Grade Change

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Home : 2001 : December : 27

Grade Change
By Joy

Hi Marissa,

I've been teaching third grade in New York State for five years. Before moving to third I taught K and 5th grade. I must say that you are very lucky to have been approached by your administrator and offered
a choice. Even if there is a retirement, that does not guarantee an open position in my district. We are notified each year on the 15th of June if our grade level will be changed. Needless to say we are always watching the enrollment and making lots of guesses while we sit on needles and pins waiting for the big announcement.

It sounds like you have some really great options

available to you. Fourth grade is VERY SIMILAR to third. The only real difference is a little more independence and the curriculum is unique. If you really like third, you will probably do very well in fourth. Plus, most of your teacher materials can be very easily adapted to grade 4.

Now, Kindergarten on the other hand is a completely new world but SO MUCH FUN!!!! I would go back to teaching K in a heart beat. A few years ago I was offered a K position and like you I was a little unsure of it. I hold a PREK-6 certificate but I really had no training for early childhood. In fact I student taught a full school year at 2nd and 4th but I had no experience below grade 2.
I worked very hard in K and I learned so much. The key to being successful in K is excellent classroom management. You will need to maintain a very productive classroom. When I taught K many years ago, the internet was not available as a resource. Now you will have a wealth of information right at your fingertips.

I think that you'll really have to sit down and take a serious look at the positives and negatives. I wish you lots of luck with this very important decision. If I can assist you further please do not hesitate to email me.

Happy Teaching!
Joy