I have an announcement!!! I’m sure you can guess what it is based on the title of this post but I am changing grades! I’M GOING TO BE TEACHING 6TH GRADE MATH AND SCIENCE! This year I’m excited for the grade change, but this hasn’t always been the case. No matter which side you fall on, I have some tips and tricks to help you out with grade changes!
I have changed grades every year I’ve taught so this is not new to me but I’m excited to share what I do each time I change grades. I’ve gone from 6th grade math–>5th grade elementary –> 3rd grade elementary –> 8th grade math –> 6th grade math/science. Some of these changes I choose: 6th-5th and then 8th – 6th grade math/science. Some of these changes I really didn’t want originally (5th to 3rd) and some feelings in between.
1. When changing grades, your feelings are valid.
No matter which way you feel about a grade change, your feelings are valid. Maybe you love this change and are excited! Maybe you hate this change and feel like you might lose your teacher spark by taking this change. Or maybe you love part of the change but not the other (like leaving teacher besties for your favorite grade, or taking your favorite grade but maybe not your favorite subject…). Your feelings are valid. They are valuable.
2. Keep an open mind when asked to change grades or subjects.
No matter how you are feeling (re #1), keep an open mind. I originally didn’t want to move from 5th to 3rd. In fact I cried in the hallway after the meeting (not my finest moment…). I never thought I’d be a 3rd grade teacher, they were too little, not middle schoolers, I didn’t go to college for this… I had lots of reasons why I’d fail. But a teacher I worked with gently pulled me aside and told me all the things she loved about 3rd grade. She had taught multiple grades and 3rd was her favorite. I pretty much let her talk at me and the longer I listened the more I started to change my mind. So let your mind be a little more open. This might not happen the day/week that you first get told but let it happen.
3. Seek examples from your new grade.
Similar to #2, seek out people who are teaching that grade/subject and steal their excitement. Instagram is a perfect place to do this! When I found out I’d be teaching 5th grade, I stalked all sorts of 5th grade teachers. When I needed to try to love 3rd grade, I sought out teachers who were showing their ideas/room/lessons on Instagram or blog. I’m not entirely sure about 6th grade science next year so I searched Instagram looking for the most excited 6th grade science teachers!
4. Get organized with both your past grade and new grade.
I love being organized! Anytime I get a new grade change I organize my digital files (check out this post for ideas), and get ready to move classrooms. I plan out my new room, change up decorations/labels, or just buy a new binder for the new grade. Getting and keeping yourself organized is key, especially the more grades you change. You might also be tempted to get rid of things for your old grade and honestly if it will help you embrace the new grade level, do it! If getting rid of certain grade level books or activities will make you sad, then keep it if you can. I’ve done both and both ways have helped me at different times! There’s no wrong way to do it.
5. Find the good in every grade.
There are good things and not so good things about every single grade. Find the good and focus on it. Third graders are so little and not very independent at the beginning of the year, but they change so much over the year and teaching fairy tales and multiplication facts were my favorite! Find the good, always find the good. And if there truly isn’t any good, make the good. Maybe it’s having a classroom theme, buying your favorite book to read aloud, or maybe it’s finding a teacher friend that you can connect with.
6. This isn’t forever.
This tip is similar to tip #2 but honestly this is one that I come back to all the time. A grade change won’t last forever. Just like when you were moved, or chose to move, it won’t last forever. This is both a blessing (if the grade isn’t for you) and a cruse (if the grade is your favorite). Reminding yourself that this won’t last can really help you live it up or just get you through it. Enjoy the change!
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