tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post8067119469041082816..comments2024-03-03T18:31:30.773-05:00Comments on Teaching in Progress: Farewell, First Grade...Nikki Sabistonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-80813274302759265362016-08-31T18:59:23.964-04:002016-08-31T18:59:23.964-04:00My principal just told me I am moving from Kinder ...My principal just told me I am moving from Kinder to 5th grade...3weeks into the year. I have been crying for days and applying or new jobs in totally different careers!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16859629067387452044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-70075178614021168382016-07-04T01:07:39.590-04:002016-07-04T01:07:39.590-04:00My first 7 years I didn't get to teach the sam...My first 7 years I didn't get to teach the same grade in a row for 8 years. (k-3) But I hated 3. When principal told me he wanted me to go to 4th. i broke down and cried and cried and cried. I told him I don't even know how to do that math. I blaim it on being pregnant. When I got back it was 3rd. I was so g'lad to get anything primary and not upper grade. Ive moved schools. Ive been their 23 years (k-4) Moved from first, but for the last 20 second or third. Now I don't want anything else. I was moved from two to 3, three years ago. Principal approached me about 4th and I empathise with you: I couldn't breathe, cried, couldn't stand. Finally said I haven't taught or taken anything over 3rd grade Math in 35 years. I will do my best but the kids may have to teach me because I never learned to convert fractions, square numbers or double digit long division by hard I'm a primary teacher. So if you okay with fourth grade Math will be reading the book together, I will do my best, but I'm a primary teacher.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some of the principals do it to get some teachers to leave so they can hire their own picks. For the jump from 1 to 3, youtube videos and khan academy for every lesson. I pretty much had to do that. Another principal moved me to second He moved me to second and now three years later now back to 3rd. I feel your pain. It's an in thing to do major switch because those dodo's think anyone can teach reading and everyone can teach every level of Math or English. I am sooo sorry. If you are in a common core state. This is what I did buy a fortune in resources.<br />1) Corwin Common Core Standards- Grade 3-5. Every standard and how to teach it.<br />2) Flip chart of common core standards- I put stickys on the key standards to mast that quarter and another for the supporting.<br />3) Daily Math Practice for Common Core math Practice- Life saver it covered all of the grade level standards for Math, 10 mins a day so even though book might have skipped it i got it.<br />4) Common Core daily Language- 10 mins every day. covers grammar and punctuation you might miss in the curriculum<br />5) ELA/Writing non fiction I found a great book that gave 2 passages on same topic and took you through all the steps of close reading and comparing the 2 in writing citing evidence which is end of the year test.<br />6) Newsela was free at our school as was discovery streaming.<br />7) www.typing.com is a free website. You just log in your students and give them user name and password and they learn to type. I put it as homework.<br />So I have been moved. The good thing is you'll be able to help kids who can't read well, hold their pencil correctly, or scissors correctly because of fifth grade teachers in Kinder. Best of luck. Just do your best. Pacing will be off. Having a journal to use for different educational sponges, helped me, when I was fumbling transitions. Which happens until your familiar again. Hugs.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02775034764891081255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-90018640702208471142016-07-03T23:48:04.292-04:002016-07-03T23:48:04.292-04:00Yes! I spent two years teaching fourth grade. I d...Yes! I spent two years teaching fourth grade. I did love the kids. The age level is a lot of fun to teach and they are very independent. But my school is so focused on passing the state test, that teaching became a chore that was prescribed and forced. There was no autonomy or freedom to teach fun, engaging lessons. It was hard to want to do appropriate lessons and not be allowed to. <br />Next year I will be teaching Pre K. Another big jump and not exactly where I'd like to be, but I am glad to be moving back down to be with the littles!Nikki Sabistonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-13818964518721400082016-07-03T21:50:31.727-04:002016-07-03T21:50:31.727-04:00Yes, it is a shock to the system. I think admin do...Yes, it is a shock to the system. I think admin doesn't always realize that the skill set in lower elementary doesn't always transfer to the upper grades. I hope she has a good year!Nikki Sabistonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-32787368426840169612016-07-03T21:48:40.643-04:002016-07-03T21:48:40.643-04:00I will be teaching pre k next year, too!
