seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,797
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
|
Post by seaexplore on Aug 13, 2022 3:12:41 GMT
katybee I just “graduated” to continuation HS after 22 years of 6, 7, 8 math and science. I wasn’t a fan of 6th but I loved 7th and 8th. The 6th were too “babyish” for my liking. @merge nailed it in her description too! i have to say…. I LOVE my new position. No going back for me!
|
|
|
Post by silverlining on Aug 13, 2022 3:28:43 GMT
Do you feel like the universe is telling you that every single thing in your life will be changed all at once? I know though that it's a lot of work to change grade levels. I'm sorry that this was so unexpected. I'm wondering if they thought this was a better assignment for a teacher with a lot of experience, and who had changed grades successfully before? I hope you end up loving 6th graders!
By the way, in CA there are many more middle schools than junior high schools. Your district is one of very few that still have 6th grade in elementary. And I haven't heard the term independent vs. departmentalized here. It might exist but be called something else?
|
|
seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,797
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
|
Post by seaexplore on Aug 13, 2022 4:00:08 GMT
Do you feel like the universe is telling you that every single thing in your life will be changed all at once? I know though that it's a lot of work to change grade levels. I'm sorry that this was so unexpected. I'm wondering if they thought this was a better assignment for a teacher with a lot of experience, and who had changed grades successfully before? I hope you end up loving 6th graders! By the way, in CA there are many more middle schools than junior high schools. Your district is one of very few that still have 6th grade in elementary. And I haven't heard the term independent vs. departmentalized here. It might exist but be called something else? Ι’m in CA. My district has 2 k-8 schools, a tk-4, a 5-8, a high school and a continuation high school for 16-18 year olds who are severely credit deficient. Departmentalized is where one teacher does one or 2 subjects. I was in a 6-8 departmentalized setting within a k-8 school. I taught all the math for 6-8 grades, another teacher did all the science, another all the ELA, another all the history, and another all the PE. The kids at my old school start sharing teachers (math/sci and ELA/SS) in 3rd grade. It was really cool and a good thing for the kids. This year they are not sharing kids anymore to my knowledge so they are “self contained” and teach all the same kids all the subjects daily. eta: the district my kids attend has 2 TK-5 elementary schools, 6 Tk-6 schools, a 6-8 middle school, a high school, and a continuation school as well as an independent study option.
|
|
luckyjune
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,687
Location: In the rainy, rainy WA
Jul 22, 2017 4:59:41 GMT
|
Post by luckyjune on Aug 13, 2022 4:18:02 GMT
My first four years of teaching were with 6th graders in a middle school. They are a hoot and those four years are some of my very favorite! I still keep in touch with some of those kids and they are in their 40s! My best teaching pal moved districts last year and she's teaching 6th grade for the first time, after teaching 7th and 8th grade for 15 years. She ADORES 6th graders. Build community with them as much as possible. I started each class with a "roll question" (If you could paint your bedroom walls any color, what would you choose?" or "If you could have a superpower, which one would you choose?") so by the end of the year, they know each other really well. I have a huge list of questions. Let me know if you'd like them.
Gosh, the possibility for subject integration would be so great in 6th grade/elementary! And project based learning...the possibilities are endless!
I'm so excited for you!
|
|
luckyjune
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,687
Location: In the rainy, rainy WA
Jul 22, 2017 4:59:41 GMT
|
Post by luckyjune on Aug 13, 2022 4:20:07 GMT
katybee I just “graduated” to continuation HS after 22 years of 6, 7, 8 math and science. I wasn’t a fan of 6th but I loved 7th and 8th. The 6th were too “babyish” for my liking.
