5th grade teachers--are you departmentalized?

I'm teaching fifth grade for the first time in NC this year. Let me tell you, I NEVER would have thought that teaching here would be more involved than anything I saw back in NY. But it is.

In speaking with the other members of the 5th grade team, we've realized that we're a really diverse team in that we each have a different specialty. There is a new principal this year, and we're going to go to him to find out if we can departmentalize for next year.

If nothing else, I feel like I may actually be able to get a handle on the curriculum. The material is so involved this year, and we're all feeling like there's no way we can be an expert in EVERYTHING.

So, my question is--is your 5th grade departmentalized? We feel that we have a case, since our kids go to middle school next year.

Thanks!

Re: 5th grade teachers--are you departmentalized?

our kids go to middle school in 6th grade too, but we are not departmentalized. we each do all of the subjects. some of us plan together so that helps, but basically we all do our own thing. ETA: when i student taught in PA about 8 years ago, they did this. two teachers taught ELA and Social Studies and the other two taught math and Science and Health. I thought it worked well.

Message edited 10/13/2007 11:07:54 AM.

Re: 5th grade teachers--are you departmentalized?

Currently, we are not departmentalized.

I've been in 2 schools, and 2 others for student teaching/practicum.

My favorite set up was teaching my homeroom for math/LA... and then switching for SS/Science.

My afternoons were great since I taught two sections of SS. It was just so much more manageable to me, but I didn't get bored teaching the same thing 4 times.

I hate having to teach all of the subjects. I wish my current school would allow what I had at my old school.

Re: 5th grade teachers--are you departmentalized?

Not a fifth grade teacher but in my school it is not departmentalized, neither is the sixth grade (we go up to 7th) But I am in NYC..they play by their own rules there

Message edited 10/13/2007 11:50:25 AM.

Re: 5th grade teachers--are you departmentalized?

i work at a school in NJ ( as a speech therapist, not a teacher) but in our district 4th AND 5th grades are departmentalized. i have no idea how the schedule works, but it seems to be good for the kids to get them ready for middle school, and having different teachers, etc. ( they also go to middle school in 6th grade)
not sure how the teachers like it, but it seems to working well and makes sense....