how to prepare students for a room change

[dglvrk2]

Hello,

My site has some classrooms in grades 1 and 2 that are over capacity.  We are nearly two weeks into the school year.  Starting Tuesday, Sep. 5, we have a new first grade teacher.  Hence, there will be smaller classes (a 1/2 combo is now a straight 2), but several students will have to transition to a new classroom with a new teacher. (She comes to us with a lot of experience and seems very personable - all and all, a great fit at our site!)

My principal and I are considering suggestions for parents re. ways discuss this change with their children.  

A few ideas:
- stay positive
- answer all children's questions, but don't give them more information than necessary
- help them find a way to say good-bye and hello to their new/old teachers

We are doing a welcome lunch with the new teacher on Friday and giving students who are leaving classes designated time to say good-bye to former teachers and classmates that day too.

Any other ideas are very welcome!

[flamingeaux]

What about Co-teaching for a couple of days? Like could she come do a day or two in the classroom with everyone.  Then do a morning with everybody, and then break off for the afternoon into their own class, then maybe a morning and rejoin for the afternoon.   Then do the first whole day in their new classes.