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I haven’t done a combo class but, to me, it makes the most sense for them to give you the “high” kids from 2nd and the “low” kids from 3rd so you can teach review skills for the 3rd grade while teaching it to the 2nd grade kiddos for the first time. Then, the 2nd graders get some extension on the skills when you teach the 3rd grade skills. I’m sure that just sounds good on paper but at least it’s a starting point!
I taught a combination class for 13 years (1st and 2nd grade). I LOVED it! It is still my favorite to teach. The secret to success is definitely having students who can work independently.
The perk of a combo class (at least how my district does it) is we purposefully fill that class with independent, on grade level learners. A class of angels 😇
Just like in regular classrooms, it is so important to establish routines, procedures, and expectations. Create meaningful independent activities for students to do while you are teaching the other grade level. Not busy work. I usually combined Social Studies, Science and Writing. However, my expectations were different for each grade level. This really helped with the lack of time issue. Utilize technology. Create leaders within your classroom. Empower students to help each other. Hope this helps!
I teach a 1st/2nd combo class and I combine exactly the same subjects- science, social studies, and writing. One independent activity that I aways include is journal writing. It is easy to set clear expectations and they can work at their own level. Good luck!
Shelly…. Kudos! I have never taught a combination class in my 37 years. The perks alone would make me want to pick up…if I am being honest. Looking forward to the vlogs for sure. And you being a mom of three….❤❤❤
It is crazy, I have been here since the beginning and I am shocked at how much you have moved and all the things you have done!!!! Can’t wait to see how it plays out!
As a prek teacher i have only ever taught a combination of ages 3-5. I get students who are still in diapers, limited verbal skills, and are learning to sort by colors with students who are starting to read, tie shoes, and have compex relationships with peers and adults. Its hard, but you have to really know the levels of your students before you can make finite decisions. You'll be amazing no matter what!
THE PERKS 😮. I started my first year teaching two grade levels. My perk was that someone planned the instructional progression for me by the day. They looked at where standards crossed and wrote daily objectives based on that info. It was a huge beast to tackle on their part, but it saved me so much time and headache in the long run 😊
I thought that 4th grade was my favorite. But last year, after 17 years teaching 4th, I was asked to move to 3rd. This is only my second year with 3rd, but I’m really liking it. I had to laugh when I saw the title of your video! Changing grades IS starting all over again. Bless you! You make it look easy even though I KNOW it is not. 😉
I’m a teacher who has stepped away from the classroom for the time being, but I have a 3rd grader who is in a 2nd/3rd grade combo class in Southern California. I will say when we first found out about his placement at the beginning of the year, I was not very pleased to know my child would be in a class where the teacher had to juggle teaching 2 grade levels (mainly because it sounds very intimidating to do 🤪) but I will say my son has thrived so much! He is reading at a 4th grade level and hasn’t complained about class (other than having chatty classmates 🤪) good luck on the new classroom placement!!!
I thought 3 grade levels at the same time while still studying to become a teacher (already had another diploma and was almost finished so it was allowed) and then after that as well. I loved it! You might find some inspiration in Montessori schools.
Congratulations! Second grade is my favorite. I did it in my student teaching , the first 5 years of my career, as well as 2 more years later. Third grade is my second favorite grade. My inner child is 8. And those are tg6e two grades 8 year olds are. At my current school, I taught 5th grade. It is the one grade in elementary education ( K-middle school) I had never taught. It was intentional. In my old district in another state, all 5th graders went to overnight camp. NO THANK YOU. However, my colleagues and the students see me as a 5th grade teacher, because that's all they've seen. My principal came to me and hesitantly asked me to teach 5th. I told her I would be happy to. It's MY grade. I'm now excited about next year. Best wishes for you, as well.
My first four years in public school, I taught in Anaheim, CA. I taught 5th, then a 4/5, then a 3/4 and then 5th again. The combo classes were tough, but I did have self-contained gifted so the kids were pretty good at working independently.
I started my career in a 2/3 combo, moved to 2nd, then to 3rd, now going back to 2nd! I think you will do great since you’re already taught both grades! Enjoy the new adventure!
I taught sub sep 5-8th - the best advice I can give is group your reading/math rotations by ability not grade. This will allow you to address the standards kids need to know (vs nice to know) for each grade level. You can also easily enrich/differentiate from there. For science and social studies, depending on your district/state policies, this might not apply, but what I did was year 1- taught the 5th grade curriculum (while my HS counterpart taught 9th grade curriculum). Then year 2, I did 6th (she did 10th) etc. While that most likely won't work for you, because the combo class is for a year, you could potentially do something similar by teaching 2nd (enrich for 3rd) standards, and introducing the 3rd grade standards. It sounds like they purposely give students who can move at a faster pace, so you might be able to cover more ground - but in the end use the curriculum as a guide, focus on the standards, and move on once the standards are met (even if the curriculums expectations are not). Good luck! Its gonna be a great year! (I teach elementary sped now, and I span K-4, but not all at once ha)
I teach in the uk but have taught 1/2 combo class this year and have absolutely loved it!! Have taught both year groups separately but this mixed year has been my favourite! Best of luck with it 💕
Glad you are at peace with your teaching assignment! I have taught six grade for at least 12 years but I’m the 6th grade Dual Immersion teacher so in a way that’s why I get to stay in this grade!!
