Merriam's current loops are K-1, 2-3, 4-5 with 6th grade as a stand-alone year. Looping has been around since the 1900s and there is much research, which praises its benefits.
- One of the more obvious benefits is that looping fosters a safe, nurturing climate where problem solving, risk taking, and active involvement are encouraged.
- A strong sense of community is built among student, teacher, and family members.
- Anxiety about the new school is virtually eliminated for the second year in a loop.
- Other benefits include extra teaching time, as “getting-to-know-you time” is unnecessary during the second year.
- Students have more time to develop critical social skills and practice cooperative group strategies.
- Teachers gain a deeper knowledge about a child’s intellectual strengths and weaknesses that is not possible during a single year together.
- At Merriam we believe that the long-term relationships that are developed as a result of looping are incredibly valuable to a child’s education and development.
Below are links to research articles around Looping:
Looping at One Elementary School.pdf
Looping ECE.pdf
Looping- An Empirical Evaluation.pdf
Teacher & Parent Perspectives on Looping.pdf
The Effects of Looping on the Academic Achievement of Elementary.pdf