TeachSped

Sounds like a big challenge, Bill. I think that the trick is to be super organized. Divide up instruction and independent work time systematically - maybe one day of each, maybe a certain amount of time in each class. Keep it the same each day or week. Set up a reward system to induce the students to stick to the schedule and complete independent work. Make use of technology if you can. Keep bugging the administration for more help, but make it work while you're on your own. Let's see if any one in the group has some more ideas.

This is tough! Some of the teachers at my work have similar classes- I think the trick is to be completely organized. What makes it hard, is that it makes it more difficult to break up the class time. Find some online math games or science websites, and use those for when you really need to give a "whole class instruction". You might be able to combine math and science once in awhile so that the whole class can do something together.... good luck!!

Bill, I had several overlapping classes last year, and it was tough! Do you have a para? That would certainly help..... If not, I would put a warm-up on the board for the math kids every day to review yesterday's lesson. While they start their warm-up, I would get the science kids into their lesson. How many students do you have for each subject?

I do have a para and she works with the two Pre-Algebra students. I have two Algebra I students, who work at a different pace, one math concepts, two study skills, and two Earth Science students. The best thing about this class is that it goes by very fast.

Organization is the Key!!! I teach in a program where I potentially could be teaching as many as 5 different subjects at once! I was completely overwhelmed by this at the beginning of the year. Organization saved me. I made sure there was a binder for each subject, a desk shelf for each subject, and a calendar for each subject. I also would suggest putting an agenda on the board for each block and which subject will be doing what during that time. The students really liked having the different calendars and agenda because having so many different subjects going on at once in one room was confusing to them too. Hope this help!

As everyone else has said, organization is crucial. Beyond the organizing, however, there are some things you can do to make the time more productive. Your pre-algebra (or Math 8) sudent will be learning many of the skills/concepts you will be teaching to Alg 1. If you try to view this as a challenge in differentiating you may feel a little less overwhelmed. When possible, align the units so that your instruction in Alg is an extension of Pre-Alg. Once you have presented the concept and want to allow for independent work and assessment, you let the Pre-Alg student go and expland the lesson for the Alg 1 student. There actually can be a benefit in this situation for both students as the Pre student gets exposure, even if tangential, to advanced curriculum while the Alg student is getting a review/reinforcement of what should be previously-learned skills. As someone else mentioned, you can start your Earth Science students out with a warm-up, with a few stations, have them discuss their homework, put them on computers to allow them to take part in interactive lessons to introduce new material or reinforce material already learned. I have been in this predicament and the only way to make it come close to working is through good planning, imaginative use of classroom facilities, incorporating tasks that the para can handle while you are working with the others. Good luck!