WOH, Tuesday March 17, 2025
Teaching and Learning in a Split Grade
by Elonna Visser, 2nd & 3rd Grade Teacher
Second and third grades were combined this year, and it’s been exciting to witness firsthand the powerful learning and social opportunities it has created for students!
In every elementary classroom, students are already working at different levels, and a split grade class naturally embraces this reality. Instruction can often be more flexible and differentiated, which benefits both those who need extra support and those who are ready for enrichment. Students understand that everyone is growing — just at different rates.
Split grades also have a built-in mentorship model. Older students develop leadership skills, strengthen their confidence, and deepen their understanding by explaining concepts to younger peers. Younger students are exposed to advanced thinking, see clear models of expectations, and gain confidence from peer support.
Split-grade classrooms require students to develop independence. While one grade level receives direct instruction, the other may work on meaningful, self-directed tasks. Students learn time management, responsibility, problem-solving skills, and self-regulation. These are lifelong skills that extend beyond elementary school.
And finally, students benefit from an increased social network. It was amazing to see how organically this took place in our classroom! Students learn to collaborate with different perspectives, communicate across age groups, and support one another’s growth. These social-emotional benefits are just as important as academic ones.
The students this year have shown leadership, independence, confidence, and community — all while supporting academic growth. They’re a great example of how a split grade classroom is not about dividing attention, but multiplying opportunity!
