Combined+Grade+Resources

Just a start at getting us some resources to help us teach in a combined grade classroom. Please add to the list.

 From the Ministry of Education in Ontario
 * Combined Grades: K - 6 : Some good advice on planning, but nothing concrete to take away. Some advice on classroom make up that should be standard for all classroom types, not just combined grades.
 * What Works? Research Into Practice. Combined Grades : Very nice research monograph by Diane Lataille-Démor from l'École des sciences de l’éducation of Université Laurentienne. It's theory, but nice theory.
 * An Introduction to Combined Grades : Ministry pamphlet explaining combined grades to parents. Be prepared to answer questions if you hand this one out.

 That's the sum total of the dedicated combined grade resources from the Ministry of Education of Ontario. They would rightly point out that the differentiated instruction initiative is perfectly suited for combined grades. It is. We just need some basic resources as well.

From Brodie's Website

 * Combined Grade Curriculum Units : 3 math units, 2 science units (including the Teddy Bears' Picnic), 2 large reading lessons, and one integrated language/ICT unit. All good for combined grades. Some are in beta form so feel free to add to them or change them.

From Curriculum Services Canada

 * ECO Footprints : Very cool science unit. Good for any combined grade from 1 - 8! Get it now. Consider lobbying CSC for more of these units.

From the College of Teachers

 * Who knew? There is an AQ for teaching in combined grades. Here's the AQ prospectus . Here are the current providers as of May, 2010.

From the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario
 *   A Teacher's Guide to Combined Grades: Learning Together is publication of ETFO and is available here. At $34.50 it is a bargain just for the lesson plan and assessment templates let alone the advice that ranges from how to set up your class to how to program for combined grades.