<p>I hear you on the changes. I taught a multi-age grade 1/2/3, which is also what my children were in (I taught at their elem school before they were born but not when they attended). Every year they were in multi age classrooms. The school has changed to two year multi age rooms, so they have classes like grade 1/2, 3/4, 4/5, 2/3, 5/6. While there are more standards to meet and all, and it has changed since I taught there, I still believe that they do not teach strictly to tests. When I taught, I taught completely individualized and differentiated curriculum and also thematic integrated curriculum. I used no text books, though utilized some math workbooks for the practice level but all concepts were taught hands-on. I know there are more ‘series’ used now in my kids’ old school than when they attended (I know as I still substitute there even though my kids are now in college). But the basic principles of meeting individual needs, integrating curriculum and so on, still exist. I had more freedom back when I taught and so there are some aspects of the changes that I don’t like so much but overall, my kids’ elementary school is really great. No complaints. I wish the middle and high school were as good and as tuned into individual learning needs. </p>
<p>I have to say that when I do go into the local elementary schools even today, they still do a GREAT deal of one to one work with students, and in very small groups. Our schools value small class size. There are often several adults in the room and so there is a lot of individualized attention. There are one to one reading and writing conferences. That is just one example. When I taught, every child’s spelling word list was individualized. No two kids had the same list. Every marking period, I wrote a narrative evaluation on every child to their parents. I spent hours each afternoon and night and weekend, planning creative activities, lessons and individualizing and didn’t follow any set curriculum or book. My job involved so many countless hours (not complaining) which is why I discontinued when I had my own kids. Now, I put that same kind of individualized help into the college applicant students I counsel, lol. In fact, I better get back to work. Anyway, getting off topic. </p>
<p>My class had Halloween parties, celebrated birthdays and Valentine’s. Other cooking projects were not all sweets but related to the integrated theme at the time.</p>