Mixed-age classes and integration
Paul and Anne are children with normal learning abilities. Paul is seven years old and in the second grade. Anne is six years old and in the first grade. Both are in the same mixed-age group called “Lernfrösche” with a maximum of 18 students. Here they all learn together with the gifted Maria, who is in the first grade, and preschooler Gustav. To ensure that all the children reach the target set for their grade, they are separated within their learning group for a certain amount of time each day into same-age groups. As a 7-year old with normal learning abilities, Paul is in the second grade together with students his own age from his group “Lernfrösche” as well as from the second mixed-age group “Schlaufüchse”. Maria, who would normally be a first-grader, works with the second-graders because she is an exceptionally fast learner and is able to cope with the coursework.
At the PbG, students are taught in mixed-age groups. This means that two grades are always taught together in one class: grades 1 and 2, grades 3 and 4 as well as grades 5 and 6. Preschool children and children who will turn 6 soon after the start of the school year (so-called “Kann-Kinder”) are integrated in grade 1, provided they fulfill the necessary requirements.
Mixed-age classes have a twofold advantage: younger children learn from the older ones, and the older children develop social skills trying to set an example to the younger ones. These social or soft skills include team spirit and the ability to communicate and to deal with conflict. These skills are particularly valuable in later life, and the earlier they are trained, the better they develop.
For learning the basics – reading, writing and arithmetic – the children leave these mixed-age groups for a certain time each day to learn in groups of the same grade, taking into account the individual capabilities of slower and faster learners.
Moreover, the PbG offers the possibility of integrated classes. This means that in a class of 18 students a maximum of 3 children with minor learning disabilities can be integrated. Scientific research has shown that integrated lessons create favorable conditions for joint learning and give children a definite boost in developing and strengthening their social skills.