Sunday, July 1, 2012

Thoughts on Changing Grade Levels

I feel like changing grade levels is the story of my life.  In the 5 years I've been teaching (including this coming year), I've changed grade levels 4 times.  Blah.  Here's my table right now, as I'm trying to get ready...



As I'm sitting here, slightly stressing, I'm trying to tell myself all the positives of changing grade levels.  So I came up with 4 positives and 4 negatives of switching.  We'll start with the bad first, that way we end on a good note.  :)

Negatives:

1. Changing your mindset.  As teachers, we have to try to think like the kids we teach.  Even though I'm only moving down one grade, I still have to start thinking like a first grader.  They're just coming out of kindergarten!  It's actually a bigger change than one might think.

2. Materials: Oh. my. goodness.  This is what has me stressing.  I have to completely create appropriate materials all over again.  My to-do list of things I have to get ready is m-i-l-e-s long.  It feels like I'll never complete it!  It has taken me hours.  Days.  Weeks.  Even months to create stuff.  And I'm still not done.  Thank goodness for Teachers Pay Teachers.  Honestly.  I can find so many things so that I don't have to create everything.

3. Arranging your classroom: I went from 1st to 3rd to 2nd to 1st.  That's a lot of height changes on tables, desks, mailboxes, etc...

4.  Getting into the groove with a new team: I adore all the people I work with.  Each team has been WONDERFUL.  But they're all a little different in how they do things.  So getting used to that is another change.

Positives:

1.  It keeps me on my toes!: There's no time to get complacent when you're doing everything for the first time.

2.  You get to see how it all fits together: This is the coolest thing to me.  Seeing the developmental levels of all the kiddos and how they change from one grade to the next - it's quite amazing!  And I have a much better understanding of the puzzle, if you will.  I know where they've been, what they need to know, where they come from, and where they need to end.

3.  Thinking of new ways to reach my students: With every grade level comes new interests, new abilities, new creativity, new personalities...it's kinda fun to think of ways to teach them that will really reach where they are.

4.  It makes me a better teacher:  I get this burst of innovation every time I switch grade levels.  My mind starts swarming with new things.  It CAN be refreshing.  Getting the overall picture, working with students on foundations that need to be built at each level...it's truly invigorating.

So how about you?  Have you ever switched grade levels?  How big of a jump did you have to make?  What is one thing you like about it and one thing that you don't like?  The first person to comment (including their e-mail address) will receive a copy of my latest...September Math Centers!  They are geared towards K, 1, 2.  I'm teaching 1st next year, so that's who I have in mind as I am working on it.  I'd still love to hear from you even if you don't teach the primary grades.  Maybe you can give it to someone you work with?  :)  I'm still working on it, but it should be done in a few days.  I will e-mail it to you as soon as it's done.



Looking forward to hearing from all of you!  :)

21 comments:

  1. Hi Sarah, several years ago, I made the move from 4th grade to 2nd grade. I liked the thought of getting them younger and developing a stronger foundation early on. Coming from 4th, I knew what they needed to come to 4th grade knowing so that helped as well. Definitely the worst part of changing grade levels is the moving of classrooms and trying to get familiar with the new materials and curriculum. Good luck Sarah!

    Jamie at 2nd Grade Stuff
    jamie_rector@att.net

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm moving from 1st to 3rd after teaching First for three years and not ever teaching 3rd! eek!!! I'm scared and excited at the same time! Your resources help people like me A TON!!! I hope the transition will not be that bad...On the up side, half my class has already been in my (1st grade) class before! So that might make things a little bit easier? I'm sure I'll find out soon enough!
    Thanks! =)

    laurenbrascho@gmail.com
    laurenmurdoch86@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was in teacher heaven in third grade, I taught it for four years. I had the perfect team, LOVED the age group, and had to move a week before school started last year to a new school and grade level. I'm changing grade levels again this school year, but to fourth grade, I LOVE older elementary kiddos. Like you, even though I really didn't like teaching second grade, I really LOVED seeing how second grade and third grade fit together. You're also so true that changing grade levels pushes and you and does make you a better teacher. By glancing through your blog and store, it looks like you're going to be so ready for first grade! :)
    Lisa
    Fourth and Ten
    Like Fourth and Ten on Facebook!
    Formerly Stories From Second

