independent
mode of learning.
At a learning center a student can work:

 Individually
 with a partner
 with a small group
 with a teacher
 with a peer tutor
 with a parent/volunteer
Learning Materials
Include books of all kinds, other
reading materials, commercial and
teacher-made board games,
puzzles, card games, activity cards
and toys, visual aids, picture
banks, cut-outs, calendars and
many more.
Display areas
 Decide which parts of the classroom are
appropriate for display of the students’
work, charts, etc. Make the best use of
the space available. It is not a good idea
to block the light by covering the windows
with posters and paintings. Display boards,
soft boards painted white are very useful.
You can pin or staple work on them and
change displays easily.
Some points to consider:

1. The classroom environment should be

interesting for the whole range of
students in it. All students should feel
it is their classroom
2. Students’ work should be shown
carefully and thoughtfully so they can
see you value their efforts.
3. Students can learn something
from discussing with the teacher
which work should be chosen for
display.
4. Ensure a balance of work is
displayed, not just the best
students’ work.
5. Students like to see their name
on their work. It makes them feel
proud.
6. Use displays to reinforce thematic
work that you are working on in the
classroom.
7. Try to change displays regularly.
It allows all students to have a
chance at showing some of their
work and increases motivation.
Organizing time in a multigrade
classroom
Daily Class Program – TIME is one of the
most important resources in a multigrade
classroom. Organizing time requires:
1. Balance the needs of the different groups
of children
2. Alternate whole-group activities, small-
group activities, and individual work
within the day
The Curriculum