Multi-grade Teaching in a Small Rural School in Northern Norway

Abstract

This chapter investigates multi-grade teaching in a small rural school in Northern Norway. The aims of the chapter are to show what characterizes the teaching practices in a multi-grade school in a small rural community, and how these practices enable inclusion and adapted education. The chapter gives a brief insight into parts of the Norwegian framework for education; the Education Act and the Core- and Subject Curricula, and theory about didactical tools that are useful in multi-grade school settings. The data were collected during a visit to a small rural school. The field work lasted two full days and included observations of classroom sessions, participation at recess and informal talks with the teachers. Findings show that the three didactical tools student group formation/subject organizing, peer-learning and pupils’ personal working plans are useful when conducting multi-grade teaching in a small school with few pupils. Alongside the subject orientation, the chapter also discusses the Norwegian Core curriculum’s focus on social learning and how this is an important fourth element when working towards a practice that is inclusive and adapted to the individual pupil.