A teacher friend recently asked me how it was going (teaching a combo class)....the only thing I could say was, "Well, I'm still standing!" It has truly been the craziest, most challenging year of my career. While I care for each of my students, I hope to never have to repeat another year like this one! That being said, knowing my district, it is always a possibility that I may teach a combo class another year in the future. I have learned a great deal this year, and I am confident that if I ever had to do this again, I would do it differently, and more efficiently!
I had the opportunity to be part of a District Combo Class Focus Group this spring. We spoke about ways to make it easier, and more successful. One of the best ideas we had was to have the Curriculum Writers align the curriculum. Instead of requiring all the combo teachers to spend their free time looking at 2 grades of curriculum and figuring out how best to merge them, let the district take on that responsibility. They already have a very detailed curriculum on-line for each grade, so they can add a tab for each combo group (K/1, 1/2, 2/3, etc...). This would take away a tremendous amount of stress and planning from the teacher. I have been told that the district will implement this idea for the upcoming school year. I am excited for the combo teachers to have that ready for them next year.
As I now refer to Combo Teachers as "them", you may get the idea that I will not be among them next year. You are right! I am moving up to an intermediate grade. I knew that I would be changing grades, but I have only taught primary grades. Intermediate grades are a whole different world! However, I see this as less of a challenge than the Combo Class, and I am very grateful! Because the intermediate grades are departmentalized, I will be doing literally 1/4 of the planning I had to do as a combo teacher! I am very excited about that! I will be teaching 3 subjects to one group of children, and then repeating the same subjects to another group of children (all the same grade!) I will be responsible for one state test, so it won't be a picnic, but I am up for the new challenge!
I have two weeks left with my combo class. Next week I have to give FIVE District Curriculum Based Assessments (CBAs). My first graders need Math and Science, and my second graders need Math, Science, and Reading. I asked our wonderful Data Manager to help me give some of the tests. I have learned that it's ok to ask for help when you need it, especially when it's in the best interest of your students. Some people will actually help you! (Sadly not everyone will understand why you need the help as a combo teacher, nor will everyone help you, but you never know until you ask!)
I have very mixed feelings about this year. My standards for myself and my students are very high, and I am disappointed that I didn't meet and surpass my own expectations due to lack of time with each grade level. But I am also proud that I made it through, and that I am still standing.
