If you have experience as an elementary teacher please answer??

Question

If you are experienced as being an elementary teacher please answer my questions.

Could you please give me a description of what different grades are like. For example: if you have taught 1st and 3rd grade before could you please tell me what the kids are like in this age group, are they independent or dependent, and then tell me what grade you liked the most.

I am trying to get some input on what grade I should teach because I am going into college this fall and I have no idea what grade i want to teach all i know is that i want to teach in the k-4 area. I love being around younger children (k-1) but I don't know if they are too young for me to teach because they are really dependent, but then again the older grades (3-4) are very hormonal/snotty. Please give me some advice! Thanks!

Answer 1

Since you are just starting out, you don't have to know yet. You've determined that you want to work with kids k - 4, so you will do your student teaching with kids in those grades, that's where you'll find your fit. I've worked with kids of all ages, and here's what I've found:

Kindergardeners will love you no matter what you do. They are sweet and fairly dependent and can only pay attention to any one thing for about 3 minutes!

1st and 2nd graders will still love you no matter what. They are sweet and adorable and getting more independent. They are excited about all the new things they are learning and can work on a project and pay attention for longer periods of time.

3rd graders are starting to form their own opinions, but still sweet and lovable. Much more independent and can focus more readily on their work.

4th grade is a big transition for many kids. Turning 10 is a milestone. They are no longer the little sweeties we saw in the primary grades. They have much more independence in thought and action. This can be very exciting or very daunting.

Teaching is a wonderful profession . . . I wish you many years of happiness!

Answer 2

I have been a teacher for almost 10 years now. If you are just beginning school you really do not have to decide on a specific grade level just yet.
I have taught 2nd, 4th & 5th grade and loved them all.
I don't really think the hormonal thing really kicks in until the 5th grade. As far as being snotty, you can encounter that at any grade level.
My advice to you is to keep an open mind and observe at all the different levels before deciding what grade you would like to teach. Another thing to keep in mind...when you go out looking for teaching jobs right out of college the specific grade you want may not be available. Be open and willing to try any grade level that you are certified for. Good Luck and Best Wishes to you!!

Answer 3

Relax...

Talk to a professor about volunteering in the classroom of local schools. Doing internships and pre-professional experiences. Take EVERY opportunity you can to work with actual students. Get to know all different age groups and experiment.

Once you have a couple of years behind you even become a substitute teacher.

Just be open and don't go into it with preconceived ideas about what kids are like at each age.

You won't ever know what age group until you have a chance to experience them all. And a lot has to do with the school, the dynamics, etc.

I LOVED teaching 8th grade in the building that I was in, but I'm not sure I would want to anywhere else. I LOVED teaching 4th grade. I never saw myself as a preschool/kindergarten teacher until I had my own kids.

You just never know where the path will take you.

Good Luck

Answer 4

I think that you should keep an open mind about what grade level you would like to teach. You obviously don't need to decide anything now, or even in the near future. As you go through your coursework and experience different practicums you will begin to formulate your own ideas about what age group is for you.

When the time comes for you to look for a job, my advice is take whatever they offer you! Even if it is not the grade level that you hoped for, you might be very pleasantly surprised. I graduated from college thinking I wanted first grade but after experiencing many grade levels, I have to say that fifth and sixth are my favorite!

No one except you can determine the benefits and pitfalls of each level, as everyone experiences things differently. Good luck!

Answer 5

You don't need to know what grade you want to teach yet. You will get certified in elementary education which will cover that entire range of grades. During college you should have a student teaching internship as well as PLENTY of observation hours you will need to complete. You can do these in different grades to help you get a better understanding of what you like best. You really won't know which grade you'll like best until you experience it. From personal experience, I student taught in kindergarten. My first job was kindergarten. I did't think I would ever want to teach anything else. The next year I had to move to first grade. Surprisingly I loved it! Two years later I had to move to 2nd grade and loved it even more.

I hope this helps. Good luck with everything.

Answer 6

Calm down. Teaching is a very noble profession. You have to enjoy children as well as be able to relate to them socially and emotionally. The key however, is classroom management. At this point it is not necessary for you to decide what grade level you would like to teach. As you go through your education and credential classes you will have plenty of opportunity to work with all elementary grade levels. Even though you may have a preference, you might be surprised for instance that you like working with the older children rather than the little ones because you can delve in depth into many subjects . Or, you may prefer the innocence of the little ones. Either way, don't stress over it, you'll find your niche as you continue to study and gain real life educational experience. Good luck!

Answer 7

I've been teaching for 11 years (4th grade)..my best advice to you is to get in some classrooms.

You need to observe or even substitute teach at all the elementary grade levels so you can see for yourself where you want to be.

You also need to be aware that depending on your state you may end up teaching a grade other than your first choice.

For example, I teach in Georgia. My certification allows me to teacher Pre-K through 5th grade. When I sign my contract every year there is a clause in it that says that I will be assigned as needed in the county. Now, I've never personally been moved but I've seen teachers get moved to other schools within a district and seen them moved from one grade level to another within a school.

You best protection against a move like this is to become very good at the grade level you prefer! Most of the time when we hire a new teacher we know which grade level we need a teacher for...but sometimes that changes and new teachers end up in 3rd instead of 4th etc.

Please do yourself a favor and get in a classroom though. I know you will do lots of work within your education but there is nothing that takes the place of getting in there and seeing for yourself!

Answer 8

Most of how any student ages behave is based on your ability to handle and manage children. It is a bit like the Dog Whisperer, they have to know who is boss. Kindergarten remember they have never worked in a large group so asking them to raise their hand when speaking, how to make a line to go somewhere, and all that in a large group is very demanding. Those early grades are precious but they are very emotionally draining because you are more like a mom. In the grades 3-5, you have to have the upper hand, and if you are wishy washy they will eat you alive. Kids are like animals and they sense fear and will push you are far as you give in. I've taught preschool, 1,2, and 4th and some middle school. It really is about your personality and you may not have the choice of what grade you want

Answer 9

My advice to you would be to get exposure to different age/grade levels through whatever means. Volunteering is a great idea. If you have friends that are teachers, could they allow you to observe their classes? Perhaps you could volunteer as a Big Sister, or something similar (a Guide leader) to see with what ages you find your niche?
Maybe you'll enjoy a broad range of ages and end up working in a one-room school house where you'll have the opportunity to teach many different ages/grades!
Good luck!