Why is Woodland a Mixed-Age School?
Researchers Jay Feldman, Peter Gray and others have observed many benefits to a mixed-age classroom: reduced competition, increased compassion and creativity, and opportunities for leadership and role modeling by older children. It is important to remember also that implicit in the terminology “mixed-age” is mixed-level as well. We use the words “younger” and “older” as generalizations, but various ability levels also add complexity and richness to a mixed-age environment. In families, friendships, and jobs throughout people’s lives, we most often interact with people of varying ages and abilities. Therefore, a mixed-age classroom seems the most natural. It only makes sense that we would strive for that kind of environment in our children’s school. In a mixed-age classroom, children are aware of each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and talents, yet they are less likely to compare themselves based on age. A seven year-old who is able to decode words but is not yet an avid reader will not