But I am ...I will be teaching pre k next year, too!<br />But I am looking forward to this much more than that fourth grade transition. Nikki Sabistonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-21824305407503527902016-07-03T21:47:27.932-04:002016-07-03T21:47:27.932-04:00Good for for getting there! I don't think I r...Good for for getting there! I don't think I reached acceptance until at least Movember of that first year in fourth. It was a long year ;)Nikki Sabistonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-63305327210682446072016-07-03T21:45:53.951-04:002016-07-03T21:45:53.951-04:00Oh my gosh! What a change! I am so sorry your tow...Oh my gosh! What a change! I am so sorry your town had so much trouble and damage. Glad all are safe and wishing you a wonderful year (and move!)Nikki Sabistonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-73163230950503448722016-07-03T21:43:20.130-04:002016-07-03T21:43:20.130-04:00I got 3 serious interviews/offers this year but my...I got 3 serious interviews/offers this year but my district won't release you from your contract after the last day of school so I couldn't take any of them. So discouraging that we are allowed to move when we like:(<br />Hope you have good year! I think you will at least enjoy the higher level of independence. No shoe tying!Nikki Sabistonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-77772786290998196732016-07-03T21:39:40.041-04:002016-07-03T21:39:40.041-04:00Yes, I discovered that I don't love fourth:(
I...Yes, I discovered that I don't love fourth:(<br />I'm so glad you have a better situation next year! Good luck!Nikki Sabistonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16310276917191243216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-90292168564995619262016-07-03T14:06:30.376-04:002016-07-03T14:06:30.376-04:00Thanks so much for sharing your story with us. Ou...Thanks so much for sharing your story with us. Our district's first grade teacher is transitioning to fourth grade after teaching 1st for 25 years and your insight helps me understand what she's going through. Best wishes to you! <br /><br />-Jen B. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05405968309230223514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-16077818239005791872016-07-03T12:20:05.883-04:002016-07-03T12:20:05.883-04:00I taught first for 9yrs after teaching K for three...I taught first for 9yrs after teaching K for three. My principal has transferred me to full day pre-K! Nooooo! Centers, early literacy, nap time . What will I do without my reading groups and literacy block :( this is a huge change. They're so little. They can't even walk in line. They'll need to be taught everything. It's gonna be a long year. <br />Melissa L.Melissa L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06902750539666978280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-81901647490252703982016-07-03T11:14:53.678-04:002016-07-03T11:14:53.678-04:00I was in your shoes 3 years ago when I was a force...I was in your shoes 3 years ago when I was a forced transfer due to a new school opening and my low teacher on the totem pole status. I went from (my love) 1st to (those kids are huge!) 3rd grade. I didn't dislike it, but 3rd isn't 1st, and I am a 1st grade teacher in my heart. I assumed I would be a 3rd grade teacher for good, but 3 years later, another new school is opening and I was just hired to teach 1st grade! Keep your 1st grade stuff...changes come when you least expect them! I'm sending good vibes your way as you brave double digit multiplication and reading-to-learn. Best of luck to you, and thanks for perfectly explaining how we teachers feel.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10692214708073991064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-27677758799871444912016-07-03T10:41:53.217-04:002016-07-03T10:41:53.217-04:00I see this is in 2014. Do you have an update? I see this is in 2014. Do you have an update? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00539483605071768937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-10323421164420947082016-07-03T10:41:13.726-04:002016-07-03T10:41:13.726-04:00I see this is in 2014. Do you have an update? I see this is in 2014. Do you have an update? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00539483605071768937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-24060097085772336312016-07-03T10:10:59.128-04:002016-07-03T10:10:59.128-04:00I went through a major change too. I was hired to...I went through a major change too. I was hired to teach grade 6 and did that for 2 years, then switched to kindergarten. Grade 6 to kindergarten!!!! Plus, I was getting married in the transition summer so was not happy about the added workload. I got everything done though and ended up loving kindergarten! This year I moved up with my kiddos and taught grade 1 to my same pack. That move was nowhere near as bad. Next year I hope to teach grade 1 again but nothing is for sure. I'm from Fort McMurray and the whole city was evacuated due to wildfire on May 3rd. We lost the last 2 months of school and 10% of the town. No one knows what enrollment is going to look like in the fall, we're not allowed in the school and I have to move everything out of my house. I can't complain though because everyone is safe and I get a 4 month paid 'vacation'. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-85544657459042940422016-07-03T10:02:06.072-04:002016-07-03T10:02:06.072-04:00I taught 7 years of first and now moving to third....I taught 7 years of first and now moving to third. Although I was told back in April, so I am now in the acceptance stage. I have started looking at third grade things.