Why should multigrade programs be supported and improved?
The Philippines continues to prioritize inclusive and equitable quality education
for all. Multigrade schools have been formed to bring education closer to
school-age children who live in distant, difficult-to-reach, underserved, and
sparsely inhabited areas. We need to support this program because we cannot
denied the fact that it is not as easy as one-is-to-one grade level ratio for a
teachers. They need to perform twice the task depending on the grade level
they are handling with. Different approaches-different level of understanding, so
the teacher must be flexible enough to execute the different style of learning
through differentiated instruction for the diverse learners. Supporting this
program includes giving free seminars for the teachers assigned on this
multigrade level for their professional growth and adaptation of the trends in
teaching multigrade to caters the needs of these learners. They are learning
simultaneously, both together and apart. It sounds trickier than it really is. But we
may also improve this by Re-teaching and pre-teaching: As they see and learn
from lessons being delivered to younger pupils, kids are constantly exposed to
re-teaching. Even if a kid could be working at a more advanced level, this
review of the fundamentals helps to confirm and make sense of what they
already understand. Pre-teaching is another method that is taught to pupils
(eavesdropping on classes and conversations with older students). It eases the
burden of advancing to higher grades while both stimulating and preparing the
younger child's thought process.
How can the pre-service teachers be prepared for a possible opportunity to
teach in the multigrade classes?
On the fourth year of being a college student in teacher education, they will be
having a practicum to be called “In- Campus and Off-Campus Practice
Teaching”. By this means, teacher-education student will be prepared and
experienced a realia of what and how to truly become a teacher. This is a
preparation for a real scenario in entering the world of teaching specifically
when you’re about to assigned to become a multigrade teacher. The first and
foremost quality need to possess must be being adaptable or flexible. Since the
teacher develops adaptable and relevant resources, it is one of the most
significant classroom tactics in multigrade teaching. Teacher-guided activity
sheets, group learning worksheets, and individual practice worksheets are
examples of these.
HARNESS: With the understanding of the learners, how could you
incorporate technology in the teaching of the different macro skills?
Listening: When it comes to incorporating the use of technology in teaching to
this macro skills, the use of watching and listening to an educational videos is
the best example specifically in the elementary level where they can learn
through video presentation and when they heard sounds, they can easily
remember it.
Reading: The use of technology through printing the reading materials is the
most benefit to be counted in using technology in teaching.
Writing: When some learners want to improve their writing skill, using technology
through searching for a sample phrases, sentences and paragraph of what they
want to know about is the biggest impart of technology in this skill. Especially
when some learners are about to attend a writing contest. It takes more
preparation so by having a research as an advance knowledge of what they
will be going to write is the best contribution of technology.
Speaking: When someone is hesitant to speak a single word for they are not
confident enough if the pronunciation is right, they tend to use the technology
to research for a sample pronunciation that serve as their guide. So as when
someone will be able to deliver a piece in a contest, Youtube can guide them
with the proper pronunciation and execution of their body.