- If you number your kiddos, number it like you would a straight class. I number my kids 1-24 to make life simpler when we line up and everything else we do with numbers. I don’t separate my first and second graders.
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| This is our job pocket chart using our numbers |
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| Here is our writing wall, with everyone in number order and using our first day of school photos I mentioned above. The writing is differentiated, but that will be for another blog post! |
- Other teacher friends suggested putting my 6 firsties at one table and the rest of my 2nd graders at other tables. This was a complete nightmare because my firsties had very strong personalities and struggled working together. It has worked best to spread everyone out! It also provides for an opportunity to create an environment where everyone is one unit, rather than two.
A view of my classroom. Love putting my kiddos in groups.
Color code everything…seriously. All 1st grade work is green and 2nd grade work is in blue. This goes for our daily schedule, sight words on our Word Wall, center work, and so much more! Trust me, you will want to separate everything. I tried to make one schedule and one plan book and that was not working…at all!
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| 1st grade daily schedule |
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| 2nd grade daily schedule |
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| This isn’t the most glamorous photo but this is a snapshot of our math board. I used the photo props from the 1st day of school to organize the board. I used Corinna’s “I Can” statements for 1st and 2nd grade. If I could do it over, I’d color-code those as well, but I ran out of copy paper. |
- Have 2 plan books. You’ll thank me later, promise! I tried one plan book for about a month and just simply wasn’t working. I couldn’t fit everything in and it was just too darn confusing. I also created my own lesson plan template to help my sanity!
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Color coded of course!
 . Here’s a copy of the template I created. I don’t love using the teacher planners from the Teacher Store because I you have to input the same schedule week-after-week. Ain’t nobody got time for that!!! This is a 1st grade schedule so where it says 1st, I put the lesson for 1st grade. Where it says 2nd, I input what my firsties will be doing while I’m working with 2nd grade.  This is the table at the front of my room where I keep my TEs for both grades. You can see 1st grade is on the left and 2nd is on the right. Holy cow, I thought keeping one set of TEs was enough work, keeping two is another level of crazy organization!
I make sure to post the Standards to differentiate between the two grades. It also helps when admin and parents are in my class. And let me tell you, Principals love seeing this kind of stuff. You can grab these posters here! You can grab a peek at my classroom transformation here to see what it looked like before my kiddos entered! I hope sweet friends that some of these tips help you get started on setting up your classroom. Make sure to follow my blog to discover how I manage a combo class and learn how I grade work, deal with classroom management, grade books, and more!.  |
Inspired Owl says
Awesome! Thank you for so many great ideas! I have a lot of work to do! 🙂
Betty says
Thanks for all the tips! This coming school year will be my first year in a 1/2. I usually teach just 1st. I’m expecting 19 firsties and 11 seconds… wish me luck!
-Betty
Valerie Pinnix says
I just found out I may be doing a 1/2 combo class!! I am stressed. Could you share your lesson plan template with me?
Thank you for all your suggestions. I am calmer now after reading your post.
Jen says
Oh my goodness, best of luck! I did not teach a 1/2 combo, that was Kristen from Easy Teaching Tools. You can contact her in regards to this post she did on my page and she can help you out! easyteachingtools@gmail.com! Best of luck!
Danielle says
I’m teaching a split for the first time 2nd and 3rd! I’m worried! 20 something second graders and 6 third graders! I love the plan book you made for teaching both grades! Would it be possible for you to send this to me?
Jen says
Hi, you may want to direct your question to Kristen over at Easy Teaching Tools (easyteachingtools@gmail.com)!
Jan says
Thanks for the info. I just found out today I will be teaching some firsts graders in my class. I have taught first and second grade separately but this will be a first sort of split class for me. I have 21 first graders and will be getting 5 of the higher 1st graders. We have a program that we have to follow, but I do a Daily 5 model while using our district materials. You gave me some great things to think about. I will be reading more.
Jen says
SO glad Kristen could help! Good luck!
Jacks says
Hello. I have 10 firsties 10 second graders in a combo class.
What is scholar of the week? And what do you do in the Literacy Workshop? Do you do science for one grade and SS for the other?
Could you share some of your lesson plans?
thanks…
Jen says
Hi! This post was written by Kristen at Easy Teaching Tools, feel free to email her at easyteachingtools@gmail.com for this question!
Selena Scott says
Thank you for all your tips and tricks. I will be teaching a 1st/2nd class for the first time next year. Feeling a little overwhelmed, but your advice has made me feel better and that I can handle it.
Ashley Duray says
Can we please keep in touch!? I am teaching a combined first/second grade classroom this year. (2017/2018) And I would love to have someone to reach out to!
Jen says
I think you’d be better off with communicating with Kristen at Easy Teaching Tools! She’s the queen of the combo class, which I’ve never done before!
CYNTHIA SPIESS says
Thank you thank you for all of your photos and organization tips! I am teaching Multi age 1/2 next fall and am wrapping my brain around all of it. I have taught first and second before for many years but not a combined class. I am wondering how you teach reading and what do you use ( what materials?) Do you have any suggestions for math too? I am thinking about more of a guided math approach with kids rotating through 3-4 centers- one of whom being a teacher led one. I will not have extra staff support most of the day so I am curious to see how others do it. Our school is going complete multi age with only three classrooms total just so you know. Thank you for any guidance or ideas you can suggest to me.
Jen says
Hi! You may want to contact the author of this post (she guest posted on my blog), she can help you more! She’s over at easyteachingtools.com
Anne-Riley Cope says
I am currently a first grade teacher but so far if numbers stay the way they are I will teach a first second combo class. Your ideas are very helpful. Are you still teaching a 1’2 combo? If not, I hope to follow the blog that was published here. I teach in Queen Creek, Arizona.
Jen says
I don’t teach the 1/2 combo, but Kristen from easyteachingtools.com has before and has plenty on her blog to help you!