ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the advantages and disadvantages of self-contained or team teaching approaches for classroom structure in terms of what is best for the children and appropriate for the teacher(s). The self-contained and team teaching classroom structures are defined. Team teaching models are cautioned against using departmentalization strategies. Guiding questions are offered for educators to consider in their decision making. Teachers are asked to take into account the developmental range of children, how they can build community, how they integrate learning goals, how they can nurture life-long learning, and their use of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies. Models of curriculum integration are suggested. Whether self-contained or team teaching, teachers are advised to reconcile their beliefs on behalf of children in respect to multiage philosophy or both multiage structures will be problematic. The chosen structures will only be as effective as the teachers within them and the philosophy they embrace.
