Saturday, May 26, 2012

Big Big B-I-G News!!

Well...I have been keeping a secret for a few days now. Actually, a few weeks. Let me explain--

I think you longtime readers know how passionate I am about math and math instruction. (In fact, I now have a Master's in Math Curriculum and Instruction!) I watch my 4th graders struggle year after year in math, mostly due to them trying to build new information and ideas on top of a weak foundation. It leaves them frustratrated and confused. I do all I can to get them where they need to be, but it doesn't fix the problem. I have just been applying band-aids! After many months of personal turmoil (wondering how much longer I could continue to apply band-aids) I decided to talk to my awesome and super supportive principal about it. I expressed an interest in moving to a lower grade level to help with building a strong mathematical foundation in our kids. She AGREED and started working on her master plan. For the last month I have known that I would probably not be in 4th grade next year, but nothing was certain. My prospective grade level was "narrowed down" to 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade. Well, I FINALLY found out for certain on Wednesday of this week. Are you ready for this??! Next year, I will be in...



FIRST GRADE!! :O What do you think about that??!?!?!


I am TOTALLY excited, especially about doing math. However, I've got a lot to learn because (other than student teaching in 1st and 2nd) I haven't taught any other grade or subject other than math, science and social studies OR been self-contained! Any ideas or advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!!


There's one other thing--help me decide what to do with my blog!!! I will continue to blog but am unsure of how I will go about this. I will either create a separate blog just for 1st OR just continue to blog on here and change my name. Please vote below! (I do still plan on making and sharing upper grade products/ideas though, so don't worry!!!)

Help me decide! Should I create a whole new blog or just revamp mine for 1st grade??
Create a new one!
Keep the same blog!
Create your own poll with LearnMyself


40 comments:

  1. Congrats Janaye!!

    Although I will miss seeing all your great 4th grade resources, I am excited that you are going to be able to help build a strong math base with your future kiddos!! I wish you the best of luck!!

    Molly
    Lessons with Laughter

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congrats to you. Enjoy 1st grade. I spent 3 years in first before eventually ending up in 3rd.


    Yearn to Learn Blog

    ReplyDelete
  3. I totally understand your frustrations-my 6th graders have the same problems. I think it's great that you're moving down to help build a strong foundation! Good luck next year!

    Laura
    Will Grade For Coffee

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have been teaching 4th grade for two years now and I found your blog this year. I have read it weekly and loved all of your ideas. I will also be moving to first grade next year so this is great news for me! :) I am excited to hear about your year and how you work with your students in first. I look forward to the new blog...or new grade on the same blog. :)

    -Felicia

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congrats!! How exciting!! I am so excited to teach 1st next year as well.

    Miss J

    Smiles, Crayons, and Endless Stories

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congratulations!! That's great news! It is so important for kids to build a strong mathematical foundation early. I have been teaching 1st grade for 7 years now & I love it. I think the hardest thing will be their level of dependence, especially after having 4th graders. However, 1st grade is so awesome, because of all of the growth that they make over the course of the year in all subjects. I am very excited to see what ideas you come up with especially for math. :)
    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congratulations! What an exciting change for you!

    Jen
    Runde's Room

    ReplyDelete
  8. If you don't already know about him, Mr. Smith has a fantastic site called Teachertipster.com and he is a 1st grade teacher.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Welcome to the Wonderful Land of First Grade!!!

    Lori@
    bee-the-change.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. How exciting! I'm looking forward to learning more from your great math ideas!
    Swamp Frog First Graders

    ReplyDelete
  11. That is so exciting! I teach first grade and absolutely LOVE it! Congratulations :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Welcome to first! So exciting! I switched from 7th and 8th to first and couldn't have been happier. Best of luck!

    Oh, and I'm your newest follower!

    Maureen
    The First Grade Splash
    My TpT Store

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congratulations!! You will love it! I'm moving from 4th grade to kindergarten!! Next year will be my 13th year teaching and my 9th year teaching Kindergarten so I feel like I am going "home"

    I also tried to figure out what to do with my blog and decided to just start a new one! Check it out at: http://krazykinderteacher.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  14. It'd be great to share how to create strong Mathematical foundations.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Congratulations! I am moving to first grade next year as well :) I spent 5 years in 5th and this year in 2nd. Totally agree with building a strong math foundation.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Welcome to the First Grade Team!! Stop over and check us out! First Grade is fun!!