I taught a 2/3 combo for a few years. I did enjoy that I had leaders from the previous year who knew the routine and we quickly got the 12 new second graders on track. Also with computers the second graders in my experience struggle wirh logging in and everything bur they all had an assigned buddy in 3rd and that made my life easy. I taught separate math lessons, but the rest of my day was either small groups or whole group. In math I taught one group for 30 mins and the other group did the matching lesson on the Eureka math computer program Zearn so they were engaged, learning , and quiet. Then we flipped and I taught the other group.In reading I did the Daily 5 structure which I highly encourage you to look into and I taught reading in small groups. If you aren't familiar with daily 5 , I encourage you to read the book while on maternity leave. It is an easy read and tells you exactly how to organize, plan, structure everything from space, layout, tools, to how to do the behavior and training part. I did like combo, but juggling so many curriculums was hard and our school did not give independent learners since our whole school is combo so we had behaviors and mixed abilities of independence. I combined as much as possible. Good luck!
I am in Canada so things are a little different but I have taught multi-age classes for many years, mostly in 4/5 and 5/6. I actually enjoy it as we often get to loop with half of our kiddos and we plan out the curriculum so they have all the science and social outcomes before they leave us. Math and ELA we are able to do many similar things together and do small group for others. I actually love the multi-age class and those perks would make me jump at it every time! I hope you enjoy it too!
Your school is very kind. I am in Maryland and I taught 2/3 and 3/4 combination classes. I liked it because you have the higher 2nd graders and on-grade-level 3rd graders. I did not have any behavior problems and they worked well together. My county did it so much back in the day that they had an A and a B curriculum for combo classes. However, NO perks like you. Once you find your groove you will like it.
I have been teaching 4th for 5 years and love it. I personally love the content we teach even though we have the most math standards to cover and state testing is a pain lol. They are independent for the most part and love to help you.
I can completely relate to moving around. I am finishing up my 8th year of teaching. In order of years, I've taught: 3rd, 2nd, 4th, 4th, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 2nd. I've moved classrooms (up and down stairs, no less) 4 times. Next year, I am moving to....... FIRST GRADE. Oh my word, I am feeling a weird mix of excitement and pure terror. 😅One plus: like you, I don't have to move classrooms!
I think that split/combo classes are almost the norm here in Ontario, sometimes rural schools will have multiple grade splits! I am excited to see how the year goes for you 😊
I teach a grade 2/3 this year and will again next year! Our entire school has combo or we call them split grade classes. Those perks sound amazing! I wish! Organization is key. Having your long range plans ready at the beginning of the year for all subjects makes the year run smoothly.
When I talked to teachers who have taught a combination class, they say teach up using the higher grade because most standards, especially between 2 consecutive grade levels, are the same. The assessment limits are different. The differntiation can come for the lower grade to make sure the skills are scaffolded so they can access the higher standard. That's one way to look at it.
Make sure that the class is full next year because if the other classes have no space, then you will receive any incoming kids regardless of their behavior or academic standing. Standardized testing will be a challenge unless your third graders can be pulled out to be tested by another administrator or resource teacher during that time.
I was in this spot last year. I was told I was going to be a 2/3 blend. When we came back in the fall there was so much change from 1st graders moving I got to stay in a straight 3rd grade which is my 3rd year teaching 3rd. I had previously taught 2nd for 1 year. I too have found 3rd grade is my sweet spot and I have the best teaching partner. :)
Best of luck! I think you’ll be great at this! I love actually teaching and building relationships with sweet kiddos (the jumping through hoops, being harassed, etc not so much). I didn’t teach a split class in my six years of teaching, but I was in one as an elementary student (2/3, plus a few 1st graders joined us for at least part of the day as I recall). I’ve been meaning to pick my teacher’s brain ever since I started teaching because I don’t recall much besides enjoying having her for two years. Maybe this summer we’ll have a proper catch up session, and she’ll tell me how she managed it! I’m guessing a lot of subject integration and using small groups to differentiate. Maybe a dash of Montessori (independent work plans) thrown in 🤷♀️
My school is great because while we have tons of kids, there is no room. They can't add and subtract classrooms. There are no classrooms to add. So we stay consistent. The other schools around me always gain and lose classes, but I realized that my school can't really do that because the literal building has no room. I work at a school where everyone loops, so right now I'm teaching both second and third over and over. This year I'm in third, next year I teach second. I don't like it much lmao, but it has made me a better teacher
When I was in 6th grade I was apart of a 5th/6th combo class. It was mainly 5th graders and then like 8 of us were 6th graders. I don't remember it being a bad experience and it was also the first time I had a male teacher. I also remember we sat at a kidney type table and the 5th graders were at traditional desks. The way you described the way they make combos makes sense at least for the type of student I was. I do not think it hindered my learning or love for learning in any way. I was also in California at the time. Now I am a teacher and have been in Texas since I was 16.
I just took over a 2/3 class after the teach went out on stress leave. So I started this week. I'm in Australia so our year doesn't end up December. It's fun. I'm stunned you don't have to do lunch duty, also that you have no behaviour issues. My class has huge behaviour issues, but honestly the differentiation for a composite is easier. The schedule is fairly easy, you just have to not look at it as a normal class. I've done them a few times. I love them.
I feel your struggle, 6th year teacher here and this is how I’ve been flexible: 1st year- 4th 2nd year- 2nd 3rd year- 3/4 loved it! 4th year- 3rd (sorry not my fave by itself lol) 5th- 4th but with half day classes so 48 students 😅 6th (this year)- 2nd found my happy grade! 7th (next year)- STAYING IN 2ND 🤩 It has taught me a lot and made me more mindful of what I have in my classroom (moved every year 🤪). I’m so glad your district let you have perks, might look into it for future years in different states 👀 I hope you love it!!!
