Primary school structure

Multi-grade teaching practices in Austrian and Finnish primary schools

We looked at teaching practices used in multi-grade classes.

We used bi-national teacher narratives as data.

We found two main practices: to reduce or capitalize on students’ heterogeneity.

The results contribute to the awareness of the potential of multi-grade teaching.

This article describes the teaching strategies used in multi-grade classes in five small rural primary schools in Austria and Finland on the basis of the content analysis of transcribed teacher interviews. Two main types of strategies were identified: practices that (1) aim to reduce or (2) capitalize on students’ heterogeneity. The results illustrate how differently multi-grade teaching can be realized and how it can effectively support individual student learning. The findings are discussed with regard to teacher education with the intention of increasing the awareness of the professional skills required in high-quality teaching practices in multi-grade teaching.

Keywords

  • Curriculum;
  • Differentiation;
  • Multi-grade teaching;
  • Narrative inquiry;
  • Peer tutoring;
  • Rural school

1. Introduction

This article seeks to contribute to the discussion of rural education and teaching in multi-grade classes by reporting an investigation into the teaching strategies used by teachers of such classes in rural primary schools. The main focus is on small schools in Austria and Finland, defined in our study as schools with fewer than fifty students. In general, small schools are rural primary schools. They usually employ two or three teachers who teach different grades in the same classroom; this is called multi-grade or multi-age teaching. Concern over the closure of small schools and the related reduction in multi-grade teaching has motivated research on the subject. The contributions in the edited volume on multi-grade teaching based on the “Second International Multi-grade Teaching Conference” showed that multi-grade teaching is common throughout the world, in both developed and developing countries. The conference was held in Bangkok in September 2004. Accordingly, the International Journal of Educational Research highlighted the importance of rural school studies by publishing a special issue on the topic in 2009 that included reviews of research on rural schools and their communities in Norway, Sweden, Finland, England, and Scotland. The review articles were, however, based on studies conducted ten years ago or more, and thus the need for new and diverse research is clear.

Text Structures From the Masters: 50 Lessons and Nonfiction Mentor Texts to Help Students Write Their Way In and Read Their Way Out of Every Single Imaginable Genre, Grades 6-10 (Corwin Literacy)
Book (Corwin)
You might also like:
Living willow dome building at Kilbarchan Primary School
Living willow dome building at Kilbarchan Primary School
Teaching with Michelle Clarke at Hillside Primary School
Teaching with Michelle Clarke at Hillside Primary School
Eshops Flowers Pattern Primary School Bookbag Girls Backpack Book Bags Rose Red
Toy ()
  • Material: Oxford fabric
  • Dimensions: 11.0 L x 16.5 H x 6.3 W
  • Sweet floral printing backpack
  • Structure: 1 x main layer, 1 x subordinate layer, 1 x front layer, 1 x outer zipper pouch, 1 x inner zipper bag, 2 x outer mesh pocket
  • Suitable for girls in school, travel or other outdoor activities
Primary Structure Technical School / Primary Skills
Primary Structure Technical School / Primary Skills
Fee Structure Of Primary Schools || The Headline Show on
Fee Structure Of Primary Schools || The Headline Show on ...
Tdou 15 Parts Primary and Secondary School Education of 26cm Torso Model Human Anatomy Organ Structure Model
BISS (Tdou)
  • Height: 26 cm small torso anatomical model (applicable to primary and secondary schools teaching) Can be broken up into 15 pieces.
  • 15 more visceral: trunk, the brain, heart, (2) the trachea and esophagus aorta, pulmonary (4 pieces), head cover, the stomach and the diaphragm, liver, pancreas...
  • The unique design The female anatomy of the chest; Pure manual coloured drawing or pattern.
  • Hand painting; PVC containers
  • 26 cm torso model
PENGLIN Pupil Primary School Student Colorful Three-Wheeled Pull Rod Adjustable Disassembled Bag Large Capacity Unisex Shoulder Bag (Dark Blue)
Apparel (PENGLIN)
  • Ddual purpose, pull rod disassembled, can be used as a rog bag or shoulder bag
  • Aluminium alloy made tough rod, four levels adjustable:(52-94 cm); high grade wearproof flashing wheel, smooth rolling for stairs climbing or messy road
  • Free installed widened wear-resisting stable boom plate, support up to 40 kg
  • Reflective stripe design, warning effective distance for driver up to 1 meters, all-round security guaranteed even on cloudy foggy days
  • High-density waterproof fabric, wear-resisting and aging resistance;High quality dual zipper puller, more convenient and easy to pull
Draconite Draconite Medium Black Denim Canvas Unisex Cool Primary School Students Dayback Kids Backpacks
Sports (Draconite)
  • PROMOTION: Enter code JOLA3VI2 for 30% off for this Draconite Bag when you check out
  • PRODUCT STRUCTURE: Approx size: 12.2*5.7*16.5 inches, Capacity: 23 liters ( fits up to 14 Laptop ). A total of 6 pockets. 2 main compartments, 1 inter zipper layer...
  • HIGH QUALITY: The trendy solid school satchel is made of durable denim canvas, smooth and resistant print logo lining. High abrasion resistance, water repellent...
  • TRENDY DECORATION: One of the shoulder strap, the surface is adorned with colorful ribbons, while the left side pocket is decorated with pretty colorful ribbons
  • UNIQUE DESIGN: With durable double metal zippers across the backpack, the leather zipper shake handle is soft and comfortable, and the bottom and back of book bag...
Related Posts