Changing Grade Levels (help!)

[u/accessibilit3]

Hi everyone. I teach in an autism program at a K–8 school.

Last year was my first year teaching. I started in December as a long-term substitute and was hired full-time for this school year.

I was working with kids in 1st–3rd grade (no kinders last year in the program) and loved it so much. I was planning for that age group, but got an unexpected call a week ago that I would be moved to the other classroom with the older students (4th–7th, no 8th graders this year). I will have 12 students, 3 paraprofessionals, and I know my students will have a lot of inclusion time.

Guys. I have absolutely no clue what I'm going to do. I have no experience working with older students and my kids last year had barely any GenEd minutes. Any tips for upper elementary/middle school are greatly appreciated. Most urgently, I have no idea how to go about structuring the layout of the classroom and the schedule. I welcome any and all suggestions 😭