The development of a multigrade learning action cell toolkit supports the implementation of DepEd Order No. 35, s. 2016, enjoining all regions in the country to implement the Learning Action Cell for teachers, or LAC as a platform for teachers’ continuing professional development at the school level. While the Department of Education (DepEd) provided our schools with the materials for the conduct of LAC sessions, such materials were not designed for multigrade setting. The activities were geared towards teaching monograde classes and did not consider the existence and unique needs of multigrade classes.
The lack of specific multigrade training has a bearing on the multigrade teachers’ teaching practices. Their multidimensional tasks require enthusiasm and creativity in teaching and managing multigrade classes. They need to be regularly trained and provided with a sufficient support system in teaching so they can teach effectively in a multigrade setting. Literature indicates that multigrade teachers are confronted with many curricular challenges, as they have to teach two or more grades at the same time using more than one curriculum in different learning areas (Joyce 2014; and Lapuz, 2008). When teachers are well-prepared and well-trained to teach children of varying ages and abilities, then both the teachers and the learners will enjoy the experience together. If children are to learn effectively in multigrade settings, teachers need to be constantly well-trained, well-resourced, well-supported, and to hold a positive attitude to multigrade teaching.
Creating Better Learning Experiences with LAC
A learning action cell toolkit is an innovative way of helping teachers collaborate more effectively and efficiently. Through this plan, educators are encouraged to break into smaller collectives where they can share resources, ideas, and strategies that can be used in their classrooms. By uniting educators with a common focus or subject area, the learning cell plan provides a platform to exchange knowledge while simultaneously enabling the development of occupational skills. This is why SEAMEO INNOTECH has created Multigrade LAC Resource Materials for Teachers.
What are the LAC Resource Materials for Multigrade Teachers?
LAC Resource Materials for Multigrade Teachers are comprehensive, educator-created lesson plans that make it easy for teachers to guide their students through learning activities. These materials focus on a variety of topics including language arts, math, and life skills. They also feature activities rooted in global perspectives such as culture and the environment. With these tools, multigrade teachers can help children develop creative problem-solving abilities in an interactive way. The lessons come with detailed visuals and activities that empower students to take ownership of their learning process.
The Multigrade LAC Resource Materials for Multigrade Teachers will provide many opportunities for multigrade teachers to become effective classroom teachers. The different session guides were designed to address several issues on the implementation of K to 12 Curriculum in multigrade schools, specifically, on instructional planning, instructional delivery such as on the use of ICT tools, and monitoring and evaluation of school performance.
To enable multigrade teachers to integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the teaching and learning process, sessions on ICT integration were designed, particularly Session Guides 6 and 10. These LAC materials will help teachers better understand the process of selection and creation of appropriate and effective ICT materials to enhance the development of learning competencies for multigrade learners. They are intended to help strengthen the delivery of multigrade instruction and to maximize the use of School-in-a Bag (SIAB) technological learning packages as an example of ICT educational tools that were provided to fifty multigrade schools in Region VIII under the SDMG R8 project. As an alternative, the session guides were deliberately designed in place of the capacity-building opportunities on ICT integration of DepEd personnel in Region VIII, following the withdrawal of the plan due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Hence, the integration of ICT into LAC materials will not only provide ICT learning opportunities to multigrade teachers in Region VIII but also other multigrade teachers in different regions of the country.
Objectives
One of the primary objectives of the learning action cell for teachers in the Philippines is to provide quality professional development materials, enabling teachers to become experts in teaching multigrade classes. The materials are available in both physical and digital formats, making them accessible to all learners, regardless of where they live.
Furthermore, these materials were created with a focus on best practices in the field and with an aim to reduce the amount of time needed to search for or create relevant content.
Finally, they are designed to help teachers customize instructional strategies based on their students’ individual needs and proficiency levels. With all this in mind, teachers will find that this resource has an invaluable contribution to make in their educational practice.
Benefits
Multigrade teachers strive to meet the educational needs of learners with diverse abilities, skills and learning preferences while paying attention to their individual needs. LAC Resource Materials aid in this endeavor by providing multigrade teachers with comprehensive resources that promote authentic, meaningful, and inquiry based learning.
The available materials range from detailed lesson plans to interactive games; these resources equip educators with materials that make it easy for them to create lessons and activities tailored to their students’ specific needs. This ensures multi grade teachers have excellent content-specific material on hand as they work relentlessly towards delivering a quality education to students in their classes.
LAC materials also help develop inclusivity, creativity, problem-solving skills and critical thinking among even the most reluctant learners, thus strengthening the prospects of successful student outcomes.
Download the LAC Resource Materials
This training kit for multigrade schools is designed by the Department of Education (DepEd) initiated by the Bureau of Learning Delivery (BLD) through the Teaching and Learning Division (TLD). It is specially prepared for use by multigrade teachers nationwide during the conduct of the school-based LAC session.
Download the school learning action cell plan PDF developed by SEAMEO INNOTECH today!
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LAC Resource Materials for Multigrade Teachers
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