    Lori
    Little Priorities

    ReplyDelete
  17. I just found your blog. I teach 1st and it's great! I hope you'll stop by my blog.
    :) Dana
    www.funin1stgrade.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm super excited for you. I think there is something magical about 1st grade. Good luck to you!
    ☺ Tanya
    First Grade is Fantabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Welcome to first grade! I've enjoyed your blog so much and can't wait to read about your adventures teaching math to firsties!
    --Chrissy
    http://firstgradefoundme.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Congrats!! I'd just change your tagline... Tales of a 1st Gr Teacher :)
    ❤Teri
    A Cupcake for the Teacher

    ReplyDelete
  21. You are amazing! Can you come teach at my school :) Congratulations!!!
    ☼Kate
    To The Square Inch

    ReplyDelete
  22. Congratulations! However, as a new blogger follower who has gotten so many ideas from you, I'm going to miss all the ideas for fourth grade. I teach fourth grade math and science. I've been collecting ideas for the last few months to create math and science journals for next year. I'll miss your fabulous fourth grade ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Woo hoo! Bring on more great resources for first grade teachers. I agree with Teri...keep the blog, but change the tagline. You will LOVE first grade! They are the coolest kids on the planet, without a doubt.

    ENJOY!!! Congratulations!

    Lyndsey
    A Year of Many Firsts

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congratulations - building the proper foundations is critical in K & 1, and it can make or break students for th elong journey ahead, as you have witnessed. I hope this makes many teachers rethink their way of how material is presented... :) Best of luck in 1st!!!

    ~Kimberlee~
    Two Fulbright Hugs
    Teacher TimeSavers

    ReplyDelete
  25. Congratulations on your new adventure! I know you are excited!

    Elizabeth
    Fun in Room 4B

    ReplyDelete
  26. I say keep the same blog! I created a new blog to combine my love of reading, running, and teaching (and wouldn't go back). However, I have gone from about 150 followers to 37! :)

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Janaye,

    Congratulations! That is so exciting. 1st grade is a fun age to teach. You will do wonderfully, I just know it!
    I encourage you to keep blogging on this blog. I have really enjoyed it. I believe you could build on what you already have here.

    Again Congrats! I'm so happy for you!

    Jacque

    ReplyDelete
  28. WOW! It's a big move but I am sure you will do wonders for your first graders next year. I spent four years in 1st grade before being "asked" by my principal to move to 3rd grade. I LOVED it! The foundation is SOOOO critical as you know having seen the consequences of when it is not there in 4th grade. There are lots of awesome resources out there and the fact that you are proactive will only work in your favor. Congrats and best wishes next year!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. You will love first grade. I have taught it for 2 years. They love to learn and they love math. I would keep your blog, it's has a primary feel, and just change your tagline. I am moving from 1st to 6-8th science and am going through the same decisions with my blog. But yours would work great for first :)
    Pamela
    First Class Teacher

    ReplyDelete
  30. Welcome to First Grade! You will love it! Can't wait to read about your great 1st grade math ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Congratulations! First grade is SO MUCH FUN and the fact that you'll be helping out the kids' math foundation is super important! Good luck, and have fun blog surfing this summer to get some great ideas! :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. I am excited for myself because I know you will share some fabulous early elementary math ideas!!!!!!!! :) Yay for first grade!!

    Marvelous Multiagers!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Congrats!!!! I bet you will love it :)




    Check out my new blog- I am giving away a $25 gc to Target to celebrate!
    http://everynewbeginningblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/25-target-gift-card-giveaway.html

    ReplyDelete
  34. I just found your blog and LOVE LOVE LOVE the name. I'm your newest follower and cannot wait to read about your experience teaching math in 1st grade :) What a great opportunity!

    Katie
    Dirty Hands and Lesson Plans

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love your blog name! I'm having the same issue... I'm moving from 2nd to 4th!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Create a new one because I am moving to 4th and need lots of help from this current blog!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Congratulations!! You will do amazing and I can't wait to hear about all of your new adventures.

    Loose Shoelaces

    ReplyDelete
  38. Congratulations! Your dream has become a reality! As a kindergarten teacher, I am excited to see what you will be doing in 1st. :-)

    Keep the blog and change the header description. I don't know how difficult it is to create a new following with a domain/name change. You have over 1000 followers--hurray!
    ReadWriteSing

    ReplyDelete
  39. Congrats! You and i are doing the switcheroo. I am going from first to fourth next year. I believe you and I both have BIG adventures in store!

    Heather
    Peacocksandpenguins.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete