Teaching Y1 next year - eeekk!!

[user1483390742]

I have only ever taught Y5 and 6. Head is having a shake up and has changed things dramatically for Sep.
W
My questions are: what can Y1 children do in Sep?! Can they sit at a desk? Can they write a date? Or do they still wander around as they did in Reception? I like a quiet

[user1483390742]

Oops..
A quiet class without movement..This is too much to expect, isn't it?
Am i going to struggle big time??

[queenofthedump]

Can they sit at a desk? Can they write a date? Or do they still wander around as they did in Reception?

Ooooh you're in for a fun time!!!

[queenofthedump]

Sorry - couldn't resist!

I also went from Y5 to Y1 a number of years ago and really had to learn to let go of my need for order. It takes a bit of getting used to but I now love it! I now get a bit twitchy even in Y6 if everyone has been sat down for too long.

[Fwend]

Ok. They'll sit, but for 3 minutes, tops. They'll pull your clothes, have the attention span of gnats and occasionally pee themselves.

They'll also make crazily good progress, be enthusiastic about everything and tell you they love you daily.

I'm Y1 going to Y6 in September - now that's scary!

[Herschellmum]

Poor thing, it's going to feel an adjustment. Deep breaths!

Ok so I have two (twins) children going into year 1 in September, one of them will probably sit for quiet awhile, can write his name (although even in his own name confuses B and D 🙈), but would have no idea what a date is (other than a fruit). The other, can't even write his name and unless your talking about sheep will just ignore you completely (he obviously has SEN) ... however I know others in the class can wrote very basic sentences. "Reading books" for mine don't get have words!!!

It's all about learning though play, it's get on the floor sort of work, thinking messy play, butterfly project,sort of stuff.

I feel for you, I have 4 kids of my own choosing (well sort of, didn't bargain for twins and 4th surprised us 😂) And I crave peace.

Good luck, spend a play in an indoor play place to desensitise you.

Good luck ... wishing you all the best.

[bugaboo218]

You are in for a fab time! Year 1 are great, but most will not be able to sit for beyond 5mins, they will constantly want you, which is lovely in one way and can be annoying in another. Try to remember that some will have only just had their fifth birthday if Summer born. Year 1 can be quiet for approx two seconds so that is an unrealistic expectation to expect working in silence.

Enjoy looking for lost PE kit, shoes, wiping noses and occasionally bums.

I teach year R, but taught y1 for many years! I think y1 are great still curious to learn!

[Nix32]

You'll be unlikely to be teaching in the way you're used to. Expect to have to plan for continuous provision (focussed play) for at least the first half term/term. You may do a whole class input but you'll probably then work with groups while the others are playing. Don't expect much independent work to begin with!

[phlebasconsidered]

Watching with interest. I'm going from 6 to 2, but it's a very needy and low ability 2 that I've been told to teach like 1. Thanks!

[user1483390742]

Thanks for all your kind (and scary!) words. I was kinda expecting to hear those things, but was secretly hoping someone would say something along the lines of...they will sit for a 15 min intro, then do some independent drawing/ learning whilst i focus on groups then we will have a lovely plenary!
What on earth is continuous provision?! Please tell me it is extension work!

[laramara]

Perhaps you can go and spend sometime in the reception class between now and the end of term which should give you an idea of their capabilities and what they do! Once you get used to Year One I'm sure you'll really enjoy it, good luck!

[RandomDent]

I'm going the other way from 1 to 6. I'm already planning a role play area. :o

[DandelionAndBedrock]

I've never taught the older ones, but the sense of satisfaction you get when your group of Y1 children follow a routine perfectly is just immense. The first time they walk into the hall in silence, sit through the assembly appropriately, and walk out again in silence...you feel like you've achieved the impossible!

I think my top tip would be do not underestimate what they can be trained (for want of a better word) to do in terms of routines. It takes time, and you have to be so consistent, but they can (emphasis on can, not will ) learn so fast. On teacher training I had a Y1 class who would change for PE in silence in under 3 minutes. Not sure I've had another class since them who can do it, but I certainly wouldn't have expected them to be able to do it.

