Teaching 3rd grade this year after teaching 5th for five years...help!!

I am having a rough time this year.

We've been back with the kids since Aug. 25th. I'm having a really rough time because these kids really are still BABIES compared to what I'm used to.

I need some ideas for transition routines. We have the worst time coming to the carpet, back from reading spots, etc. etc.

I am just failing miserably this year. I'm not having fun, and I'm pretty sure my kids aren't, either

Re: Teaching 3rd grade this year after teaching 5th for five years...help!!

Maybe something simple that will get their attention with minimal energy from you. If you have table numbers, call the kids to the carpet by table number. When you have more time and want to tie into their "youngness" call them back to their seats by a color they are wearing, the months they were born in, etc.

Hope it gets easier!!

Re: Teaching 3rd grade this year after teaching 5th for five years...help!!

I hope this year comes around for you. I've taught Nursery, PK, 2nd, 3rd & 4th & 3rd was my absolute FAVE. They are still so willing to please & for the most part don't talk back & are still excited about school.

For transitions you can do something simple like AP said....if you're wearing jeans or if your name starts w/ a "T" or even use music. Kids this age are still "babyish" (I'm in private school & would still do morning meeting w/ them a few times a week & we had a mascot & did multiplication tables baseball & spelling bees).

Re: Teaching 3rd grade this year after teaching 5th for five years...help!!

Posted by ricaim

Maybe something simple that will get their attention with minimal energy from you. If you have table numbers, call the kids to the carpet by table number. When you have more time and want to tie into their "youngness" call them back to their seats by a color they are wearing, the months they were born in, etc.

Hope it gets easier!!

Re: Teaching 3rd grade this year after teaching 5th for five years...help!!

Check out Responsive Classroom. It is a great program that focuses on modeling transitions and all the behaviors we sometimes "assume" they already have.

Re: Teaching 3rd grade this year after teaching 5th for five years...help!!

I teach 3rd. Some of the things I do ~

When trying to get them to the meeting area I tell them I'm timing then and I watch the clock. We try to beat one minute and I tell them it doesn't count if they are noisy, run or are unprepared. That usually works like a charm for some reason.

To get their attention I do baby stuff like "1-2-3 Eyes on me" and they respond "1-2 Eyes on you". The whole school also uses "Give me Five" where you put up a hand and the 5 things to do are look at speaker, be silent, stay still, put things down and listen.

I also have a discipline/reward plan and if they don't transition correctly they get a warning.

Re: Teaching 3rd grade this year after teaching 5th for five years...help!!

Re: Teaching 3rd grade this year after teaching 5th for five years...help!!

I totally understand how you feel!!!! I went from 1st grade to Prek 3 yr olds and I am miserable!!!! I loveeeddddd 1st grade I could've been a 1st grade teacher my whole career! I would look for tips in Early Childhood Education books. 3rd grade is still considered part of Early childhood. Good luck!