I've been waiting to post this for fear of something going wrong but since I start tomorrow... I got a permanent teaching job! I will be working at a private school for kids with emotional disturbance and behavior problems, very similar to a school I did a long-term sub job in last year. I did have to leave the short-term sub job I was currently in, but they understood since this is a permanent position! If you've read my previous job search posts, this is one of the schools that I had to turn down a position for, for another position that didn't work out. They ended up calling me again when something new popped up! I will be teaching 5th-8th grade in one classroom. Right now I only have 8 kids (maximum is 12) and I think they're fifth, seventh, and eighth graders. I am really excited to start and finally get the year rolling! Anyone have any tips on multiage classrooms? Obviously a lot of small group work and independent work, especially with the behavior issues. I am considering trying to implement Daily 5 in my room- anyone have any thoughts on that? I've used it before and really like it!
Congratulations! Lots of small groups. And if you have an aide, USE HER (or him). I was an aide in a similar program for 8 years and some teachers were reluctant to use their aides for academics for some reason. Make sure they're familiar and comfortable with the material, of course, but put them to work. I did the Daily 5 in a student teaching placement in a multi-age classroom and I think it worked really well and would use it in a heartbeat if I end up in a similar setting. I think the kids respond well to the explicit instruction of how it works and it allows for a lot of individual/small group differentiation. Good luck!
