4/5 combo class

[Unregistered]

I will be teaching a 4th and 5th grade combo class this year. I have never taught a combo class before. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Marcy Davis- 3/4 teacher]

Centers work great for times like this. I do almost my entire instruction with centers. Give them a try.

[Unregistered]

how do you do most of your instruction in centers? please fill me in. im interested. i teach 3rd grade.

[Unregistered]

I taught a 4/5 combo last year. For Math I had one grade work on computing problems in their books, or working in small groups to solve word problems while I gave direct instruction to the other grade then we switched. So if I started the day with 4th grade D.I. the 5th grade would be working on review problems from yesterday or earlier in the week, or they would be working in small cooperative groups to solve word problems. Then I would set the 4th grade to practice solving some problems from the lesson I just taught and I would switch over to 5th grade, review their assigned problems and then move on to the days D.I. -Note- I have great classroom managment and my students really work hard independantly. That is the key to your success.

For reading I have a district mandated reading program so I used the 4th grade series and then I modified and supplemented for my fifth graders to make it more challenging ( I had 21 4th graders and 11 5th graders- 3 went out for reading).

For science I did 2 units of 4th grade and 2 units of 5th grade since our state tests 5th graders on 4th and 5th grade science.

[Unregistered]

I will be teaching a 4th and 5th grade combo class this year. I have never taught a combo class before. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Although it is not the ideal situation for you or the students, it can work with a little extra planning. I teach a 4/5 gifted/high ability combo and I have found that if I assess all students before teaching math concepts or language arts skills, then I can effectively provide instruction to 2 ability groups as opposed to grade level groups. Then, I know that I am addressing their needs more. In certain subjects like social studies and science, I team with the other grade teacher. My partner agreed to teach all the science to our 4th graders and even my 5th graders, and then I teach the social studies to both groups. If I didn't have her assistance, it would mean teaching those grades separately while the other grade worked independently on something else the vice versa. The main thing is to use your 5th graders as role models and encourage your 4th graders to meet up to the challenge.

[Unregistered]

I wanted to just let you know that if you go to www.ocup.org you will be able to find units (i.e. Math, Science, etc) that are designed to deal with split grade classes (as well as for straight grades). These units are designed to meet the Curriculum expectations for Ontario -- but you may find them helpful in looking how to structure things (and to get good ideas).

[Unregistered]

Centers work great for times like this. I do almost my entire instruction with centers. Give them a try.

who am i? I want to die hehehe

[Gossioii4]

Excellent tips .I really appreciate all these points, and I agree completely…

[Unregistered]

I taught a 4/5 split last year and LOVED it. They are at an awesome age and it was a great mix of kids. I would definitely talk to your admin to see if you can teach a couple units from each grade for science and social studies. It makes life so much easier. With Math, the themes are often the same with similar lessons that can be taught at the same time. What I did was direct teach the grade 4 lesson to all (as it was a review for the grade 5's) then get the 4's working on their assignment and then go over the grade 5 expecatations with the others. Language Arts is also easy to teach together by establishing grade level (or ability-level) expectations for the groups. Like someone else said, you will probably see the grade 4's blossom and try to keep up or surpass the grade 5's. The grade 5's will also serve as a great role models to the 4's as they won't put up with "childish" behaviour, because they're grade 5's :P
Have an awesome year!

[Unregistered]

I really liked all the suggestions. I am new to combo classes let alone intermediate grades. I have taught 1st grade for a while, now I am thrown into a 4/5 combo. I am in need of any suggestions I can get. Thanks.

[Unregistered]

Thanks for all the great ideas. I have math pretty much figured out. My district wants us to use separate curriculums for the grades though, because if I use 4th, the 5th graders already had it, and if I use 5th, the 5th graders will get it again next year. Now what I need to figure out is some independent ideas for Language Arts to start the period off, while I am teaching the other grade level...

[Zimmie]

For language arts, you could try offering a choice of 6-8 novels at various reading levels and let the kids choose what they will read, then work together in small groups. To make sure they are all getting basic language skills regardless of what book they read, you might look at the Grammargator Guides from grammargator. They offer companion language study workbooks for many popular children's novels such as Bud, not Buddy, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Number the Stars, Hatchet, the Phantom Tollbooth, and many others.

There is also a complete Teacher's Guide.

Good luck!

Jo Ann