Comments wanted for 4th/5th grade combo gifted classroom

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Upper Elementary Teachers Chatboard

Comments wanted for 4th/5th grade combo gifted classroom

by Colleen

Mar 9, 2009

Our school is toying with the idea of offering a 4th/5th grade combination classroom for gifted students. This classroom would include a mobile wireless lab. I would be moving from a regular 4th grade classroom to this position. Right away it sounds like a dream job, but I can imagine problems trying to teach 2 curriculums.

Is there anyone who teachs a 4th/5th combo? or gifted combo?

Any ideas? Suggestions? Concerns?

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Leah Try posting on the Gifted/talented chatboard

Mar 9, 2009

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JAM, 4/5 combo teacher On 3/09/09, Colleen wrote: > Our school is toying with the idea of offering a 4th/5th > grade combination classroom for gifted students. This > classroom would include a mobile wireless lab. I would be > moving from a regular 4th grade classroom to this > position. Right away it sounds like a dream job, but I can > imagine problem...See MoreOn 3/09/09, Colleen wrote: > Our school is toying with the idea of offering a 4th/5th > grade combination classroom for gifted students. This > classroom would include a mobile wireless lab. I would be > moving from a regular 4th grade classroom to this > position. Right away it sounds like a dream job, but I can > imagine problems trying to teach 2 curriculums. > > Is there anyone who teachs a 4th/5th combo? > or gifted combo? > > Any ideas? Suggestions? Concerns? >

My combo is not a 'gifted' combo officially but the staff of my school put only 'independent learners' in my room-- no behavior problems, Sped, ESL, or Title kids. The ONLY thing I have to deal with is the dual curriculum.

I LOVE it. I have 10 5th graders, all but one at or above grade level, and 13 4th graders, 5 of which are surpassing many of my 5th graders, expecially in reading and math. Three of my fourth graders struggle in math-- but I have the time to work with these kids because of the lack of BIG time suckers (that is, behaviors, sped, etc).

As far as curriulum goes, I use reading/writing workshop which is perfect for multilevel classes. For math I've struggled a little, piecing together units and lessons based on the needs of my students and also based on the state standards. Let me tell you, I have really become friends with my standards book. It has not been easy, but I feel like a better teacher because of it.

Luckily I also have a very supportive 5th grade team. They take my 5th graders for 45 minutes a day for social studies and science (they go twice a week to social studies next door and twice a week to science across the hall). In exchange for this, I take in the other combo (3/4) class' fourth graders for social studies and science. Does that make sense? Basicaly I only teach 4th grade social studies and science this year. You should find a way to to this, or at least just choose which grade level you will teach for this group of kids. It's nearly impossible to teach it all.

If you think about it, a combo should not be a big struggle to teach two sets of standards. Instead think of it as this: you are teaching one group of kids. YOu give them swhat they need... and what I'veseen is that those fourth graders see what they 5th graders are doing and boy, oh, boy-- they want to LEARN THAT STUFF. I have also learned that there is NOT that big a difference between fourth and fifth grades!

Have a great time. The mobile wireless lab is awesome. We have a lab that we share in my wing and I use it frequently.

We'd love to hear how it goes next year! Keep us posted.

JAM

Mar 15, 2009

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jmak I realize this post is sort of late in the game, but I thought I would add my two cents. I currently teach a 4/5 combo class... and my class is the model for how NOT to do it. I've got students who are in the 1st percentile for reading and those who are in the 95th percentile. They combined some of the lowest 4th grade students with some of the hig...See More

Mar 24, 2009

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Lizzie 4th I think that the gifted 4/5 split could work.

We have a 4th/5th split in our school (Title 1 - 98% free/reduced lunches)and it seems nearly impossible. She has 10 fourth graders and 8 fifth graders. Her class contains SpEd (one student functioning at a PreK level) and only two students reading on grade level. She also has some kids that a...See More

Mar 24, 2009

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