    Lisa
    Fourth and Ten
    Like Fourth and Ten on Facebook!
    Formerly Stories From Second

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Sarah...I am not only changing grade levels, I am changing positions. One part of my job will be working with Level 3 RTI kids in K-5. Now I'm fine with the K-2...but 5th?? That scares me just a little - LOL. Anyway, I just found your blog and am now a follower. I'd love for you to visit me back at www.adventuresinteaching.net
    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am moving from 7th grade math down to 3rd or 4th - still don't know exact grade yet. It will be extremely different to have the kiddos all day long and have to prep for more than 2 classes.
    Good luck! I am your newest follower from Wild About Teaching.

    ReplyDelete
  7. OMGosh Sarah! I am in the same boat. I have taught a different grade every year of my teaching career. I am moving to 2nd this coming year. What are you doing to get ready for this coming year?

    ReplyDelete
  8. It makes me feel better that I'm not the only one changing and that I'm not the only one freaking out, haha! Kelly - moving from 7th to 3rd or 4th???? Holy cow, that's quite a jump! And yes, I would imagine that would be overwhelming teaching the same kiddos all day every day when you're not used to it. Good luck to everyone! We can do this! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am a special ed teacher. I have been in 2nd grade for 12 years & am moving down to 1st grade. I know how you feel about switching - excited, nervous, overwhelmed...

    ReplyDelete
  10. You have an impressive resume! Seriously! I am certified to teach PreK-8, but I've never veered farther than 1st. Plus, I adore kindergarten!

    I'm trying to reframe my expectations back to the beginning of the year--potty accidents, untied shoes, fretful parents, etc. This week, I realized I am longing for the incoming first-graders, my darlings from last year. Hopefully, your students will enter your room with an excitement for learning! Have a wonderful first day :-)
    ReadWriteSing

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm starting my 5th year and I've switched grade levels four times, too!! I think it definitely makes us better teachers! You've been lucky enough to stay in the same room though?? I've also switched rooms four times!!!
    ❤Teri
    A Cupcake for the Teacher

    ReplyDelete
  12. My boss just posted a link to this blogpost in our staff newsletter!

    Alyssha
    Teaching and Tapas: 2nd Grade in Spain

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow, Alyssha! That's so cool! :) Thanks for letting me know that people really do read my blog, haha! Hope you're able to find some encouragement. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for sharing your pros and cons. I have done ten years in third grade and four in second grade. Next fall I'll take the plunge to first grade. I teach third next to the Kinder rooms and I'm watching them walk down the hall and occasionally I sneak in to see what they are learning. It has been a RUSH! I'm excited for the change and am finding new energies that have been lost for a few years.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I need help. I'm a parent that is leading a charge against an elementary grade school principal that is strong arming teachers in to changing grade levels and hence loosing some wonderful teachers at our school in the process. I need to know the protocol/criteria for changing teachers grade levels so I can go to the superintendent fully informed. Sadly, our teachers need the parents to fight for their jobs. He is a new principal that is splitting up the stronger teams in a power play that is unacceptable to parents and teachers alike. Thanks in advance for your advice.

