As we headed out the door on Friday, one of the fifth graders observed that it felt "like we never left" for summer. Indeed, even by the second day of school, everything seemed "normal" (except, perhaps, for my need for a nap!) How could it be that just a few hours into our year, a cohesive group of learners — laughing, working, sharing ideas — had emerged?
Multi-age classrooms are amazing. They are a hallmark of progressive education and emblematic of the idea that learning doesn't just come from the teacher in a progressive classroom. From the moment the fifth graders greet the new Herons on the plaza, they are subtly communicating the expectations of being a 4/5 at Prairie Creek. Some of these expectations are behavioral, to be sure. Fifth graders know when it's okay to be silly and when we need to settle in to work. They will give a gentle reminder to a new Heron to be quiet during instructions or when someone is sharing. But the fifth graders also model curiosity and wonder. They get excited by their work and model engagement to their new peers.
They are also kind. Throughout the week fifth graders went out of their way to support their new peers. Favorite games and activities were brought out and shared. New partners received welcoming smiles. Old traditions were patiently explained.
It would be impossible for me to communicate our class culture as effectively as the fifth graders do. If I had twenty brand new Herons, I would be trying to tell them who we were going to be. Instead, our ten new Herons get to experience who we are.
More scenes from our first week – sharing habit of mind stories from the summer, interviewing each other and categorizing stamps from around the world. You can make images larger by clicking on them:
The Rookery 
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