The first graders went on a field trip to see/hear the African Children's Choir while I stayed here with my kindergartners. It's interesting how K's act when the first graders are not here. For example, they couldn't decide where to sit at lunch. Do you suppose the 1st graders tell them where to sit??? Center time was very quiet but they asked permission before they did anything which is not how I run my class. They are allowed to make choices. Maybe it was because it felt different without their first grade classmates.
Planning has gotten easier with the 2 grade levels. I've gotten into the groove. I think that next year I would like to do some things differently if I teach a split class again. I think they should take all field trips together. I also think we should have our own class traditions. ( Not K traditions/activities and 1st grade traditions/activities.) It's been hard making sure each grade level gets to do what the other children in their grade level are doing. That's harder than lesson planning!
