Does anyone have a child in a combo class?

heyitsme

Combo classes are becoming more common in our district... there's at least one per age level. We get DD's class assignment on Friday and I'm actually hoping that she's in the K/1st combo class (she's going to be a 1st grader). While she's academically equal to her peers, she tends to lag a bit behind maturity-wise because she's close to the school cutoff date. I think a combo class would work best for her because she wouldn't stick out like a sore thumb in terms of maturity, but would still be with her peers/kids of her age and academic level. We shall see what happens, though!

For those of you who have experienced combo classes--any input on pros and cons?

DandelionMom

My DD is in a combined 3/4 class.  So far it has been wonderful for her and we haven't experienced any cons.  It is very nice that there is really no transition for her this year; she'll be starting 4th grade with the same teacher, in the same room, and with half of the same students. 

CubbyMama

I taught a 4/5 combo my first year teaching, and it was hard for me but it worked out great for the kids!  If the grade level standards are similar and the teacher is good about grouping kids, teaching whole-class where the standards overlap, etc. it can be a good thing.  One of my colleagues taught a 2/3 combo one year and said it's really difficult, because the standards are so different that you're really only able to teach one half of the class at a time while the other half works independently (and can't interrupt you to ask for help), so I can also see where that could be tough on the kids, but otherwise, I think it's like everything else: if the teacher is good, the kids will do great.  (And btw, I'm not necessarily saying *I* was good when I had one--it was my first year and I was pretty clueless!)