Wow, split grades is a very typical thing in my school. No perks given, and certainly behavioural children not exempt. Your situation sounds lovely. Enjoy the year ahead!
I teach a 2/3/4 in Australia. 3 different curriculums is so much fun 🫠 but it’s amazing, find the through lines and teach to ability. I’ve got mixed class reading groups, math groups etc. I’ve only ever taught a straight year level once and ability was just as diverse as I have now.
Definitely think about where you can overlap instruction, more small group time for grade specific standards, utilize technology ( google classroom, seesaw, Schoology) to deliver lessons or skills like grammar, spelling, and fluency.
We had a combo class in the same grade two years in a row and it was rough. The non combo teachers had all the challenging behaviors jammed into two rooms. I had so many near breakdowns. The combo class may be a challenge to plan but you made the right choice. Just plan using the ccss spiral. It should show you where the standards align. Then, teach the same skills. Hopefully you get the advanced 2nd graders and mid 3rd graders
I taught 6 grade levels in a self contained ESE. I was a product of combo classes growing up 2nd/3rd 5/6. It won’t be as hard as you imagine it to be. Standards spiral. And you’ll have to do more center-based small group instruction maybe. Honestly you have my dream job… I really like second and third grade. I think it would be neat to have a combo of just second and third grade.
Hey Shelly, That’s pretty cool that you get to teach a combo class!! I can’t wait for that content! I’m an elementary education major however I’ve had teaching experience but you know maylene over at Mrs.calls campers she taught a combo class so that’s would be some good inspiration as well
This is my 17th year all at the same school. I'm that teacher you're referring to...the one who has taught 2nd grade for 15 years and 3rd grade for two years. The first year I taught 3rd, I looped up with my 2nd grade class then taught one more year of third after that. I missed 2nd grade so much that I asked my principal to move me back. LOL....I LOVED the independence of 3rd graders but hated the standardized testing aspect of it all. Never again.
Hi! I am a third-year and tentatively placed in a combo but it's 4/5. I did my student teaching with a 4/5 combo... but it was during the virtual year. I have started watching your channel during my student teaching so I am excited to watch and learn how you do it!
In the UK in primary school which is reception (kindergarten), age 4, until year 6 age 11. So the reception class will be on its own, then year 1/2, year 3/4 and year 5/6. It might be worth checking if there are any UK teachers here on TH-cam, or on instagram . I haven’t seen many but you might find a few.
Mayleen or Mrs. Crall’s Campers did a K/1 combo I believe. Bridget Speckman did an older combo of 4/5 I believe. I hope I got their names right. 🤷🏻♀️ I see a lot of stations happening.
Where I am located we call them Split classes. As a parent I am never really thrilled when my kids end up in a split class, especially if they are the older grade. When i was in 6th grade i got put in a 5/6 split, and the class wasn't even, there were only 5 of us 6th graders, everyone else was in 5th grade, and going into Grade 7/middle school i was not well prepared at all. The teacher really focused on the 5th graders because there was more of them i guess, and most of the time we ended up just doing the same work as the 5th graders.
I teach 4 different combination classes, it is definitely tough but also great! I currently teach 2nd/3rd grade. I've been coordinating their like subjects and chapter to teach together and my 2nd graders are ahead of the game because I roped them into what I teach 3rd grade.
I’ve taught a composite (combination) for 22 years. I’ve actually never taught a straight level class. In Scotland a combination class is quite normal. Sometimes I teach a triple composite - a 3/4/5.
So excited! I have only taught first and second after school reading class during as a student still. Maybe you could assign a third grader to a second grader as a friend/buddy to help each other (sorta like a teacher role the students slip into)?
I have taught a 4/5 combo. The “perks” are nice and grouping of students, however SBAC testing will be a challenge when about half of your students are testing.
I student taught 1/2 combo class. It never made sense to me. I don’t see the benefits from it! But I’m looking forward to seeing your videos and how you adjust to it all!!! Congrats!
Does California do Guided Math and guided reading? I’m a teacher in Texas and we have guided math and reading which basically, you group your kids into groups by ability/skill and instead of whole group teaching, you teach to rotating small groups. In theory, you could teach 2nd grade math to your 2nd graders and 3rd grade math to your third. Research the guided math and guided reading. I ta been a GAME CHANGER
Girl I did kindergarten my first year(2019/2020), involuntarily moved to 2nd grade in a new building to following year, back to a different one the 3rd year to 4th. This is my third year now haha. It felt so nice to stay but also burned out from 3 different grade levels in my first 3 years.
I teach 3rd in north Houston. My principal also sends out a preference form for our top 3. I also do not care for 2nd!😂 3rd is my sweet spot. We don’t know our placement yet for next year, though we have an idea of how many classes each grade will have. We have never found out this late in the school year, but our district was just rezoned so enrollment numbers are still being finalized. Hoping we will find out in the next few weeks!
I was a fourth grader in a 4th/5th combo class growing up (we were stationed in California at the time!). I absolutely loved that class and have some of my best elementary school memories from fourth grade. My teacher tended to teach the fourth graders and then have us work independently while the fifth graders were taught their lesson (the fifth graders were usually completing the workbook pages or whatever for the previous day's lesson while us fourth graders started the subject time with that day's lesson followed by that day's workbook pages or other such practice). She did combine us for read-aloud- that school year, Harry Potter was still pretty new in the States (it had been out for maybe a year or so), so she spent the entire fall reading us the first HP book. That read-aloud time was so engaging, as none of us knew how to pronounce the names or the spells, so we had a ton of phonics-infused debates and it was great practice with characters, plots, themes, predictions and so on, at both fourth and fifth grade levels. We also did a combined literature study about The Phantom Tollbooth, which is another book I love to this day (thinking back, the fifth graders must have had slightly harder questions to answer than us fourth graders were given, but we all still read the book together and had great discussions). To this day, I still absolutely love the series and I credit my fourth grade teacher for helping me to fall in love with reading thanks to that book!
My whole para position at my high school is combo heck quadruple class. US History, Gov/Eco, world Geography and funnzy class Forensic Science and Antony and physiology classes. Hard part is every year you pray your go to fav teachers you count stay and don’t move on. Cause you developed good relationships with them that carries too the students you support.
I think for math you could have one grade level on a computer program and one doing the lesson with you and hopefully some kind of aid can come in and monitor the computer kids…. Reading you could do the same whole group lesson. Writing similar whole group lesson but different the stories they cite from. Science/SS might be tricky since standards are different but hopefully the school can give you lessons and projects to work on! Maybe you could get the aid to help with one project and you do the other… seems like it can be done!!
I found out about 4 weeks ago that it doesn't matter how long you've been teaching one particular grade, if admin doesn't like you, they will move you around regardless of how long you've been there.
Hey Shelly - I’m from the UK and I have never heard of a combination class before! (also I’m not a teacher but for some reason I really enjoy this kind of content!) Could you maybe explain more about how it works? Really looking forward to watching this journey and hope you get to enjoy the rest of your maternity leave! ❤
It just means that half the class is in 2nd grade and the other half is in 3rd! Nothing more to explain really! I just have to figure out how to do both 🤪
My first year of teaching I taught a 4th-8th. In November they gave me a kindergartener, two first graders, and a 3rd grader on top of my two 4th graders, five 5th graders, one 6th grader, and one 8th grader. I was also in charge of all recesses, phy Ed, and computers. They had someone teach music twice a week and a parent came in to do art one day a week. My salary for the year was $21,000 with no benefits. Needless to say you've got this and you will be amazing with you split class lol!
@@EarlyEDventures Lol yeah... I should've mentioned it was a private school and I wanted the experience of teaching a multi level classroom. It did land me my dream grade (3rd) at a dream school the following year, so I count it as a win in the long run.
I have 4 grades in the same class this year and it will be the same next year 😅but i live in France 🇫🇷 it is so different ! 2 grades will be ok dont worry ❤
we call the combo class split. i was in a grade 5/6 split with me being in grade 6 and there wasn't that many in my class that were in my grade. i think there was just a handful of us and the rest of the class was in grade 5.
When I was in 3rd grade, i was in a combination of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. Was really fun, but as a teacher, I would lose my mind. Do you have state testing? State testing starts in 3rd and just wondered how that works if you do.
We got a form for our preference however I didn’t get one of choice…. So that being said I got assigned to 3rd and I’m trying to wrap my mind around it. Any advice with this grade?
@@EarlyEDventures makes sense! I've been loving your what I eat in a days! I'm 7 weeks pp and I find them super motivating!! I'm just starting to get back to working out!
I haven’t done a combo class but, to me, it makes the most sense for them to give you the “high” kids from 2nd and the “low” kids from 3rd so you can teach review skills for the 3rd grade while teaching it to the 2nd grade kiddos for the first time. Then, the 2nd graders get some extension on the skills when you teach the 3rd grade skills. I’m sure that just sounds good on paper but at least it’s a starting point!
I taught a combination class for 13 years (1st and 2nd grade). I LOVED it! It is still my favorite to teach. The secret to success is definitely having students who can work independently.
The perk of a combo class (at least how my district does it) is we purposefully fill that class with independent, on grade level learners. A class of angels 😇
Just got to the part of the video where your district does this too! Yay!!!!
That’s how my 2/3 combo was!
I taught a 2/3 combo class for 6 years at a private school. I loved it!
What are your biggest tips?!?! Please and thank you!! 🩷
Just like in regular classrooms, it is so important to establish routines, procedures, and expectations. Create meaningful independent activities for students to do while you are teaching the other grade level. Not busy work. I usually combined Social Studies, Science and Writing. However, my expectations were different for each grade level. This really helped with the lack of time issue. Utilize technology. Create leaders within your classroom. Empower students to help each other. Hope this helps!
@@Aj264226 yes yes yes! Are there any independent activities that you LOVED?? I’m just afraid of the busy work 😩
I teach a 1st/2nd combo class and I combine exactly the same subjects- science, social studies, and writing. One independent activity that I aways include is journal writing. It is easy to set clear expectations and they can work at their own level. Good luck!
I wish you the best.
Shelly….
Kudos! I have never taught a combination class in my 37 years.
The perks alone would make me want to pick up…if I am being honest. Looking forward to the vlogs for sure. And you being a mom of three….❤❤❤
It is crazy, I have been here since the beginning and I am shocked at how much you have moved and all the things you have done!!!!
Can’t wait to see how it plays out!
My aunt changed grades a lot and now that im a teacher i cant imagine!!! Stressful but you would never get bored.
