Need lots of help!

[BuBerry3]

This is my first year as a teacher...6th grade...in a new state. I need help! Our district is trying to incorporate all kinds of new expectations for teachers, many of them good, but I am feeling like I have no organization. I always thought I was very organized, but I am finding myself leaving things all over the place and not finding it until days later.

We have weekly standardized quizzes and monthly benchmark tests. We are to incorporate the data immediately into reading, writing and math centers. I feel like as soon as I get my groups changed, it is time for the next set of testing. I am always playing catch up.

Additionally, we have a access to PLATO which is on the internet and we assign work to students based on their benchmark tests so they can be supplementing objectives throughout the year. I cannot find the time to check in where they are at and use it to any advantage.

Lesson plans. We have lesson plans due at 9:00 every Saturday. This is fine, but they end up being about 20 pages long. So far the other 6th grade teacher and I have been splitting lesson subjects for writing the plans. Writing the plans for half the subjects has been taking me about 4-6 hours a week and now I will be doing all the subjects. How do I manage this?

I feel like I am not learning the material well enough before teaching it.

I am in desperate need of a lot of help...any suggestions will be dearly appreciated:eek:

[dsmms]

No wonder you are behind with all that testing taking up perfectly good instructional time. It is amazing that the answer for trying to bring kids up to speed is to take more time testing them (because they are getting so much from that:confused:)!

[BuBerry3]

I agree... they barely learn something new before they are being tested on it.

[AW2245]

Wow...wish I had some great idea for you :( I feel for you.

[davergrl]

i feel the same way....always behind. i wish i had some suggestions for you......if i find a way, i will let you know.

[teacher5]

Is there a way that students can keep traci of where they are on PLATO and then turn that paper into you? I am not familiar with PLATO. The set up really stinks. But until the kids and the parents complain, not the teachers because what do we know, it will remain in place. This is the residual of NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND, or as I call it, Every Child Pushed Ahead! You need to find or create with you team Quiz an Test Prep material that aligns each week's quiz or test. Yes, it's boring and tedious work for the kids and time consuming for you, but that is what the administration wants, so you have to give it to them. Try to get each teacher in your team/grade level to create one or more of these prep sheets in each subject. Then share. Catalog and save them for next year because this is not going away too soon. You don't want to create the same wheel again next year. Try to get your colleagues to write plans for one subject area each week, and then you all use everyone else's plans. I know how you feel. I want to be Smarter Than a Fifth Grader when I stand before or work with my classes, but there are just so many hours in the day and week. You all have to share the responsibility or you will burn out. Good luck!

[BuBerry3]

teacher5...your ideas are great! I think collaborating together will definitely make this process better. I absolutely agree that what I use this year needs to be saved and reused next year so as to not repeat what I have experienced as a first year teacher. We are on our fall break now and so I am trying to take this time to really get planned and prepared for the next quarter.

[SS Rocks!]

Organization has been one of my struggles, too. I misplace stuff constantly. If it's papers you have been losing, I would recommend perhaps using labeled folders or binders. This has been working for me this year. I make sure I keep related items in folders and often color code my folders to help me locate them. The big obstacle here is getting the papers in the folders.


As far as the testing, you have my deepest sympathy.:itsok:

[Lorrayne]

i was just wondering-do you have to have written tests. Can you ask an Open Question, put the children into groups and then let them discuss the point. Group work is wonderful for helping students develop a deeper understanding of the topic. A simple one I used recently for fractions with my Grade 6 was , "The answer is 3/4" What is the question? I also ask the students to write one question for homework and then type these up as a quiz- it gives you a great insight into the students understanding. Brainstorming as a class or written reflections on the weeks work are also quick and effective assessments. I think the secret is to mix the assessments not just give written tests and to keep everything that works well for next year. Teaching is always very demanding in your first year.