Composite classes...What do you think??

[nothing2lose]

DD is in Grade 4 next year. Today I found out she has been placed in a 3/4 composite class. To be honest, I am less than happy. I am seriously thinking of getting it changed tomorrow.

Has anyone had a child in a composite class? What was your experience?

Thanks

[Jewel]

I don't have much to offer. I was against this in the beginning for my boy but when he was in a 1/2 class it was alright actually but he was in year 1 so maybe it's a bit different when you're in the higher grade.
This year he was in a straight year 2 class, but next year he'll be in a 3/4 class, but again in the lower grade.

Maybe if he got separated from his bestie things might be different, but he hasn't so far so fingers crossed for next year that it doesn't happen.

I'm sorry I'm not much help. Hopefully your DD has a great year at school either way.

[nothing2lose]

Thanks Jewel. I think I would be happier if she was in the lower grade. She is ahead of her year level academically but she has ADHD. I just think it would be very counterproductive having her in a class with younger children.

[Jewel]

Depends on the teacher too, I think. It's such a hard decision.

[Floweryfields]

I was always under the impression that they would only put children who would 'cope' in a composite class - as in students slightly ahead of their peers in learning. That probably is totally wrong though.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

As a child I was in composite classes - a 4/5 (in Y4) and a 5/6 (in Y6). I am pro them, despite the 4/5 year being the worst of my primary life (due to the teacher). You learn more socially, the academics aren't that much of an issue as a decent teacher will plan on how to stretch the more able anyway so have extra, harder activities. There's a huge range of abilities in that age group anyway, so a bright Y5 will be brighter than a slower Y6. A slower Y6 won't be the bottom of the class all year, even if they are bottom of the Y6 group. If you're top of the older class, you would be no matter who you're with... so does it matter who you're with?

[Beach Mama]

Just further to TFB's post - you can also get a really really broad range in some grades where in a 3/4 for eg. the lowest 4 could be with the lowest 3s and your brightest 3 could be brighter than all the 4's? So just because it is based on age, it is more about the ability groups within the grade itms?

[Phteven]

My son was in a composite class this year. He really enjoyed it. He made friends with children from grade 2 who he wouldn't have got as close to in a non-composite class. For Arts rotations the whole junior school get split into groups to work together. I think the older students benefit from getting a chance to be leaders.

Here are some links about mixed classes that the school sent us ay some point
http://www.oup.com.au/learning_excha...posite_classes
Gilmore Primary School | Organisational Structure
http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/media/.../multi_age.pdf

[Beach Mama]

Many schools have composites, purely on numbers at times. VELS in Victoria is based on a 2 year model so it does make some sense curriculum wise. As a teacher, it is really interesting because I view kids as individuals, sometimes I forget which kids are in grade 3 and which are in 4 for eg. simply because I treat them on a level that they are at, not where they "technically" are ITMS.

There are definite pros and cons for both, I would be talking to the school about your concerns and the reasons why they have placed her in a 3/4, as you will probably find that it has been very well thought out and kids are not just randomly placed if they aren't going to cope. If she has ADHD the teachers would also be aware of this and have taken it into account when placing her in the grade.

Good luck!

[AnyDream]

My DD has been in composite classes and tbh it has never been an issue. In fact the worst year she had was in a straight yr 3 class because the teacher was a complete slackarse, and that was in a school where a lot of the really good teachers has the composite classes, presumably because they could handle the complexity better than the slackarse teacher could.
I'm sure some teachers will be along to comment soon but often in a straight class they are already teaching to a number of skill levels anyway, and the age mix gives more options to the kids socially too.

[RhiChiChi]

My sister is a teacher and usually in composite classes. She just caters for all the childrens different needs. I think your DD will be fine

[onthefly]

I was in a few composite classes as a child (eons ago, yes) and it was fine To be honest I don't really remember noticing any difference.
I'm sure it does depend on the teacher, either way - my 'dead' year was year 4 as teacher was completely incompetent. but even that didn't seem to harm me too much