Re: Departmentalizing in 5th

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Upper Elementary Teachers Chatboard

Departmentalizing in 5th

by LA/5

Mar 3, 2009

I am part of a 3-person team, teaching in self-contained 5th grade classrooms. We're all excited about the possibility of departmentalizing next year and each focusing on only 2 content areas, like our 6-8th grades currently do. Our principal has asked me to speak to the School Council and get them 'on board' with this idea. Can you offer me some wisdom on the subject (the pitfalls, as well)and prepare me with some likely FAQs. Would also love to know of a great site that might address FAQs. Thnx in advance!! LA/5

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ny/5 We departmentalized this year. I team with two other teachers. We all teach our own ELA, then I teach math to all three groups, one teacher teaches science and the other S.S. The pros are that we (the teachers) selected the subject we are strongest in to teach, so the students are getting the best of all of us -- let's face it, we all have our stre...See MoreWe departmentalized this year. I team with two other teachers. We all teach our own ELA, then I teach math to all three groups, one teacher teaches science and the other S.S. The pros are that we (the teachers) selected the subject we are strongest in to teach, so the students are getting the best of all of us -- let's face it, we all have our strengths and weaknesses. Pro -- since we are only teaching two subjects as opposed to four, we can really focus on lesson planning, and engaging and dynamic lessons, as well as the time to differentiate appropriately. The curriculum has become so advanced in New York that, unless you work round the clock, seven days a week, pr are a genius, it's very difficult to be an expert in all subject areas. It's imperative that you meet with your team frequently in order to integrate the different subject areas within your content area -- something you do naturally when you are self contained. Scheduling is key to success. You all must have identical schedules and allow some time for a study hall, so teachers can offer additional help to those who need it. Student organization is difficult in the beginning of the year, so you need to work out policies and procedures for everything! Several years ago, I typed up policies and procedures for everything from how and when to use the restroom to how to sharpen your pencil! Think about every possible scenario and what you want the procedure to be. It takes time, but do it on a word processor and you can add and detract from it as the needs change. You need to spend a lot of time up front organizing the students and reminding them what they need to bring to each class. We use different colored folders for each subject area as well as writing the subject area name on the binders of the composition notebooks, so students can just look in their desks and grab the correct materials. Some get the hang of it within a few days, some weeks, and others months. Be patient, they're young. Work as a team -- have the same class rules and expectations as well as rewards and consequences. Make sure you communicate with your team about the amount of homework being given -- the first time you all give a hefty homework assignment without being aware that the other teachers did too, you'll get many phone calls and complaints. Get and use a timer and put the students "on the clock" for every task they need to do. Students will try to waste as much time as possible, and need to be taught how to complete tasks accurately and efficiently. Have and keep updated seating charts, so if anything is damaged or missing from one of the seats, you have an idea who it was. Instruct parents in the beginning of the year to go to the child's main homeroom teacher first, when there are concerns. Have frequent home/school communication -- the home/school pages that come with most textbooks usually suffice. Most of the cons are at the beginning of the year. Students aren't used to switching classes, and they need a lot of assistance. After the initial shock is over, they love it. They're day goes very quickly, they are not stuck in the same room all day and they get their energy out traveling from room to room. We presented this to the administration by discussing the strengths in our subject area as well as preparation for the middle school in which students switch for all their classes. Most importantly (and this goes back to the "work as a team" theme) ALWAYS support each other. Parents will call one teacher to complain about another on the team. It's human nature -- like when children try to play mom against dad -- expect it and always respond as if the complaint is being directed at you, never throw your team member under the bus. In order to be a united front, take some time to put together a team handbook that includes homework policies, classroom management plans, rules and expectations, schedules, contact information, etc. That's all I can think of for now. If you have any other questions, just repost and I'll try and respond. Good luck!

On 3/03/09, LA/5 wrote: > I am part of a 3-person team, teaching in self-contained > 5th grade classrooms. We're all excited about the > possibility of departmentalizing next year and each > focusing on only 2 content areas, like our 6-8th grades > currently do. Our principal has asked me to speak to the > School Council and get them 'on board' with this idea. Can > you offer me some wisdom on the subject (the pitfalls, as > well)and prepare me with some likely FAQs. Would also > love to know of a great site that might address FAQs. > Thnx in advance!! LA/5

Mar 3, 2009

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PMo My first suggestion is to take a look at the main board (tho you may have already) --- there's quite a bit of discussion on departmentalizing going on right now. Both ERIC and Nat'l Center for Ed Statistics have databases on what research there is, but in my experience, there isn't very much in the way of hard data for elementary students.
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Mar 3, 2009

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Bev If you have a strong team and all have similar teaching styles and expectations it really shouldn't be a big problem. The kids adjust and it allows them to not be stuck with one teacher if they really don't get along with that individual. It also allows for ability grouping for core subjects like math and reading so that no one is bored. At my scho...See More

Mar 3, 2009

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