Science at IDS - A Multi-Age Phenomenon

For immediate release:
March 7, 2003
Tampa, Fla.

Teachers at Independent Day School - Corbett Campus are realizing good results from grouping third, fourth and fifth graders together in the same science classroom.

IDS Director of Studies Linda Wenzel says, "The multi-age concept works wonderfully. Students not only improve their academic skills, but also hone their social and communication skills, which are so important to their future success in the world. It's great for boosting the self-esteem of all ages. While the third graders are motivated to achieve at high levels, the older children have opportunities to develop their mentoring and leadership skills."

Each third, fourth and fifth grader at IDS is part of a multi-age group that meets twice a week for science lessons. Students mutually benefit from each other's skills creating a sense of community and belonging. Student expectations vary by grade.

Using a project/experiment-based discovery-learning model, the three-year program covers topics in physical, earth and life sciences. They are:


o Force and Motion: Simple Machines
o Solar System and the Universe
o Ecosystems and Biomes
o Scientific Variables
o Matter: Chemistry
o Light and Sound
o Human Body Systems
o Geology
o Energy: Magnetism and Electricity
o Models and Designs
o Structures of Life
o Water


The curriculum is based on the National Standards and Sunshine State Standards and classroom experiences are designed to engage students' interests, stimulate their curiosity and develop higher level thinking skills.

During the study of our solar system, fourth grader Stephen Gathman observed, "If the sun is about 600 times bigger than any planet in our galaxy, and it's a small star, I can't even imagine how big a normal star would be."

Using interactive teaching techniques (i.e., cooperative learning, hands-on activities) in a multi-age classroom capitalizes on the uninhibited sense of discovery in younger children.

For example, in class, students witness the force of inertia and Newton's First Law of Motion - an object in motion will continue in motion in a straight line at constant speed unless an unbalanced force acts on it. A large stone is placed on top of a toy car and then rolled down a ramp and into a barrier. The same is done a second time, but with a small stone on top. Noting that the lighter stone travels farther demonstrates how inertia acts on a stationery object and why it is so important for children to wear seat belts when traveling in a car.

According to middle school science teacher Gery Morey, IDS' multi-age science instruction "gives students a solid foundation in the three major fields of science -- life, earth, and physical -- and helps prepare them for the middle school labs by incorporating hands-on activities and problem solving challenges."

Believing that students learn in different ways is a key reason why IDS teachers use a variety of instructional strategies. This helps to ensure success for every learner.

Founded in 1968, IDS, recently renamed Independent Day School-Corbett Campus, is a fully accredited, nonsectarian, independent school located in northwest Hillsborough County. It serves 500 plus students in grades Pre-K through 8. At IDS, all children experience learning in a nurturing and highly academic environment focused on excellence and developing a positive self-concept. IDS-CC has become recognized as an exemplary school with over 900 visitors observing and learning from and with IDS-CC teachers. For more information about IDS, visit www.idsyes.com.

Contact: Dr. Joyce Burick Swarzman, Head of Independent Day School, Telephone: (813) 961-3087