As a prek teacher i have only ever taught a combination of ages 3-5. I get students who are still in diapers, limited verbal skills, and are learning to sort by colors with students who are starting to read, tie shoes, and have compex relationships with peers and adults. Its hard, but you have to really know the levels of your students before you can make finite decisions. You'll be amazing no matter what!
THE PERKS 😮. I started my first year teaching two grade levels. My perk was that someone planned the instructional progression for me by the day. They looked at where standards crossed and wrote daily objectives based on that info. It was a huge beast to tackle on their part, but it saved me so much time and headache in the long run 😊
I thought that 4th grade was my favorite. But last year, after 17 years teaching 4th, I was asked to move to 3rd. This is only my second year with 3rd, but I’m really liking it. I had to laugh when I saw the title of your video! Changing grades IS starting all over again. Bless you! You make it look easy even though I KNOW it is not. 😉
I’m a teacher who has stepped away from the classroom for the time being, but I have a 3rd grader who is in a 2nd/3rd grade combo class in Southern California. I will say when we first found out about his placement at the beginning of the year, I was not very pleased to know my child would be in a class where the teacher had to juggle teaching 2 grade levels (mainly because it sounds very intimidating to do 🤪) but I will say my son has thrived so much! He is reading at a 4th grade level and hasn’t complained about class (other than having chatty classmates 🤪) good luck on the new classroom placement!!!
I thought 3 grade levels at the same time while still studying to become a teacher (already had another diploma and was almost finished so it was allowed) and then after that as well. I loved it! You might find some inspiration in Montessori schools.
Congratulations! Second grade is my favorite. I did it in my student teaching , the first 5 years of my career, as well as 2 more years later. Third grade is my second favorite grade. My inner child is 8. And those are tg6e two grades 8 year olds are.
At my current school, I taught 5th grade. It is the one grade in elementary education ( K-middle school) I had never taught. It was intentional. In my old district in another state, all 5th graders went to overnight camp. NO THANK YOU. However, my colleagues and the students see me as a 5th grade teacher, because that's all they've seen. My principal came to me and hesitantly asked me to teach 5th. I told her I would be happy to. It's MY grade. I'm now excited about next year. Best wishes for you, as well.
I loved teaching second grade but teaching third grade is one of my favorite grade levels to teach.
My first four years in public school, I taught in Anaheim, CA. I taught 5th, then a 4/5, then a 3/4 and then 5th again. The combo classes were tough, but I did have self-contained gifted so the kids were pretty good at working independently.
I started my career in a 2/3 combo, moved to 2nd, then to 3rd, now going back to 2nd! I think you will do great since you’re already taught both grades! Enjoy the new adventure!
I can see you really enjoying the 2/3 combo class since you already have experience with both grades.
I taught sub sep 5-8th - the best advice I can give is group your reading/math rotations by ability not grade. This will allow you to address the standards kids need to know (vs nice to know) for each grade level. You can also easily enrich/differentiate from there. For science and social studies, depending on your district/state policies, this might not apply, but what I did was year 1- taught the 5th grade curriculum (while my HS counterpart taught 9th grade curriculum). Then year 2, I did 6th (she did 10th) etc. While that most likely won't work for you, because the combo class is for a year, you could potentially do something similar by teaching 2nd (enrich for 3rd) standards, and introducing the 3rd grade standards. It sounds like they purposely give students who can move at a faster pace, so you might be able to cover more ground - but in the end use the curriculum as a guide, focus on the standards, and move on once the standards are met (even if the curriculums expectations are not). Good luck! Its gonna be a great year! (I teach elementary sped now, and I span K-4, but not all at once ha)
How exciting!! Congratulations! Thanks for sharing. 🙂 It was so nice to see your video pop up in my notifications.
I teach in the uk but have taught 1/2 combo class this year and have absolutely loved it!! Have taught both year groups separately but this mixed year has been my favourite! Best of luck with it 💕
Glad you are at peace with your teaching assignment! I have taught six grade for at least 12 years but I’m the 6th grade Dual Immersion teacher so in a way that’s why I get to stay in this grade!!
I taught a 2/3 combo for a few years. I did enjoy that I had leaders from the previous year who knew the routine and we quickly got the 12 new second graders on track. Also with computers the second graders in my experience struggle wirh logging in and everything bur they all had an assigned buddy in 3rd and that made my life easy. I taught separate math lessons, but the rest of my day was either small groups or whole group. In math I taught one group for 30 mins and the other group did the matching lesson on the Eureka math computer program Zearn so they were engaged, learning , and quiet. Then we flipped and I taught the other group.In reading I did the Daily 5 structure which I highly encourage you to look into and I taught reading in small groups. If you aren't familiar with daily 5 , I encourage you to read the book while on maternity leave. It is an easy read and tells you exactly how to organize, plan, structure everything from space, layout, tools, to how to do the behavior and training part. I did like combo, but juggling so many curriculums was hard and our school did not give independent learners since our whole school is combo so we had behaviors and mixed abilities of independence. I combined as much as possible. Good luck!
I am in Canada so things are a little different but I have taught multi-age classes for many years, mostly in 4/5 and 5/6. I actually enjoy it as we often get to loop with half of our kiddos and we plan out the curriculum so they have all the science and social outcomes before they leave us. Math and ELA we are able to do many similar things together and do small group for others. I actually love the multi-age class and those perks would make me jump at it every time! I hope you enjoy it too!
Your school is very kind. I am in Maryland and I taught 2/3 and 3/4 combination classes. I liked it because you have the higher 2nd graders and on-grade-level 3rd graders. I did not have any behavior problems and they worked well together. My county did it so much back in the day that they had an A and a B curriculum for combo classes. However, NO perks like you. Once you find your groove you will like it.