@merge nailed it in her description too! i have to say…. I LOVE my new position. No going back for me! My observation is there is quite a difference between 6th graders in an elementary setting and 6th graders in a middle school. I happen to like the middle school version best, but I see advantages to elementary 6th graders too!
|
|
sueg
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,416
Location: Munich
Apr 12, 2016 12:51:01 GMT
|
Post by sueg on Aug 13, 2022 6:22:30 GMT
I originally trained for High School, then retrained for Primary (Australia - Primary is K-6th). The principal at my second school said she specifically wanted me for a 5th/6th grade position, due to my High school experience. I loved that age - as others have said, they are big kids. Some are sassy, some are timid, all are insecure. They want to be grown-up, but they also want reassurance. They love a joke, and I found humour was a good way to diffuse situations that were getting a bit out of hand. Set expectations early - this age reacts really well to being asked what the think 'class rules' should be. Be tough but fair - make them live up to your expectations. Teach them to be independent learners as this will help them in later years. But most of all - go in confident and expecting to enjoy it. The kids will pick up on it if you go in apprehensive of what to expect, and they will play on it.
|
|
|
Post by Basket1lady on Aug 13, 2022 12:09:51 GMT
Back in the dark ages, I taught K for a year. I was then moved to teaching French in combined classes for 1-6 grade. I’ll be the dissenter and say that I did not love the older students. My heart was still with those K kids. But I taught French for 3 years and loved it most days.
Fast forward 20+ years and I took a full time volunteer position at the high school, working with the theatre department. I wasn’t sure that it was for me, but I thought I’d try it. I ended up appreciating the older kids in a whole new way and was sad to leave the position.
In hindsight, I think a lot was my youth when I was teaching at the elementary level. I didn’t have a good discipline strategy and they knew it. So I’d spend a little bit of time this week researching that!
I predict that even if in a year you tell us that you prefer teaching K, you will still say that you loved the year and learned a lot.
|
|
|
Post by peasapie on Aug 13, 2022 12:47:11 GMT
I was reluctant to move up when I taught elementary but found I loved it. So much easier. I hope you find the same.
|
|
|
Post by elaine on Aug 13, 2022 14:24:15 GMT
I originally trained for High School, then retrained for Primary (Australia - Primary is K-6th). The principal at my second school said she specifically wanted me for a 5th/6th grade position, due to my High school experience. I loved that age - as others have said, they are big kids. Some are sassy, some are timid, all are insecure. They want to be grown-up, but they also want reassurance. They love a joke, and I found humour was a good way to diffuse situations that were getting a bit out of hand. Set expectations early - this age reacts really well to being asked what the think 'class rules' should be. Be tough but fair - make them live up to your expectations. Teach them to be independent learners as this will help them in later years. But most of all - go in confident and expecting to enjoy it. The kids will pick up on it if you go in apprehensive of what to expect, and they will play on it. Yes! When I long-term subbed in a 6th grade class for 5 weeks, I started each morning with a riddle. They LOVED riddles. Sometimes, I would project Wordle on the smartboard and we would solve that together. I really love 6th grade. One other 6th grade teacher, who has been there for 15 years is retiring at the end of this year, and so the plan is to move me into her position after this year. Here, in our district, elementary schools are all PK-6 and middle schools are 7-8. Our middle school, for example, has 950+ student with only 2 grades. There simply isn't enough room to add another grade to many of our middle schools.
|
|
artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,352
Jun 26, 2014 1:59:10 GMT
|
Post by artbabe on Aug 13, 2022 14:51:31 GMT
I've taught 5th-8th in my career. I think 6th grade is the hardest as far as discipline. I was teaching middle school and I was used to being able to reason with kids about behavior and I just found 6th graders impossible to reason with. It went in one ear and out the other. I tried all of my usual tricks that worked for the 7th and 8th graders and never could find the right combination of techniques to make it work smoothly. Weirdly enough, I didn't have that problem with 5th graders. They were more teacher pleasers. It really is amazing how different 5th is from 6th, 6th from 7th, and 7th from 8th. I was also used to using sarcasm- middle schoolers are all about sarcasm. I accidently used it in 5th-6th and made a kid cry. Oops. Lesson learned. Sixth grade girls are very into boys. There was constantly drama about who said what to whom and who they were "dating" and who they broke up with. You would think that middle school would be more like that but I found 6th graders to be more relationship drama filled than the older grades. That being said, older kids are really fun. I have a K-12 certificate. When I first started applying I thought elementary school would be my choice. Well, the first job I got was 6-8 and I ended up loving it. I'm still teaching middle school 29 years later. Actually, I'm still in contact with some of the first 6th graders I taught. They turn 40 years old this year! I'm actually meeting one for a beer next week. So it is possible to connect with 6th graders in ways that they will remember the rest of their lives. You will love it and do great. And yay! You have a job!
