CONT824: Teaching Combined Grades

Course Schedule

Course Description

This course will help you develop strategies to plan, teach and manage combined grade classrooms. You will reflect on and develop skills to navigate the challenges of teaching in combined grade classroom contexts, while promoting a positive, safe and equitable learning environment. You will explore culturally relevant teaching methods, Indigenous perspectives and diverse worldviews. You will practice the principles of backward design to create comprehensive unit plans that include culminating tasks, assessment strategies and detailed lesson plans. The course also emphasizes establishing a positive and engaging learning environment based on inclusive practices, technology integration, project-basedlearning and inquiry. These strategies deepen and create real-world connections in combined grade learning environments. You will consolidate your learning and share your expertise by creating a professional learning presentation that highlights curriculum planning, classroom management, assessment, support strategies and culturally relevant pedagogy for combined grade classrooms.

What You Will Learn and Do

In this course, you’ll have the opportunity to

• understand the history and challenges of combined grade classrooms
• compare and evaluate research findings 
• investigate and apply culturally responsive teaching approaches
• explore Indigenous perspectives and deepen understanding and respect for diverse worldviews
• understand different learning needs and implement inclusive teaching strategies to support all learners
• analyze various curriculum documents, compare and cluster curriculum expectations for multiple grade levels, and effectively plan units and lessons for combined grade classrooms
• develop instructional strategies and learning environment accommodations for combined grade classrooms
• develop assessment strategies to monitor learner progress and achievement 
• examine the use of technology in a combined grade classroom
• reflect on professional growth in the context of combined grade classroom teaching

Application Requirements

OCT membership.

Course Materials

Accommodations

Applicants who require accommodations for a specific learning need (e.g., learning disability) within their AQ/ABQ course, should click here for further information and support.

Have a question? Contact us!

Refund Schedule

If you drop a course:

1. by the midpoint of the course, you will receive 100% of your course fee.
2. after the midpoint, before the end of the course, you will receive 50% of your course fee.

For more about our refund policies, visit our Fees & Refunds page.