Merfolk has Expanded to a 1st/2nd Split Classroom

Merfolk has expanded 

We are now a 1st and 2nd split class.

We are looking forward to begin sharing our classroom with our new friends this week.

Here are some known researched benefits of being in a split-class (blended grade level):

Split-grade students are less competitive with one another and more cooperative as they learn to work together, supporting each other.

Children learn at different paces.  Blended classes offer a wider range of curricula across 2 grade levels.  Advanced students can be more easily challenged with higher-level material; struggling students can more easily return to earlier material.

Younger children gain self-confidence and maturity by being exposed to older students; older students learn to be positive, mature role models for the younger students.

Students in blended classrooms tend to take greater personal responsibility for their learning.
There is greater peer-to-peer learning in blended classrooms.

Students develop friendships across grade levels and blended classrooms instill a greater sense of responsibility for one another, and a better sense of community.  As one teacher tells her students, “we are like a family, who cares for one another.” It's like having big or little siblings.