|
|
katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,448
Jun 25, 2014 23:25:39 GMT
|
Post by katybee on Aug 13, 2022 16:41:55 GMT
Several of you asked for a wishlist, so here it is. I don’t normally beg, but all of my stuff is “cute”…and LITTLE. (When I taught 3rd grade, I moved into an already beautifully decorated room mid-year). And I’m not ashamed to admit I spent most of my disposable income making this move to California. So I appreciate everything so much! www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/YV84U32168GS?ref_=wl_share
|
|
|
Post by 950nancy on Aug 13, 2022 16:42:08 GMT
It will be a big adjustment. Now that I've worked with kindergarten, I'd still take sixth grade! They are a different kind of exhausting, but still very lovable.
|
|
|
Post by 950nancy on Aug 13, 2022 16:43:54 GMT
katybee I just “graduated” to continuation HS after 22 years of 6, 7, 8 math and science. I wasn’t a fan of 6th but I loved 7th and 8th. The 6th were too “babyish” for my liking.
@merge nailed it in her description too! i have to say…. I LOVE my new position. No going back for me! My observation is there is quite a difference between 6th graders in an elementary setting and 6th graders in a middle school. I happen to like the middle school version best, but I see advantages to elementary 6th graders too! In my experience, the oldest grade in any school setting can be pretty challenging.
|
|
|
Post by mom on Aug 13, 2022 17:10:23 GMT
Several of you asked for a wishlist, so here it is. I don’t normally beg, but all of my stuff is “cute”…and LITTLE. (When I taught 3rd grade, I moved into an already beautifully decorated room mid-year). And I’m not ashamed to admit I spent most of my disposable income making this move to California. So I appreciate everything so much! www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/YV84U32168GS?ref_=wl_shareYou'll have mail on Tuesday!
|
|
katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,448
Jun 25, 2014 23:25:39 GMT
|
Post by katybee on Aug 13, 2022 17:14:02 GMT
Several of you asked for a wishlist, so here it is. I don’t normally beg, but all of my stuff is “cute”…and LITTLE. (When I taught 3rd grade, I moved into an already beautifully decorated room mid-year). And I’m not ashamed to admit I spent most of my disposable income making this move to California. So I appreciate everything so much! www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/YV84U32168GS?ref_=wl_shareYou'll have mail on Tuesday! Awww….thank-you!
|
|
|
Post by monklady123 on Aug 13, 2022 17:32:25 GMT
Several of you asked for a wishlist, so here it is. I don’t normally beg, but all of my stuff is “cute”…and LITTLE. (When I taught 3rd grade, I moved into an already beautifully decorated room mid-year). And I’m not ashamed to admit I spent most of my disposable income making this move to California. So I appreciate everything so much! www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/YV84U32168GS?ref_=wl_shareLol... one of the things I ordered says it will arrive tomorrow. Not sure I believe that but we will see.
|
|
katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,448
Jun 25, 2014 23:25:39 GMT
|
Post by katybee on Aug 13, 2022 17:50:44 GMT
Several of you asked for a wishlist, so here it is. I don’t normally beg, but all of my stuff is “cute”…and LITTLE. (When I taught 3rd grade, I moved into an already beautifully decorated room mid-year). And I’m not ashamed to admit I spent most of my disposable income making this move to California. So I appreciate everything so much! www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/YV84U32168GS?ref_=wl_shareLol... one of the things I ordered says it will arrive tomorrow. Not sure I believe that but we will see. I bet it will! Thank-you so much!
|
|
ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,748
Jun 30, 2014 12:52:45 GMT
|
Post by ellen on Aug 13, 2022 20:03:35 GMT
I taught 6th grade for a while and I liked kids that age. I was in a situation where I was switching around with some other teachers and the kids handled it well. They come in knowing how to do a lot of things. They are capable of working independently for good chunks of time. I think you'll enjoy them.
