Help! My dughter was put in a 2/3 split class this year and I'm not sure about this!

My son and daughter were in the 2/3 split class. My daughter was in 2nd grade and my son was in 3rd. Before the year ended, the teacher informed me that there will be a 2/3 split class, so she asked me if it was ok with me to have my son in her class for the 2nd time, not because he was behind, but he was 1 of her advanced level student when my son was in her class in 2nd grade. The teacher collected only 4 advanced level 2nd graders from her class and the principal gathered 16 advanced level 1st graders to be in the following year's split class. In class, these 4 3rd graders were more independent in their studies, but also given enough quality time from the teacher about what they need to do in class, so as the 2nd graders. When it's time for math, the 3rd graders need to transfer to a full 3rd grade classroom, for 3rd grade level math lesson. I didn't have any problem with the teacher because she's organized, patient, and strong. When the year ended, both my kids had advanced level State test results. At the same time, though, I volunteered in the classroom, every week. You just need to communicate with the teacher how your child is doing. Also, ask your child how she feels being in a 2/3 split class, whether she's having a hard time or the teacher doesn't give enough attention to students that may need help or some issues happening being in 2nd or 3rd grade. Encouragement is what your child needs when she has ordeals with an upper grade or same grade classmate, that's what I did for both of my kids when they were in the split class. Good luck to you.

Depends on the reason for the existence of the split class. If it's due to enrollment numbers (which is the reason for many of these combo classes--not enough kids at either grade level to fill in a whole class, so they combine them), then it takes a really, really good teacher to make this work. Just imagine yourself in that position, trying to teach two complete and separate curricula at the same time. I'm not saying it can't be done well, but it's really challenging, and it takes a very strong teacher. Let's hope your daughter's teacher is one of them. (Unfortunately, in some schools combination classes end up with the least experienced teachers, because the teachers who know how difficult they can be don't want them.)

Some schools set up these combo classes with the idea that they benefit kids, allowing them to accelerate or slow down as needed while staying in one classroom. That can work really well if handled properly, and if children are chosen for this class structure based on their learning needs, but again, it takes a very strong teacher who knows what he or she is doing to make it work the way it's meant to work.

I'd suggest talking to the principal to get more information about why this class was created--if it's new this year, or if other grade levels don't have these combinations, it's likely a "make-do" arrangement based on enrollment numbers. If that's the case, ask a lot of questions about the teacher's experience with handling combination classes, and if you're not happy with the answers, request a transfer if you can.