[showergel1]

They can sit for 15 mins (tops) if it's varied. eg listening for a few minutes, talking for a few minutes, watching for a few minutes, doing for a few minutes.

I was extremely pleased to find that they can write the date (especially short date) if you teach this as the point of the lesson a few times.

Most importantly teach them how to stick a piece of paper neatly into a book. It will save you so much tine.

However I wouldn't start any of that until after Oct half term.
I'm pleased I'm in year 2 this September!

[user1483390742]

Oh my god.. sticking in neatly?! Really?! Is this what i've got to look forward to??!

[DandelionAndBedrock]

And writing numbers so you get one digit per box . You'll love it!

[Allthebubbles]

My son is just finishing Yr 1 and the progress he has made has been amazing! I feel incredibly grateful to his lovely teacher. I am a special needs teacher and I think mainstream juggling is a different ball game. I think the key to Yr 1 is a mix of consistency and high expectations but also being very nurturing and remembering how little they are. A friend has twins ( one in my son's class and one in a parallel class) and two things seem to have made my son's teacher stand out a bit. Firstly she has really kept on top of the progress they are making and moved things on accordingly e.g with reading levels etc and secondly the pastoral side has been a bit more caring.
Good luck with the shift, I imagine it will be a bit of an eye opener. I helped out with swimming at the beginning of Yr 1 and was quite surprised at how difficult it was to get them all to listen at the same time. The range of maturity is also quite large but the sillier ones generally are a lot younger.

[grumpypug]

This thread has made me laugh. I teach reception - I'll tell you what my reception can do at the minute:

I have 30 children.

About 1/2 can listen to a 15 minute story (all singing, all dancing, dramatic, over enthusiastic type). The rest put their hand up to tell you - mid sentence - that they're going to grandma's house, need a wee, have head lice (or other random fact). Don't be fooled by the fact they put up their hand - it means nothing!!

They love 'morning work'. I split them into 5 groups and they carousel around 'special' activities (these are things which they need to get better at and I use things like gel pens and glitter to bribe (encourage) them). This happens before the register.

They ask a million times if it's lunchtime yet (between 9.10am and lunch time). Then if it's home time yet (all afternoon).

They don't have as many accidents as they did (probably between 5-10 per class over the week). Not as many poos. Most can wipe their own bottoms. Yey!!

They LOVE learning about themselves. They're egocentric little people - substitute their names in stories, number problems etc and they'll think it's great.

About 1/3 can write sentences all by themselves. Another 1/3 can write CVC words, the rest mostly write some letter sounds - 2 are unable to form any letters. 4 can't yet write their names (but will mark make and try).

We can sit through a short assembly (15 mins).

We like our visual timetable (about 1/3 really rely on it).

They are the most fun, energetic age! I love them and wouldn't teach anywhere else. They're loud, enthusiastic and hang on every word you say. You will be their favourite person!

Good luck!

[user1483390742]

Thanks for that grumpypug! Really helpful! Transition day today! Here we go!!

[SnickersWasAHorse]

My reception can sit and listen for about 20 minutes. They can all read their own names and simple sentences. Most can read longer sentences and cvcc words like 'tent'. Two can read anything but they are the exception.
2/3 can write sentences. All can count to 20 and solve simple addition and subtraction.

The reception teacher should have submitted the end of year data by now. Ask for a copy of that and the early learning goals. That should tell you what they can do.
Good luck!

[MollyHuaCha]

Good luck OP! Let us know how it went.

[Nix32]

Good luck and enjoy today!

[queenofthedump]

How did it go OP?

[MollyHuaCha]

I think she's zonked out...

[user1483390742]

I'm here! It went much better than i had anticipated! No- one cried or wet themselves, but there was snot!
Some could write, others not but my lovely TA and i muddled through! FULL RESPECT TO ALL TA'S!!
I live on to fight another day and am now quite looking forward to Sep- never thought i'd say that!

[MollyHuaCha]

Good for you