|
|
|
Post by mollycoddle on Aug 13, 2022 21:03:03 GMT
I originally trained for High School, then retrained for Primary (Australia - Primary is K-6th). The principal at my second school said she specifically wanted me for a 5th/6th grade position, due to my High school experience. I loved that age - as others have said, they are big kids. Some are sassy, some are timid, all are insecure. They want to be grown-up, but they also want reassurance. They love a joke, and I found humour was a good way to diffuse situations that were getting a bit out of hand. Set expectations early - this age reacts really well to being asked what the think 'class rules' should be. Be tough but fair - make them live up to your expectations. Teach them to be independent learners as this will help them in later years. But most of all - go in confident and expecting to enjoy it. The kids will pick up on it if you go in apprehensive of what to expect, and they will play on it. Yes! When I long-term subbed in a 6th grade class for 5 weeks, I started each morning with a riddle. They D riddles. Sometimes, I would project Wordle on the smartboard and we would solve that together. I really love 6th grade. One other 6th grade teacher, who has been there for 15 years is retiring at the end of this year, and so the plan is to move me into her position after this year. Here, in our district, elementary schools are all PK-6 and middle schools are 7-8. Our middle school, for example, has 950+ student with only 2 grades. There simply isn't enough room to add another grade to many of our middle schools. What a great idea!
|
|
|
Post by lucyg on Aug 13, 2022 21:19:10 GMT
Go add some more items to your list. They’re almost all gone now, and I tried to send the blue chair, but Amazon said it can’t be shipped to a gift registry (I think you have to tell them it’s okay to give your address to outside sellers). Need more choices! katybee
|
|
|
Post by elaine on Aug 13, 2022 21:38:31 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Merge on Aug 13, 2022 22:43:11 GMT
I sent one of the succulent pillows. So cute! I want one for myself. katybee, maybe consider putting a gift card option on there for people who want to help but maybe don’t have the full amount of the chairs to spend right now. They can send $10 toward the chair or whatever.
|
|
katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,448
Jun 25, 2014 23:25:39 GMT
|
Post by katybee on Aug 13, 2022 22:46:55 GMT
Absolutely! I was going to sit down tonight and research books. I’m the queen of picture books and early readers (I brought 20 bankers boxes full—and left just as many in TX) but I know nothing about books for 6Th graders. Thank-you!
|
|
katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,448
Jun 25, 2014 23:25:39 GMT
|
Post by katybee on Aug 13, 2022 22:47:21 GMT
I sent one of the succulent pillows. So cute! I want one for myself. katybee , maybe consider putting a gift card option on there for people who want to help but maybe don’t have the full amount of the chairs to spend right now. They can send $10 toward the chair or whatever. That’s a great idea!
|
|
katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,448
Jun 25, 2014 23:25:39 GMT
|
Post by katybee on Aug 13, 2022 22:48:01 GMT
Y’all are so generous. Thank-you so much. I’m overwhelmed today—in a good way!
|
|
|
Post by flanz on Aug 13, 2022 23:00:09 GMT
So glad you're feeling the pea love today, katybee!
|
|
|
Post by flanz on Aug 13, 2022 23:02:40 GMT
You def. need to add to your wish list! It's great to see that it's gotten so short. Love the peas!! Amazon gift card option and books would be great additions! I reached out to M to see if she wants to suggest any books, and I'm guessing C will if you ask him tomorrow. Do you need classroom fans, pencil sharpener, Clorox wipes, Kleenex, etc? I know waaaay back in the day when our kids were in elem. each family was asked to send in a jumbo box of Kleenex from time to time. Has anyone told you about school culture such as this? Guessing not, but I hope you learn these things soon!
|
|
katybee
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,448
Jun 25, 2014 23:25:39 GMT
|
Post by katybee on Aug 13, 2022 23:22:21 GMT
I added that set to my wishlist!
|
|
|
Post by flanz on Aug 14, 2022 0:36:14 GMT
Do teachers still buy classroom sets of books? I think Scholastic might offer them?
|
|
|
Post by flanz on Aug 14, 2022 0:36:56 GMT
|
|