    ReplyDelete
  16. CONTACT US FOR ALL KINDS OF HACKING JOB @ chauphampham42@gmail.com We offer professional hacking services , we offer the following services;
    -University grades changing
    -Bank accounts hack
    -Erase criminal records hack
    -Facebook hack
    -Twitters hack
    -email accounts hack
    -Grade Changes hack
    -Website crashed hack
    -server crashed hack
    -Skype hack
    -Databases hack
    -Word Press Blogs hack
    -Individual computers hack
    Control devices remotely hack
    -Burner Numbers hack
    -Verified Paypal Accounts hack
    -Any social media account hack
    -Android & iPhone Hack
    -Text message interception hack
    -email interception hack
    -Untraceable Ip etc.
    Contact us at chauphampham42@gmail.com or text or call (601) 357-3187 for more inquiry..
    Track Calls log and Spy Call Recording.
    Monitoring SMS text messages remotely.
    Cell phone GPS location tracking. Spy on Whatsapp Messages.
    Free Update and 100% Undetectable.
    Track BBM messages and Line messages. Track Internet Browsing History and Read phone Access Address Book, totally worth your money, please no time wasters, he won't under any circumstances work for free, you can reach him by email chauphampham42@gmail.com or add on Hangout or call on (601) 357-3187 and text

    ReplyDelete
  17. HAVE YOU BEEN IN SEARCH FOR GENUINE HACKER'S ONLINE?. HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MONEY TO BINARY OPTION SCAM OR ANY ONLINE SCAM WHATSOEVER?. WELL, YOU HAVE FOUND REDEMPTION IN ASORE CORP.
    asorehackcorp@gmail.com

    Asore Corp is a group of multinational Hacker's, an affiliate of Evil Corp. We make sure by all means necessary that our clients get the best of services on a🔐PAYMENT AFTER JOB IS DONE BASIS✅. Rather than send money and trust a criminal to fulfill your deal, you can make sure the job is done before WORKMANSHIP is paid for. You'll get excellent customer service.
    That's a 100% guarantee. Our Cyber security Technicians are on standby 24/7 to receive your job requests.

    ⚠️ BEWARE OF FRAUDSTARS looking to hoax.
    if you have been a VICTIM, contact : ✉️cyberprecinct@gmail.com for directives.
    Here, it's always a win for you.

    🔸OUR SERVICES🔸
    ➡️Binary Option funds recovery
    ➡️Social media hack
    ➡️Recovery of loan scam
    ➡️Credit repair (Equifax,Experian,Transunion)
    ➡️E mail hack
    ➡️College score upgrade
    ➡️Android & iPhone Hack
    ➡️Website design
    ➡️Website hack
    And lots more.

    DISCLAIMER: Asore Cyber Corp accepts no responsibility for any information,previously given to anybody by clients on as regarding the job. Asore Cyber Corp will not distribute contact information collected on any hacking job other than in the Asore corps Hacker's listings themselves, and will not sell contact information to third parties.

    CONTACT INFO:
    📧 asorehackcorp@gmail.com
    cyberprecinct@gmail.com

    Copyright ©️
    Asore Cyber Corp 2021.
    All rights reserved.

    ReplyDelete
  18. IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET A SUCCESSFUL RECOVERY OF YOUR FUNDS LOST TO FAKE/ILLEGAL CRYPTO WEBSITES OR ANY ONLINE FRAUDSTER/ FRAUDSTERS?
    ABSOLUTELY, YES!

    ☣️BEWARE OF FRAUDSTERS looking to hoax.
    If you have had an encounter with any of the following fraudulent schemes; fake brokers, fake bitcoin investment platforms, forex trade, binary option, false investments proposals☹️. If you have been a VICTIM, you are reading the right post 👍🏻

    BLOOMBERG Inc. is a group of international cyber security specialists bound by one sole aim, which is to render state of the art services involving ethical hacking.

    Ladies and gentlemen, I must warn you that the internet isn't quite a safe haven, as consistent research has found out that 62.24% of people you interact with on the net do not exist. Hence, you must trade with caution ⚠️. For this reason, Bloomberg Incorporation was founded in the year 2005 and ever since have been trending for successfully carrying out various hacking jobs.

    🔹OUR SERVICES🔹
    ☑️Binary Option funds recovery
    ☑️Social media hack
    ☑️Recovery of loan scam
    ☑️Credit repair (Equifax,Experian,Transunion)
    ☑️Website hack
    ☑️Website design
    ☑️College score upgrade
    ☑️Email hack
    And lots more.