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09675830624642927881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-24984962655040351672016-07-03T10:01:29.854-04:002016-07-03T10:01:29.854-04:00I went through I major change too. I was hired as...I went through I major change too. I was hired as a grade 6 teacher and taught it for 2 years, then I was switched to kindergarten. Grade 6 to Kindergarten!!!! Plus during the transition summer I was getting married. It was crazy hectic but in the end I loved the little ones. This year I moved up with my kiddos and taught grade 1 to my same pack. Next year I'll hopefully have grade 1 again but I'm from Fort Mac and we all got evacuated due to wildfire on May 3rd and lost the last two months of school. 10% of town was lost in the fire so enrollment and funding for next year is very up in the air. I can't complain though because everyone is safe, now to move all my teaching stuff again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-37584236350408414022016-07-01T17:03:45.775-04:002016-07-01T17:03:45.775-04:00I'm in the same boat you are and in the same d...I'm in the same boat you are and in the same dtage... except I'm going to 3rd grade. 8 years in 1st and now you want me to teach 3rd? Are you nuts?!?!?! The worst part is the principal at our early learning center wanted to bring me over there and my hr department said no because the transfer window is closed. I emailed applied to other districts but like you said with 9 years in and 2 masters degrees I'm expensive to hire. So here's to hoping for a not horrible year and finding a place in 1st grade again soon. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11389142222163582914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-7751692506364249652016-05-24T01:12:26.837-04:002016-05-24T01:12:26.837-04:00Thank you for your post!!! I LOVE fourth, ended u...Thank you for your post!!! I LOVE fourth, ended up in first after 14 years of middle grades,and now "look forward" to SIXTH!!! All to have a shorter commute and better work/life balance. I hope I love it, as I now know that I don't love first. Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00959591087580278327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-88449885382949981462014-08-10T02:23:55.802-04:002014-08-10T02:23:55.802-04:00I understand your pain. I could have written this...I understand your pain. I could have written this same post, word for word, except switch first with fourth. I'm moving in the OPPOSITE direction, from fourth down to first, but the grieving process is the same. The feeling of having my identity as a fourth grade teacher for nearly a decade ripped away had me feeling defeated and angry. Looked into transferring to another school but come to find it's too late for this year. Really hard to hold my head up and smile while friends and colleagues reassure me that it's all going to work out. <br /><br />Here's a question I still have. How am I supposed to reply to parents who ask, "Wow, fourth to first, that's quite a move. Why did you decide to do that?" At least with my colleagues I can admit that I'm not happy about this move. What do I say to the parents? Any ideas?LMNO pondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14274745208369030579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-47933477785390700902014-07-24T14:05:00.933-04:002014-07-24T14:05:00.933-04:00Indeed... but I recently just heard that I may not...Indeed... but I recently just heard that I may not be in 4th... I'm "yet to be determined!" Yikes. We'll keep in touch one way or another!Shelby Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16420866673084075378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-86693383665463515302014-07-16T08:43:31.652-04:002014-07-16T08:43:31.652-04:00Good luck and let us know how it goes..Good luck and let us know how it goes..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-84374882994131407612014-07-11T21:47:11.765-04:002014-07-11T21:47:11.765-04:00I feel your pain! After 5 years of teaching Jr. Hi...I feel your pain! After 5 years of teaching Jr. High Math, I was placed in 5th grade for next year...that means I get (read as have) to teach reading for the first time since my student teaching placement 6 years ago! :(Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271706751275720960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-12834368355199125882014-06-29T22:38:42.945-04:002014-06-29T22:38:42.945-04:00Moving from 1st to 4th is a HUGE jump and sadly mo...Moving from 1st to 4th is a HUGE jump and sadly most of the materials you've gathered over the years will not b relevant to 4th, which is just as depressing because now you have to store all those materials and buy all new materials!<br /><br />However, I started my teaching career in kindergarten and after changing schools the only opening was 4th grade! It turned out to be the BEST experience! Then, I got moved to kindergarten again, which after being in 4th was NOT fun! I really struggled with kindergarten a grade I use to love and dread leaving after being in 4th grade. <br /><br />Well, on June 5th I packed up my kindergarten class turned in my keys and went on my way. Then, on June 16th I get a call from my principal "asking" me to move to 5th grade this coming school year, another story! I gladly said YES! <br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09902495524567542406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224687535711669464.post-57589642059220514472014-06-26T20:47:05.608-04:002014-06-26T20:47:05.608-04:00You just don't know where change will lead you...You just don't know where change will lead you! I was told that my fourth grade classroom would be eliminated for the next year (but then reinstated for the following 5/6/7/8 years after that!) I loved loved loved fourth grade. I'm teaching first grade this next year. Although my initial reaction was exactly was exactly like yours (I was ticked!!!) I'm starting to see the positives. Here are your fourth grade positives: they get your jokes; they're smart; you can talk about important life issues with substance; chapter books you read to them are the best ever!!!; did I say they're smart?? Enjoy. I'm envious!!Cindy Warminghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05459197385210784265noreply@blogger.com