When I left school in early June, I would be teaching four science classes. Then a couple of weeks ago because of my AIG certification, I would now be teaching one language arts class and three science classes. I can say I wasn't mad about that.
As of yesterday, I will now be teaching two language arts classes and two science classes. At first, I can honestly say I was slightly disappointed but after some reflecting, realized it was a GREAT plan.
I will be on a four person team with three other AWESOME teachers and because of the certification of two of us, we have worked out a(n)
Yay to the school year starting out on a good note and for a fabulous team that has been assembled. And the best part, school hasn't even started and we are all working together and in the best interest of our students.
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Wait! No one consulted me about this change! I just found your blog last night and was SO excited to have found another secondary Social Studies teacher with great ideas. It was a breath of fresh air...not that I don't love those elementary blogs, but the ideas are difficult to transfer to my 8th grade students.
ReplyDeleteSigh...
It never seems to be all abut me even though I keep telling people otherwise. Ha.
Seriously, though, I did have a question for you. You mentioned using InspirEd materials in your SS ISN's. Can you tell me more about these materials. I found the site and the cost, but I could not find sample pages or a way to gauge if the material will work for my 8th grade G/T students. Do you have any insight you can share before I invest $30 in the first book?
Bek! I am so glad you stumbled upon my little corner of the world. I wasn't consulted about the change either, but I can say I'm not completely upset about it. I am looping to 7th grade with my students from 6th grade and that makes me happy, so I am rolling with whatever changes occur.
DeleteI am not much of a social studies teacher - last year was my first year and I muddled through it. The InspirEd units were a lifesaver for me! Check out teacherspayteachers.com and search for InspirEd Educators...there you can find the unit you are looking for and download a preview.
I don't have many SS resources, but I did find (thanks to pinterest) a pretty neat idea that changes clock buddies to compass buddies...if you provide me with your email address I will share it with you.
Check out the InspirEd Educators store at TpT InspirEd Educators
Randy
Relder@sacs.k12.in.us
DeleteI would love to see your compass buddies idea. Thank you for thinking of that! The clock buddies is a little "tired" by the 8th grade, so I am always looking for a way to make things "new" again for students who have 'been there & done that' in classes that used collaborative methods.
Yay! That sounds like it will be a positive change. Can't wait to see some of things you do with your students this year.
ReplyDeleteThat is so exciting! I was shuffled around a bit too this year, teaching 7th grade for the first time ever! I'm excited (for me) because maybe you will do ISN's with your language arts? Can't wait to see what you come up with, good luck!
ReplyDeleteTeaching and Tech
Hey Jen!
DeleteThanks for commenting! I am very excited about moving back to 7th grade. I guess I was just a "one-hit wonder" in 6th grade.
I am planning to use INBs in language arts and science this year. My principal wants me to just use livebinders, but until I have an iPad or laptop for each student I am holding strong with my INBs.
I will share what I remember to take pictures of and those things that seem to be working. Hopefully I won't disappoint.
Randy
I completely agree! I'd love to go all tech, but I'm really excited to use the notebook. I'm just going to test it out with my 7th graders because I only have one class, the rest are 8th grade and I think I'll stick with what I know there this year. Again, thanks for all the great resources!
DeleteTeaching and Tech
I saw your post on Lessons from the Middle's FB page! I am doing the blog hop/giveaway with her! Glad I saw your post on her page! Good to find another awesome middle grades blogger!
ReplyDeleteBe well!
Ann Marie Smith @ Innovative Connections
It's wonderful you can be so positive about the "changes" as they always send me in a tizzy. (Content area teaching changes, other changes I pretty much roll with the flow.)
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you guys get to teach LA before lunch--will the other 2 teachers on your team be teaching Math before lunch as well? It's neat to me to see how different schools do the teaming different--every 4-man team I've been on each teacher has 1 content. Last year I was on a 2-man team and had Math(2) and SS(2), then it switched and we did cross teaming so I only had 3-math classes. This year I am on a 3-man team teaching Math and SS again...but only 1 SS class.
Middle School--where things change daily :o)
Arlene,
DeleteWe normally just teach one subject on a 4-man team, but because one other teacher and I on the team are both certified language arts, science, and social studies it worked out for us to be able to do the two language arts, two science plan. It wasn't the original plan, but because of my AIG certification I had to teach the two language arts classes. The other two teachers are only certified math/science and language arts/social studies so it didn't work out the same for them. I am excited to try it and see how it goes.
This is the most change I've had on one summer...school starts in 2 weeks for teachers, so we will have to wait and see if this is still the plan then. I am on vacation until then and am just trying not to get to settled with the current plan until we actually get back and find out for sure if anythting else has changed.
Randy
We start back in exactly 2 weeks from tomorrow...pre-planning. Worked in my room for a few hours this morning figured I will work a few hours daily and it won't be as bad.
ReplyDeleteHave a great year!
Just wanted to stop in and let you know how excited I am to have found your blog. I toyed with the idea of INB's for 3 years before finally jumping into the pool last year with my 7th grade ELA students. It was both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. There is just such a lack of information about ELA notebooks.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful to have found you! Just thought you should know that I will now be stalking you. Can't wait to see what this year has in store for you.
Just found your blog and I love it! I will be changing subjects this year and teaching 7th grade language arts. For the past 4 years I have been teaching 7th grade science and social studies. I used INB in science all 4 years. A fantastic site that is already set up for ISN (interactive science notebook) is www.middleschoolscience.com. It is a fantastic resource and has tons of information. There are great foldables too! I am going to try the INB in language arts this year and would love to see what you will be doing this year with your 7th graders. I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!
ReplyDeleteJennifer