You’ve encouraged me about 3rd! I’m moving from 2nd to 3rd.
I have been teaching 4th for 5 years and love it. I personally love the content we teach even though we have the most math standards to cover and state testing is a pain lol. They are independent for the most part and love to help you.
I teach combination 3rd/4th. I think you might love it and the scaling for independent work can be fun.
I can completely relate to moving around. I am finishing up my 8th year of teaching. In order of years, I've taught: 3rd, 2nd, 4th, 4th, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 2nd. I've moved classrooms (up and down stairs, no less) 4 times. Next year, I am moving to....... FIRST GRADE. Oh my word, I am feeling a weird mix of excitement and pure terror. 😅One plus: like you, I don't have to move classrooms!
Gahhhh so hard!
I think that split/combo classes are almost the norm here in Ontario, sometimes rural schools will have multiple grade splits! I am excited to see how the year goes for you 😊
I teach a grade 2/3 this year and will again next year! Our entire school has combo or we call them split grade classes. Those perks sound amazing! I wish!
Organization is key. Having your long range plans ready at the beginning of the year for all subjects makes the year run smoothly.
When I talked to teachers who have taught a combination class, they say teach up using the higher grade because most standards, especially between 2 consecutive grade levels, are the same. The assessment limits are different. The differntiation can come for the lower grade to make sure the skills are scaffolded so they can access the higher standard. That's one way to look at it.
Make sure that the class is full next year because if the other classes have no space, then you will receive any incoming kids regardless of their behavior or academic standing. Standardized testing will be a challenge unless your third graders can be pulled out to be tested by another administrator or resource teacher during that time.
I was in this spot last year. I was told I was going to be a 2/3 blend. When we came back in the fall there was so much change from 1st graders moving I got to stay in a straight 3rd grade which is my 3rd year teaching 3rd. I had previously taught 2nd for 1 year. I too have found 3rd grade is my sweet spot and I have the best teaching partner. :)
Best of luck! I think you’ll be great at this! I love actually teaching and building relationships with sweet kiddos (the jumping through hoops, being harassed, etc not so much). I didn’t teach a split class in my six years of teaching, but I was in one as an elementary student (2/3, plus a few 1st graders joined us for at least part of the day as I recall). I’ve been meaning to pick my teacher’s brain ever since I started teaching because I don’t recall much besides enjoying having her for two years. Maybe this summer we’ll have a proper catch up session, and she’ll tell me how she managed it! I’m guessing a lot of subject integration and using small groups to differentiate. Maybe a dash of Montessori (independent work plans) thrown in 🤷♀️
Yay!!! I am teaching a combination class this school year too
My school is great because while we have tons of kids, there is no room. They can't add and subtract classrooms. There are no classrooms to add. So we stay consistent. The other schools around me always gain and lose classes, but I realized that my school can't really do that because the literal building has no room.
I work at a school where everyone loops, so right now I'm teaching both second and third over and over. This year I'm in third, next year I teach second. I don't like it much lmao, but it has made me a better teacher
Your hair looks AMAZING!
Agreed! It is gorgeous!
When I was in 6th grade I was apart of a 5th/6th combo class. It was mainly 5th graders and then like 8 of us were 6th graders. I don't remember it being a bad experience and it was also the first time I had a male teacher. I also remember we sat at a kidney type table and the 5th graders were at traditional desks. The way you described the way they make combos makes sense at least for the type of student I was. I do not think it hindered my learning or love for learning in any way. I was also in California at the time. Now I am a teacher and have been in Texas since I was 16.
I just took over a 2/3 class after the teach went out on stress leave. So I started this week. I'm in Australia so our year doesn't end up December. It's fun.
I'm stunned you don't have to do lunch duty, also that you have no behaviour issues. My class has huge behaviour issues, but honestly the differentiation for a composite is easier.
The schedule is fairly easy, you just have to not look at it as a normal class. I've done them a few times. I love them.
I feel your struggle, 6th year teacher here and this is how I’ve been flexible:
1st year- 4th
2nd year- 2nd
3rd year- 3/4 loved it!
4th year- 3rd (sorry not my fave by itself lol)
5th- 4th but with half day classes so 48 students 😅
6th (this year)- 2nd found my happy grade!
7th (next year)- STAYING IN 2ND 🤩
It has taught me a lot and made me more mindful of what I have in my classroom (moved every year 🤪). I’m so glad your district let you have perks, might look into it for future years in different states 👀
I hope you love it!!!
I taught. 2/3 combo for 2 years. You’re going to do great
15 years prekindergarten 😂 I can't see myself doing anything else.
Wow, split grades is a very typical thing in my school. No perks given, and certainly behavioural children not exempt. Your situation sounds lovely. Enjoy the year ahead!
I teach a 2/3/4 in Australia. 3 different curriculums is so much fun 🫠 but it’s amazing, find the through lines and teach to ability. I’ve got mixed class reading groups, math groups etc. I’ve only ever taught a straight year level once and ability was just as diverse as I have now.
Hey! First off. I love your videos. I’m in Canada but have taught 2/3 the last couple years and love it!!
I havent taught a combo class but I have taught multiple grade levels in its separate form. It is so much fun!!
Definitely think about where you can overlap instruction, more small group time for grade specific standards, utilize technology ( google classroom, seesaw, Schoology) to deliver lessons or skills like grammar, spelling, and fluency.
