[yoliver01]

I have been teaching 1st grade for a few years now and I am burned out. I don't seem to have that joy of teaching I once had. I get frustrated trying to come up with new and exciting lessons plus our district has no scope and sequence. They basically give you the standards and tell you to teach this before the end of the year, that's it. Plus my co-workers and jerks, no one really wants to share ideas. Everyone is basically on their own. I love my job but... Trying to decide if I want out of the classroom. Enjoy my summers off so I'll stay in the teaching field. Anyone been thru this and have any advice?

[krazykaye]

I have been teaching first grade for 20 years. I went through this about 5 years ago. Then there were new staff hired in the prek-1 area. It was great having new blood to work with. I got a new lease on my teaching.

Before the staff changes, I was on my own and no one really wanted to try anything new. Now, we all share ideas and give suggestions to each other. I also started using Daily 5 and the Daily Cafe which totally changed the way I felt about teaching.

Try out the Daily 5.

[Teach723]

So sorry you're going through this. I came down this year from 3rd and I have to say that I find it to be a whole different ballgame. 1st grade is exhausting, but I'm finding it to be so rewarding. It can be completely frustrating when you don't have the help and collaboration of your coworkers. I never really understood why people were like that. Put yourself out there and show them stuff that you find and maybe they'll begin to do the same for you. Kill 'em with kindness I sometimes too feel that I may burn out, but can you really see yourself not in the classroom? I think we all get to that breaking point at times.
I must say that I am so happy to have found this site though because it has been extremely helpful and everyone is willing to share what they have. I love it on here!!

[Angel1977]

This is my tenth year teaching and for the past two years I finally am working with another teacher who wants to plan with me. Before that I decided to do this. Each year I take one subject and make it my own. I plan during the summer and come up with amazing ideas to improve my teaching. Some ideas: Centers-switched to Daily 5. Math-kind of like Daily 5 but with math boxes I got a friend to put together for me. Writing-found a scope and sequence for grammar and writing. So just remember that you are an artist. Try and get together with other teachers from different schools. Email them, get together, and plan. That's what I do!

[applesauce88]

I've taught 15 years, but I've changed positions or grade levels about every 3-4 years. I get bored when I've done the same thing for awhile and like the challenge of a new grade level. However, I came back to first this year, started Daily 5/CAFE and have a new appreciation for my first graders. I'm having the best year, even with some challening students, and I think it has a lot to do with Daily 5. I think I am ready to stay put in first now. The website for Daily 5 is www.the2sisters.com. Check it out!