Dear Sandy,
Congratulations! A split class is truly a blessing. I teach in
a one room school - grades 1-8 - and discover more benefits
with each year we are in existence.
Some basics that helped me .... you need to switch your
thinking from single grade goals to split grade goals. Think
about what your students will need to learn to be successful
after they leave you. How they arrive is the journey you will
help them take. Depending on their abilities, each journey
takes its own course.
So ... concentrate on reading, math, and writing. Provide
materials, activities, and experiences for them to hone their
skills to be ready for (or exceeded!) the fourth grade. Use
your tradebooks for reading; the basals as supplementary ...
or to teach certain skills. The thirds graders will only be
with you this year ... they need to be prepared in one year,
so concentrate on their needs while adjusting/differentiating
for the second grade students. The social studies/science
curriculums can be put on a two year rotation. Again, teach to
the highest level, and adjust assignments for the younger
students. (Always keep in mind, however, that younger doesn't
always mean lower ability ... some of those second graders
will knock your socks off!)
If I had an aide, I would have her work with the kids who are
not in class with me and/or do the office-type work. I would
schedule the classes that are individualized around the time
she was present and schedule things we do "whole room"
(Science, soc. studies, etc.)when she is gone.
The challenge will be for you to switch thinking from yearly
programs to a two-year cycle program. It takes a bit of time
to arrive at what that means to you as an educator, so be kind
to yourself and trust your professional instincts!
Also remember that childhood passes quickly - enjoy your own
children, too! (A wise person once asked me, "Twenty years
from now, will your school kids remember the power point you
developed for that history lesson, or will your son/daughter
remember you missed his/her ball game so you could stay home
to make the power point in the first place?" Food for thought!
Take care,
Donna
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