We had a combo class in the same grade two years in a row and it was rough. The non combo teachers had all the challenging behaviors jammed into two rooms. I had so many near breakdowns. The combo class may be a challenge to plan but you made the right choice. Just plan using the ccss spiral. It should show you where the standards align. Then, teach the same skills. Hopefully you get the advanced 2nd graders and mid 3rd graders
I taught 6 grade levels in a self contained ESE. I was a product of combo classes growing up 2nd/3rd 5/6. It won’t be as hard as you imagine it to be. Standards spiral. And you’ll have to do more center-based small group instruction maybe. Honestly you have my dream job… I really like second and third grade. I think it would be neat to have a combo of just second and third grade.
In Canada we call that a Split Class. You might try searching that instead of combination.
I would love to hear all your tips and tricks for 2nd grade. I’m moving from 1st grade and would love to get a jump on planning thoughtful procedures.
Hey Shelly,
That’s pretty cool that you get to teach a combo class!! I can’t wait for that content! I’m an elementary education major however I’ve had teaching experience but you know maylene over at Mrs.calls campers she taught a combo class so that’s would be some good inspiration as well
This is my 17th year all at the same school. I'm that teacher you're referring to...the one who has taught 2nd grade for 15 years and 3rd grade for two years. The first year I taught 3rd, I looped up with my 2nd grade class then taught one more year of third after that. I missed 2nd grade so much that I asked my principal to move me back. LOL....I LOVED the independence of 3rd graders but hated the standardized testing aspect of it all. Never again.
Hi! I am a third-year and tentatively placed in a combo but it's 4/5. I did my student teaching with a 4/5 combo... but it was during the virtual year. I have started watching your channel during my student teaching so I am excited to watch and learn how you do it!
In the UK in primary school which is reception (kindergarten), age 4, until year 6 age 11. So the reception class will be on its own, then year 1/2, year 3/4 and year 5/6. It might be worth checking if there are any UK teachers here on TH-cam, or on instagram . I haven’t seen many but you might find a few.
I'm a UK teacher and I have only ever taught combination classes. I currently have year 1 and 2 together .
You will love teaching fourth grade.
Mayleen or Mrs. Crall’s Campers did a K/1 combo I believe. Bridget Speckman did an older combo of 4/5 I believe.
I hope I got their names right. 🤷🏻♀️
I see a lot of stations happening.
Where I am located we call them Split classes. As a parent I am never really thrilled when my kids end up in a split class, especially if they are the older grade. When i was in 6th grade i got put in a 5/6 split, and the class wasn't even, there were only 5 of us 6th graders, everyone else was in 5th grade, and going into Grade 7/middle school i was not well prepared at all. The teacher really focused on the 5th graders because there was more of them i guess, and most of the time we ended up just doing the same work as the 5th graders.
Good luck with the next school year, I’ve never taught a combination class.
I teach 4 different combination classes, it is definitely tough but also great! I currently teach 2nd/3rd grade. I've been coordinating their like subjects and chapter to teach together and my 2nd graders are ahead of the game because I roped them into what I teach 3rd grade.
I’ve taught a composite (combination) for 22 years. I’ve actually never taught a straight level class. In Scotland a combination class is quite normal. Sometimes I teach a triple composite - a 3/4/5.
I’ve always taught a combo sped class- 2/3, 3/4 and next year I’ll be 1/2. It can be alot of work at times but I do really like it
So excited! I have only taught first and second after school reading class during as a student still. Maybe you could assign a third grader to a second grader as a friend/buddy to help each other (sorta like a teacher role the students slip into)?
I have taught a 4/5 combo. The “perks” are nice and grouping of students, however SBAC testing will be a challenge when about half of your students are testing.
Luckily I’ll get to send them out for testing!
I have been teaching 6th grade for 24 years. I even did my student teaching in 6th grade.
How interesting and exciting!
In Germany, you either teach 1-4 oder 5-12. I teach 5-12 and this years i have classes from 7-10 and i love the variety!
My moms taught a majority of her career in 3rd but she’s done 2/3 combo a few times and said it’s a lot easier then 3/4 combo!
Also maybe search “split grade” that’s what we call them in Canada.
I student taught 1/2 combo class. It never made sense to me. I don’t see the benefits from it! But I’m looking forward to seeing your videos and how you adjust to it all!!! Congrats!
Getting ready for 6 grade! Ugh....you jinx me! Lol any advice? Ideas? Creative things to add to my class? Help! K
Bridget taught fourth grade, fifth grade and sixth grade multi aged grade levels
Does California do Guided Math and guided reading? I’m a teacher in Texas and we have guided math and reading which basically, you group your kids into groups by ability/skill and instead of whole group teaching, you teach to rotating small groups. In theory, you could teach 2nd grade math to your 2nd graders and 3rd grade math to your third. Research the guided math and guided reading. I ta been a GAME CHANGER
Been waiting since the ig story lol 😂❤
Girl I did kindergarten my first year(2019/2020), involuntarily moved to 2nd grade in a new building to following year, back to a different one the 3rd year to 4th. This is my third year now haha. It felt so nice to stay but also burned out from 3 different grade levels in my first 3 years.
I teach 3rd in north Houston. My principal also sends out a preference form for our top 3. I also do not care for 2nd!😂 3rd is my sweet spot. We don’t know our placement yet for next year, though we have an idea of how many classes each grade will have. We have never found out this late in the school year, but our district was just rezoned so enrollment numbers are still being finalized. Hoping we will find out in the next few weeks!
