NJ School Unveils Plan For Combined 3rd And 4th Grade Class

HAZLET, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The first classes in America started with a one-room school house for all ages. Now, a New Jersey town is trying something old, with a new twist.

As CBS2's Christine Sloan reported, the Lillian Drive Elementary School in Hazlet plans to introduce a new concept next year. One classroom that combines third and fourth graders.

"Educational needs are changing and out students are changing, so it's an initiative to think outside the box," Principal, Kathleen Matsutani said.

About 15 students will be in a pilot program that focuses on new technology, including iPads.

"We're going to be using Google classroom, which is a learning management system that will house all the digital curriculum and allow the students to interact anytime, anywhere," Greg Farley said.

Students can tutor each other, or ask the teacher for help on homework by video conferencing.

"I think you can have a mentor relationship between fourth graders to third graders and I think third graders also see what they become by developing relationships with their mentors," Matsutani said.

The program will have what's called a genius hour, a concept developed by Google for its employees. Students will be able to work on their own ideas in fields like science or even journalism.

"We get to do research projects," third grader, Emily Walsh explained.

Walsh was accepted into the modern day classroom.

"She likes working at her own pace. She like to work with technology. A lot of this class gives the opportunity to work with all of those components," her father Brian said.

Superintendent Bernard Bragen and the board of education came up with the idea. He said the non-traditional class will allow students to achieve more.