School so small 1st and 2nd grade have one teacher, good or bad?

Question

Was wondering how good or bad a small school is for a child. I have two kids, one going in 1st the other going in 6th. The school they will go to next year is really small. The 1st and 2nd grade are together with one teacher. The 5th and 6th are also in one classroom with one teacher. I know smaller classrooms can be wonderful for children. Giving them more personal attention. But I don't know how I feel about two grades being together. How much they will learn for their grade. I know they leave the classroom for certain classes, and that is when the principle of the school teaches them those classes. The first grade will have 7 children and the 6th will have 8. Let me know your views on this please. Thanks

also, this is a small rural school, not a private school out in the country

Answer 1

I taught a 1/2 combo two years in a row. It was very difficult because of the standards for the two different grade levels. I had a large class (32), so that didn't help, although I did have an instructional assistant. With her help I was able to give each child the attention he or she needed, but I still felt they were shortchanged.

However, both your children are going to go into small classes, and that makes all the difference in the world. The teachers will have no trouble at all with the two grade levels. So I would not worry, if I were you.

Answer 2

I lived in a large city growing up. Many times the 5th and 6th grade classes would have at least one class that had 5th and 6th graders in it. These classes were normal sized classes if you counted every student in the class.

As a 5th grader I was in one of these classes. Normally it was considered an honor to be a split grade class. However that year the teacher was one who had never taught in our school system and she spent more time with the 6th graders because she felt it more important to prepare them for Jr. High School.

since the classes are so small I would feel comfortable with the classes. Why not talk to some parents whose children have been in these classes and find out how they felt about them.

Answer 3

I've been teaching in a private school for 7 years. We have group classes as well. Mine is High School, 9th-12th. Also, I was raised in just such a school. I actually feel it is beneficial in many ways. Those who are slow learners are able to get all the review they need while fast learners can move ahead quicker. I'm not sure how your school operates, but ours is all about the individual. No two students are on exactly the same level. I find a much lower level of jealousy and unhealthy competition (there is such), when every child realizes he/she is unique and getting exactly what they need to grow.

Answer 4

Small is no problem.

I went to a low budget school where the 4th graders taught the 3rd graders and so on.

The school started with two teachers and I was the only student. In order to keep the teachers busy, I had to double up on my hours.

I majored in math. However, I still get short changed when I go to Wendy's.

Good luck.

Answer 5

We went via this with our 8 twelve months old. First because of the fact he began out doing nicely and has because of the fact slipped consult with him and the academics and verify he's not dissatisfied approximately something or not something has handed off at school. 2nd while my daughter is in 4th grade and that i comprehend the artwork has gotten extra durable on her because of the fact the twelve months has went on she breezed throughout the time of the 1st 0.5 slightly examining and now she has a e book each and every nighttime it takes some young babies longer to alter. Now my son is a fairly intelligent new child and formerly he could go away for college we could omit spelling words etc and he knew them he could pass to college and fail the try, grew to become in papers 0.5 finished etc all because of the fact he replaced into purely being lazy. We threatened, took away each and every thing, grounded him something we could we did and not something worked so as a replace I went to bribery, we could be on the keep and he could ask for a movie or something and that i instructed him while he further living house a passing grade on the try he could get it and day after as we talk he further living house an A on a try. you comprehend your son extra desirable than all people esls, you're able to look deep and notice what gets his interest extra, some young babies could care much less approximately loosing fabric issues fairly boys as they might entertain themselves particularly devoid of it so decide what it extremely is he needs, is there a pastime arising he could desire to pass to, a social gathering for a chum etc and then use that to get him to earnings, grant him funds for each sturdy grade yet tell him he owes you for each undesirable grade and then save on with it.

Answer 6

Composite classes are a good thing, but they need a good teacher. One that can multitask and function with teaching two lessons at once.

Answer 7

This can be a real blessing, it allows the smarter first graders to be exposed to the more advanced material and the second graders who can benefit from review to relearn.

Answer 8

very very bad. also, i think the teacher's going to be a little overwhelmed teaching two grades.