Big ideas are like children – if they are to truly thrive, they must be encouraged and nurtured with wisdom and care.
That’s why educators and academics who study classroom effectiveness put small-group instruction at the top of their “best practices” lists.
Unfortunately, while there’s no disagreement about the positive outcomes that follow consistent, well-implemented small-group instruction, there is a remarkable underutilization of the practice throughout the United States. In her 2008 article, “When Fewer is More: Small Groups in Early Childhood Classrooms,” researcher Barbara Wasik writes, “Small group instruction is important yet it is one of the most underused strategies in early childhood classrooms [emphasis mine].”
This underutilization of small-group instruction greatly inhibits the potential growth of our kids in areas that are so crucial to success in the 21st century– skills such as creativity, communication, and critical-thinking. “Reading books and teaching early literacy, math and science concepts are most effective if done in small groups,” states Wasik. Small-group instruction affords skilled teachers the opportunity to give students individualized attention that will allow them to truly thrive.
In my experience as a teacher, as an administrator, and during my doctoral studies in education, I’ve also found this to be true for “tweens” and teens. Students learn best from teachers who know them. This is most effectively accomplished with small-group instruction.
At Legacy, the dedicated teachers and administrators know that even the littlest people can have big ideas. That’s why Legacy’s small-group instructional model is so special. Based on “center rotations,” with groups of eight students learning either with their teacher or teaching assistant, or at their desks for independent work, center rotations allow for increased opportunities for more-individualized teaching time. Legacy children are encouraged and provided the resources to think deeply about the world around them and this small-group instruction model ensures that those “big ideas” are cultivated and cared for, just like the little students who came up with them in the first place.
Dr. Matthew Northrop is the assistant principal at Legacy Christian Academy. For more information, please call 661-257-7377.