From Secondary Teacher to Year 4 Teacher

[Thetimes123]

Dear All, advice and ideas welcome. I'm a History teacher in a large secondary school, have taught for 9 yrs. I recently had a baby and my perspective on life has changed. Have wanted to move from sec. to pri. for some time, mainly due to my falling out of love with the delivery of my subject. All our history lessons are planned for us, they're on the shared drive, so it's just a case of turn up, open power point, talk about levels and leave.
I really want a change and a challenge, plus get some of my creative juices flowing again. I love teaching and seeing little light bulb moments.
Anyhow, I've got a job in a local primary starting September as a year 4 teacher (very excited). Tips for success and what to avoid please!

That'll be a change and a half!
I don't expect you'll have a chance to spend time observing in primary as I assume you'll still be at your old job. So maybe a bit of reading over the summer could help. Fingers crossed you'll get a good TA who can help with the organisational stuff.
I'd recommend any Pie Corbett, Sue Cowley and Jackie Beare books. You'll be starting just as the curriculum changes so there's no point in investing in anything relating to old NC. Hopefully this will mean the INSET days will be new info for all.
Even though you are experienced if I were in your shoes I'd approach someone to ask if they'd mind being a friendly ear/mentor for the first term.

Thanks, I'm going to be released one day a week, may be two to spend time in a different 'outstanding' primary school to observe etc so that will be invaluable

I agree, it will be a change and a challenge and a half!

It's not just getting used to younger children (and there's a huge difference between Y4's and even the newest Y7's) but there will be all the planning for all the lessons and the marking of 30 books for all subjects... So glad I am not in mainstream any more

But good on you for taking this on!

Oh gosh lots of marking and planning - yikes. Am excited though to be learning and doing something new as I was thinking of leaving and starting my own business, but I can still try to do both in a years time once settled.
Best brush up on my times table!

Oh my goodness!! That will be a huge learning curve! As a primary Maths specialist, can I urge you to add a decent how to teach Maths book to your list? Mathematics explained for primary teachers by Derek Haylock would be a really good starting point. Or look on the NCETM website - takes a bit of navigation but they've got some excellent self assessment and self directed learning tools which you can work through. Ideally you need to build your understanding of progression in calculation so you know where the children are coming from, what methods they've been taught and what comes next. Hopefully your new school will have a calculation policy to guide you.

Have fun - I love primary teaching, particularly building relationships with my class and being able to teach across the curriculum. But be ready for the amount of time it takes to plan and resource all your own lessons and then mark 60-120 books per day,,,

Thanks loads for the maths tips, I really want to crack this. Any ideas and resources welcome. And am very 'aware' 'worried' 'bricking it!' about the amount of planning etc....
But hey the kids deserve it

Well done, and Good Luck!

I was a primary TA / parent helper for over twenty years. The TA has the best job in some ways, minimum planning and admin, and time to really HELP and ENJOY the kids!

I'm sure you will do fine, but if you should need support or ideas you will find plenty on MN. Have a look at replies by 'mrz' as she is THE voice of experience and primary knowledge!

[I'll tell you some of my 'best bits' sometime.]

Thetimes123 have you posted this in 'The staff room' section too? It might give you a teachers eye view of what to expect. Good luck, I'm sure the experience will be valuable :-)

Whoops - have posted have posted in staff room now

That's a big change! The planning and marking burden will be considerable. That'll probably be the main thing you notice.

And doing reports in the summer... They take a LONG TIME.