Blended Classrooms

Forest Hills has blended classrooms.  Students from two grade levels are taught in the same classroom.  Students are taught at their instructional level (continuous progress), which can be independent of their grade level.  The goal is to have students stay with the same homeroom teacher for two years, however, requests for change at the end of the first year are considered.  The curriculum is designed to provide opportunities for students to learn and achieve to their maximum capability.
 
Regardless of classroom configurations, teachers are faced with a variety of abilities and readiness-levels among any group of students.  For example, while one first-grader may need reinforcement of phonics skills in preparation for reading, another may already be reading at a third grade level.  Teachers recognize that a child’s individual development plays a major role in determining how and when learning takes place.  No matter what the chronological age span of students, teachers structure curriculum and organize the classroom to address the ability range of students in order to maximize their learning.
 
Blended classrooms, by definition, capitalize on this approach.  Teachers are committed to assessing the abilities of their students and providing the corresponding opportunities for learning.  By using the same strategies that are most effective in teaching single grade classes, teachers focus on the continuous progress of their students.
 
There are other benefits.  All students have the opportunity to have a mentor and be mentored.  Students become more accepting of age and achievement differences.  Teachers notice fewer behavioral problems.  Students in blended classrooms outperform their single-grade counterparts in the areas of emotional and social growth on nearly every measure.