Lesson Planning
Math
Because math is such an incremental subject, most teachers choose to teach each grade level separately for math. Some teachers are able to send one grade group to another class for whole group instruction. This can be a great way to free up instructional time for other subjects. Talk to the other teachers in your school to see if this is a possibility. If you receive a stipend or additional pay for teaching combined grades, you may be able offer a portion of the stipend to the other teacher. Or, perhaps just coffee or a gift card will help win them over. Either way, show them you appreciate their help!
Language Arts
Reading
Depending on the grade levels you teach, teachers often opt to do centers and guided reading groups, or whole group instruction with one grade, while the other grade does independent practice.
Writing
Writing instruction can be done whole group based on type of writing: narrative, informative, opinion, etc. Each grade would write to a different set of requirements and use different rubrics based on grade-level standards.
Independent Practice
Independent practice can include spelling, writing, silent reading, or comprehension practice. Many multigrade teachers find that this is an excellent time to use technology to provide independent practice options. For details on some technology resources we like to use for independent work, see the Using Technology Effectively page.
Social Studies and Science
Again, depending on the mix of grades you teach, both Science and Social Studies can be flexible enough for integrating grade-level work.
Because math is such an incremental subject, most teachers choose to teach each grade level separately for math. Some teachers are able to send one grade group to another class for whole group instruction. This can be a great way to free up instructional time for other subjects. Talk to the other teachers in your school to see if this is a possibility. If you receive a stipend or additional pay for teaching combined grades, you may be able offer a portion of the stipend to the other teacher. Or, perhaps just coffee or a gift card will help win them over. Either way, show them you appreciate their help!
Language Arts
Reading
Depending on the grade levels you teach, teachers often opt to do centers and guided reading groups, or whole group instruction with one grade, while the other grade does independent practice.
Writing
Writing instruction can be done whole group based on type of writing: narrative, informative, opinion, etc. Each grade would write to a different set of requirements and use different rubrics based on grade-level standards.
Independent Practice
Independent practice can include spelling, writing, silent reading, or comprehension practice. Many multigrade teachers find that this is an excellent time to use technology to provide independent practice options. For details on some technology resources we like to use for independent work, see the Using Technology Effectively page.
Social Studies and Science
Again, depending on the mix of grades you teach, both Science and Social Studies can be flexible enough for integrating grade-level work.