    DISCLAIMER: Bloomberg Incorporations accepts no responsibility for any information, previously given to anybody by clients on as regarding the job. Bloomberg Inc. will not distribute contact information collected on any hacking job other than in the Bloomberg Hacker's listings themselves, and will not sell contact information to third parties.

    Your happiness is our priority!

    📬CONTACT INFO:
    📧bloomberghackers@gmail.com
    📧exploithackersinn@gmail.com

    Copyright ©
    Bloomberg Incorporations 2021.
    All rights reserved

    ReplyDelete
  19. If you are looking for a professional hacker to provide hacking solutions on (Wizardbrixton AT Gmail.com )

    -Social media hacks

    -Company Email hacks

    -Phone hacks

    -Email hack: Gmail, AOL, Yahoo mail, Proton-mail etc,

    -Mobile phone (call and text message Hacking are available also)

    -ATM hack,

    -Account hack

    -Spy on a cheating Husband/wife

    -Retrieval of lost documents

    -School result upgrading

    -Bitcoin recovering

    -Hack into bitcoin with large coins

    -Binary option funds recovery and lot more, search no further.


    I fully recommend you to contact him he will help you recovered all data you have lost on a phone and helped in tracking the phone till you got the proof of lost , contact him ( Wizardbrixton@gmail.com) Whatsapps : (+1- /807-23 ) 4-0428

    ReplyDelete
  20. TOOLS&FULLZ SHOP
    _______________

    hi EveryonE!

    Are you been stuck for looking valid products or been scammed by scammers

    Here the Valid store available for all kind of tools,tutorials & Fullz with quality

    Learn hacking and spamming and do it on your own way & enjoy..........

    _______________

    1)FRESHLY SPAMMED USA FULLZ
    2)HACKING & SPAMMING TOOLS
    3)TUTORIALS
    _______________

    *Contact*
    *ICQ :748957107
    *Telegram : @James307
    *Skype : Jamesvince$
    _______________
    USA SSN FULLZ WITH ALL PERSONAL DATA+DL NUMBER
    -FULLZ FOR PUA & SBA
    -FULLZ FOR TAX REFUND
    *fullz/lead with DL num
    *SSN+DOB
    *Premium info
    *EIN PIN LEADS
    (TAX RETURN)
    *ELECTRONIC FILING LEADS

    *ID's Photos For any state (back & front)
    *Passport Photos
    ________________
    +US cc Fullz
    +(Dead Fullz)
    +(Email leads with Password)
    +(Dumps track 1 & 2 with pin and without pin)
    +HACKING & CARDING TUTORIALS
    +SMTP LINUX
    +SAFE SOCK
    +CPANEL
    +RDPs
    +Spamming Tutorial
    +SERVER I.Ps
    +EMAIL COMBO
    +DUMPS TUTORIAL
    +BTC FLASHER
    +KEYLOGGER COMP&MOB
    +EMAIL BOMBER
    +SQLI INJECTOR
    +ETHICAL HACKING TUTORIAL
    +GMAIL HACKING TUTORIAL
    +PENETRATION TESTING TUTORIAL
    +PayPal Cracker
    +BTC Cracker
    +BLUE PRINTS BLOCKCHAIN
    +EMAIL BLASTER
    +SMS SENDER
    +NORD VPN
    +ONION LINKS AND TOR BROWSER (LATEST VERSION)
    +DARK HORSE TROJAN
    +NETFLIX CHECKER
    +IP ROUTING
    +KEYSTROKE LOGGER
    +WESTERN UNION LOGINs
    +ALI BABA IPs
    +KEYLOGGER
    +SHELL SCRIPTING
    _______________
    *Let's do a long term business with good profit
    *Contact for more details & deal

    *Contact*
    *ICQ :748957107
    *Telegram :@James307
    *Skype : Jamesvince$

    ReplyDelete