I have also been teaching since 2017 and I’ve had 7 classrooms and I’ll be moving to a new one next year and my 4th grade level 😅
I was a fourth grader in a 4th/5th combo class growing up (we were stationed in California at the time!). I absolutely loved that class and have some of my best elementary school memories from fourth grade. My teacher tended to teach the fourth graders and then have us work independently while the fifth graders were taught their lesson (the fifth graders were usually completing the workbook pages or whatever for the previous day's lesson while us fourth graders started the subject time with that day's lesson followed by that day's workbook pages or other such practice). She did combine us for read-aloud- that school year, Harry Potter was still pretty new in the States (it had been out for maybe a year or so), so she spent the entire fall reading us the first HP book. That read-aloud time was so engaging, as none of us knew how to pronounce the names or the spells, so we had a ton of phonics-infused debates and it was great practice with characters, plots, themes, predictions and so on, at both fourth and fifth grade levels. We also did a combined literature study about The Phantom Tollbooth, which is another book I love to this day (thinking back, the fifth graders must have had slightly harder questions to answer than us fourth graders were given, but we all still read the book together and had great discussions). To this day, I still absolutely love the series and I credit my fourth grade teacher for helping me to fall in love with reading thanks to that book!
These are very insightful comments.
My whole para position at my high school is combo heck quadruple class. US History, Gov/Eco, world Geography and funnzy class Forensic Science and Antony and physiology classes. Hard part is every year you pray your go to fav teachers you count stay and don’t move on. Cause you developed good relationships with them that carries too the students you support.
I think for math you could have one grade level on a computer program and one doing the lesson with you and hopefully some kind of aid can come in and monitor the computer kids….
Reading you could do the same whole group lesson.
Writing similar whole group lesson but different the stories they cite from.
Science/SS might be tricky since standards are different but hopefully the school can give you lessons and projects to work on! Maybe you could get the aid to help with one project and you do the other… seems like it can be done!!
This whole comment is my exact thoughts on how I think it will go!! 🤣
I was in a 2/3 combo class and it was my favorite grade!!
Mayleen from Mrs. Call's Campers did a K/1 combo. She has some great videos on what she did.
What! I missed an upload!! So happy to see your face again!
16 years, 6 different classrooms, 4th-7th
I found out about 4 weeks ago that it doesn't matter how long you've been teaching one particular grade, if admin doesn't like you, they will move you around regardless of how long you've been there.
Yikes!! We haven’t experienced that at our site thank goodness
Hey Shelly - I’m from the UK and I have never heard of a combination class before! (also I’m not a teacher but for some reason I really enjoy this kind of content!) Could you maybe explain more about how it works? Really looking forward to watching this journey and hope you get to enjoy the rest of your maternity leave! ❤
It just means that half the class is in 2nd grade and the other half is in 3rd! Nothing more to explain really! I just have to figure out how to do both 🤪
Ah ok 😂 - thank you! Good luck with everything! ❤
Check out Montessori. I have taught 1st-3rd for 5 years. Just do a lot of small groups.
I would love to see your ideas on combination classes I’m a sped teacher but I do two different grade levels.
My first year of teaching I taught a 4th-8th. In November they gave me a kindergartener, two first graders, and a 3rd grader on top of my two 4th graders, five 5th graders, one 6th grader, and one 8th grader. I was also in charge of all recesses, phy Ed, and computers. They had someone teach music twice a week and a parent came in to do art one day a week. My salary for the year was $21,000 with no benefits. Needless to say you've got this and you will be amazing with you split class lol!
WTF?!?? That seems illegal lol
@@EarlyEDventures Lol yeah... I should've mentioned it was a private school and I wanted the experience of teaching a multi level classroom. It did land me my dream grade (3rd) at a dream school the following year, so I count it as a win in the long run.
I have 4 grades in the same class this year and it will be the same next year 😅but i live in France 🇫🇷 it is so different ! 2 grades will be ok dont worry ❤
You need to check out Mayleen Call. I've watched her videos and remember she taught a K-1 combo a few years ago.
She’s a friend of mine! I feel like K is a whole different beast though. I’ll definitely reach out!
I was thinking she might help with how to split time between the grades.
Wow I thought our school in Northern MI was small but we have 4 classes for k-5 and 1 JK. I can't imagine 2 or 3.
Ooh, I don’t know why but I would love to teach 3/4 combo class. 😅
we call the combo class split. i was in a grade 5/6 split with me being in grade 6 and there wasn't that many in my class that were in my grade. i think there was just a handful of us and the rest of the class was in grade 5.
I’m going to middle school after 6 years in special education K-5.
Mayleen did a combo class
Yes I need to reach out to her!
When I was in 3rd grade, i was in a combination of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. Was really fun, but as a teacher, I would lose my mind. Do you have state testing? State testing starts in 3rd and just wondered how that works if you do.
This must be a very small school. My school has 9 teachers just in first grade.
We got a form for our preference however I didn’t get one of choice…. So that being said I got assigned to 3rd and I’m trying to wrap my mind around it. Any advice with this grade?
I think you would love 4th grade!
Probably! But I would just get moved again the following year and don’t wanna start from scratch 🤪
@@EarlyEDventures makes sense! I've been loving your what I eat in a days! I'm 7 weeks pp and I find them super motivating!! I'm just starting to get back to working out!
@@allisong3736 that’s awesome!! Congrats on your little one 🤍