Getting Started

At Stratford Elementary School, we transitioned from the traditional single grade structure to multiage classrooms with co-teaching. Teachers have co-planning blocks built into the school day every day and the co-planning blocks have been the key to making the co-teaching work well. In multiage classrooms with co-teaching, teachers are teaching for deep understanding, teaching for learner differences, and using assessment to inform instruction, three of the Characteristics of Effective Instruction (START) identified in the Iowa CORE Curriculum. We're working on making our interdisciplinary themes in social studies and science project based to create classrooms that are rigorous, relevant, and student centered, the other two Characteristics of Effective Instruction (START). Changing the structure, providing time for teachers to collaborate during the day, and providing time for professional growth and development during the school year and during the summer have made a big difference in how teachers at Stratford Elementary School teach.