switching grade levels

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Home : 2002 : August : 16

switching grade levels
By Lola

One thing that helped me was to organize a large web or graphic organizer of the various subject areas I taught--in general terms. Like animals, stars,rocks, for science; colonial days, pre-revolution, revolution for social;
reading skills I needed to cover (in general). I tried to correlate as much as I could--example stars and early explorers along with whatever 'discovery'type reading skills I could. I guess what I am trying to say is that I came up with a GENERAL theme with as much of my curriculum underneath it as I could. I left out Math because it was just too overwhelming to try to get that in

a theme area also. Then I planned a year long 'idea' of what I would be teaching in these theme areas and try to forecast where it would fall according to the seasons. ( I had to do a tree unit in the fall.) As the years went by, it went easier to give and take according to the areas I knew went well.

I hope this helps. Give yourself a break. What you feel here is just as important as setting the world on fire your first year in a grade level. Remember the kids will love you, no matter what, and you will experience good things this year. ( I think I can, I think I can.....) Good luck!!!