Sixth grade teachers!

[nellgirl]

I’ve taught ‘4th and’ for years (15ish). By ‘4th and’, I mean 3/4 or 4/5 with one year of straight grade 4. This year, I have a straight grade 5 class.
Next year, I have a 5/6, but mainly 6s. I’ve never taught 6th, and I’m not sure how to manage it since it’s senior elementary/early middle depending on where you are, so it seems like it should be different. Also, I’ve had this particular cohort of kids in 4, 5, and now 6, so
I’d like to mix it up in terms of what I do.
Does anyone have tried and true routines, etc that work well in 6th? How different is it from 4/5? I know the jump from 3 to 4 is huge.
We have an inquiry-based curriculum where I am (in Canada, so no state standards/common core, and no standardized testing at 5 or 6, only 4 and 7, so I’m avoiding it)

[katfco]

When I taught sixth it felt like that was when they really made the jump from elementary to middle school mentalities. They're coming more into their own and more desirous of responsibility. But they still need guidance. What subjects will you be teaching? I taught ELA and social studies (in our state, 6th grade social studies is ancient civilizations).

[nellgirl]

Jun 8, 2018 23:37:18 GMT -5 katfco said:

When I taught sixth it felt like that was when they really made the jump from elementary to middle school mentalities. They're coming more into their own and more desirous of responsibility. But they still need guidance. What subjects will you be teaching? I taught ELA and social studies (in our state, 6th grade social studies is ancient civilizations).

Thanks! I teach everything but Music. I’m okay on things like Science and Math. ELA is kind of where it goes off the rails for me in terms of having a new grade level.

[njw]

I'm no 6th grade expert, but I'm intrigued b/c you said you've taught a combined 5/6 class. I've gotten thrown into teaching a combined class next year and I have no idea how to do it. I'm the only teacher in the whole district. Any advice??