My advice is similar to Admin's...
The number one thing is to be sensitive to their needs--come
right out and them that you are there to help them get through
the rest of the year, and to do that you need to know from
them, how you can best help them.
5th graders will be great at helping you to become familiar
with all the classroom activities and routines. And T Charts,
as Admin suggested, are a great way to do this--name of the
activity at the top, then what it looks like on one side, and
what it sounds like on the other.
If the previous was highly organized, this should go fairly
smoothly. If she wasn't, then it might be quite a bit harder,
depending on your own level of organization.
As far as learning goes... maybe she had some big units that
were already under way, but if not, as next year's 6th grade
teacher you probably have a pretty clear idea of what you want
them to be ready to do when they get to you. That's where I'd
put the learning focus--getting ready for 6th grade.
Best of luck!
~connie
On 5/05/08, Admin wrote:
> Ask someone to email you the management plan the previous
> teacher used.
>
> Go in and be responsive to the needs of the kids. They are
> sensitive, but they have had a week to process, now are
scared
> of what comes next. Spend some time getting to know them,
and
> have them help recreate the classroom plan for you. Have
them
> explain the reasons for the rules, have them create T charts
> so that YOU know what all the little nuances are that they
> have developed over their year in 5th.
>
> 5th graders are still willing to help, let them. Need them.
> They are at an age where they will rise to your
expectations.
> Do a lot of the things that are normal for a new teacher to
> do. If you take the time to establish respect now, you will
> be able to get lots done in the 4 weeks left. If you go in
> too heavy handed, or too unstructured, you will have less
time
> to teach over the next 4 weeks.
>
> On 5/05/08, Melissa wrote:
>> I'll apologize in advance because I do not really have a
>> specific question, but I need all the advice I can get!
>>
>> I was recently hired to teach 6th 7th and 8th grade at a
>> school starting in August. I have only ever taught third
>> and fourth grade, so this is new to me. Unfortunately,
>> the current 5th grade teacher passed away suddenly last
>> week, and they need to replace her in the next few days,
>> so I agreed to take over for her class. These are the
>> same kids I will have for my 6th grade homeroom next
>> year.
>>
>> I will be basically starting from scratch in a very
>> sensitive time for these kids. I do not want to come in
>> with my own complete classroom management agenda, since
>> they, I'm sure will be used to the way their teacher
>> taught and I don't want to change everything, especially
>> since there will only be 4 weeks left of school. At the
>> same time, I don't want to go too easy on them since I
>> will have the same kids next year and I need them to know
>> I mean business. Since I have never taught 5th grade, I
>> guess I just need some tips on managing this grade,
>> especialy in a time like this when they will still be in
>> the grieving process. FYI The class size is really small,
>> probably about 10-12 kids, and I won't have a chance to go
>> to the school since I am out of state on vacation until
>> the day I start next week. Any advice would be greatly
>> appreciated!
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