I'm looking for some help!
My school is considering departmentalizing or team teaching in first grade next year.
It all stems from our recent 3-5 grade state test scores. Since I am in Texas, we are not following the Common Core. Texas chose not to adopt the standards. However, we have state STAAR testing for 3-5 grades. Last year the test was new and so it was considered a practice test. Our 3-5 grade students had been taking the TAKS test. The STAAR scores from last year came out last week. Our school did extremely well in Reading, Writing and Science. Our 4th and 5th graders did fabulous in Math. However, there was over a 20% increase in Math scores from 3rd grade to 4th grade. Therefore, our administration believes it could be because K-2 spends a great deal of time teaching reading. Although we spend a lot of time during our day teaching our Math skills or standards, we may not be spending enough time on Math or we may not be spending it effectively. They are toying around with the idea of having our first grade teachers become experts in a specific subject matter, so each teacher can dig deeper into their subject. They are wondering if a teacher focuses her planning on Math, and not on all of the other areas (Reading, Writing, Phonics, Science, Social Studies, etc...) can we better prepare our students for 3rd grade Math?
Is there anyone out there that is teaching departmentalized first grade? Does anyone team teach in first grade? When I say team teach, does anyone teach Reading or Math and have another first grade teacher teach the opposite and the students switch from class to class?
I would love to get your feedback, advice, comments, concerns, suggestions, etc...!!
Hi Corinna,
ReplyDeleteWe had thought about this a few years back, but it was felt that too much time would be lost with students switching from class to class. It was also felt that younger students would do better with the consistency of one teacher. We teach thematically and the overall logistics of it were difficult. We do departmentalize for science, social studies, art, P.E., and music with an end of the day rotation. Let us know how it goes if you begin to departmentalize. It's an interesting topic.
Mona
First Grade Schoolhouse
I completely understand the concerns you have raised. I've wondered about the time lost during transitions. We used to teach thematically and I absolutely loved it. However, the district has given us a scope and sequence with formative and summative assessments and it has made it extremely difficult to teach thematically or integrate. Plus, the state changed our Science standards and they don't lend themselves towards integration either. I'm interested in what you mention about departmentalizing science, social studies, art, P.E., and music. Is that what we would call specials? Our students go to Art, Music and P.E. during the week and that is when I get a planning period.
DeleteThank you for leaving a comment and your advice. I appreciate it!
Several years ago, my friend and I did it in kindergarten. She taught math and science and I taught reading and social studies. The kids were learning, but I thought just like Mona that the younger kids do better with consistency. The other problem I had was I didn't feel like I could answer the parent's questions about how their children were doping in math.
ReplyDeleteI teach first grade now and we just started with Everyday Math. I do not like it and so now, departmentalizing is starting to look better.lol
My daughter is in 4th and when they have conferences, all three of her teachers sit in the romm and you just go to each teacher to see how your child is doing in each subject. My friend and I didn't think to do that, so that might have helped. On the flip side, my daughter hates changing classes, she did it in 3rd too, I think she just wants a place to call "home".
Kelly @ I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher
I'm a speech path. I think you've done a good job of explaining the pros and cons. Most 1st-graders I've seen are able to handle the switch just fine. I work with the special needs kids, though, and many of those need to connect with one teacher. Also, from my viewpoint, team teaching involves a few more things to consider. When scheduling for tutorials, speech and Sp. Ed., both teachers need to be involved in the discussion and not say, "You can't have the kid from my class, go talk to the other teacher". Both teachers need to attend ARDs/IEPs so that we're not sitting around going "Math is the concern, but the math teacher isn't here because she's not the homeroom teacher, so we can't discuss that here." I have been in situations like that, and it's not fun. I'm fortunate to work in a school where the team teachers really do work together on scheduling, knowing the kid, and attending meetings.
ReplyDeleteOh, How Pintearesting!
Wow! I hadn't thought about that. That would be a lot more ARDs or RTI meetings to attend. You are right. We would need to attend the meetings for the students across our team. Thank you for leaving a comment and pointing out this concern.
DeleteThank you. We're also going to team teach next year and I hadn't thought of this. Hopefully we can address it now so we don't end up in a situation like that!
DeleteI think this idea is better suited to the older students. I think you could do it for a couple of subjects but not every day. Our school tried this many years ago. We stopped doing it after a year for the younger students but continued it for the older students. It was too unsettling for the little ones. The little first graders were just out of Kindergarten and it was difficult for them.
ReplyDeleteAfter several years, we stopped for the 3-6 students as well. There were some children who could not handle the constant changing each day.
I know some subjects are stand alone but many times we integrate our teaching and learning activities. To me it would make my day feel too disjointed.
Here in NSW Australia, we have 2 hours off class each week for preparation and in that time our students have a different teacher for health, science and computers. This works well and there are no problems for the students. They adapt very well even our kindergartens who have only been at school for a week.
And...don't forget about nurturing. This is something that is not written in our curriculum but the little ones need that.
Rhonda
Classroom Fun
Hi Corrina,
ReplyDeleteOur new super has mentioned that he would like us to departmentalize in K-2 by the 2014-2015 school year. All the teachers are against it, but we're waiting until closer to the dealine to "make a fuss" so to speak!
I'll be keeping tuned int to see what your school decides. it's definitely an interesting and controversial topic!
Thanks for bringing this topic up!
Halle
Across the Hall in 2nd Grade
Hi Corrina,
ReplyDelete1/2 of our team decided to departmentalize for this year kind of as a pilot. I teach the reading/writing, one teaches math, and another teaches the science/social studies. 3 days of the week we have 90 minute blocks and 2 days a week we have 80 minute blocks. At first, I'll admit, I was FREAKING out...but now all is good. I'm more than willing to share our schedules and the nitty gritty stuff with you if you want. One thing it totally comes down to is trust and support in your teammates. My team works very well together and it makes a huge impact in how our day is structured and how we interact with our children and their families.
Jenn
A Pirates Life for Us