Wednesday, October 29, 2008

5th graders...

Well, I haven't written much about my experience in 5th grade so far, and I'm in my 4th week of the placement! I guess there are several reasons for this, but the primary reason is that 5th graders are not nearly as cute as 2nd graders. The second reason is that I'm not enjoying this experience as much. All elementary interns are required to spend half of the time in a lower grade (K-3rd) and half of the time in an upper grade (4th-6th). Some people love the lower grades, some love the upper grades. One of my friends started the internship thinking she would hate her 6th grade placement, and has ended up loving it. I don't hate being in 5th grade, and I guess I don't even dislike it that much, but I just don't like it as much as 2nd grade. So, perhaps this is the reason why I haven't written much about it. So, let me give you a quick update on my life in the 5th grade. I'm in a science and social studies class, and we have 3 classes each day. For the last week I've been teaching 2nd and 3rd period. Starting next week I'll teach all day long! I'm looking forward to it, and I have several experiments and fun things planned to do with them. It's going pretty well, and I like that 5th graders can do more independent work than the 2nd graders. This allows for more "projects" and even science experiments. It gives more opportunities for them to do things besides worksheets. The main thing that bugs me about the 5th grade is the attitudes. I can't stand it when they huff and puff when they get in trouble, or when they talk back with some grand explanation about why what they were doing really wasn't wrong. Makes me crazy! Back talking...no good. (I should probably take a moment to apologize to my parents for having a sassy mouth when I was younger! But, I don't think I got sassy until at least Jr. High!) Anyway, the attitudes just frustrate me. And, I have found that my "mean voice" does not sound very mean. I'm working on that. Not that I want to be a mean, grumpy teacher, but sometimes you have to put on a serious face and let them know you mean business. I think I'm getting better at it, but I've got some work to do! ha ha. So, with all that being said, I just try to approach each day with a positive attitude and hope that it will be a good day. Most days are good, some days I want to pull out my hair! Overall, 5th grade is not terrible, but I definitely prefer my cute, little, precious 2nd graders!! Well, I'm off to Open House night at school in a few minutes, so I better go for now. Have a great day and a Happy Halloween tomorrow!!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Sweet Girl!
YES! You probably are too sweet for them~Tomorrow will be rough! HALLOWEEN~ARG! Then just wait until Monday and you'll see the largest sugar high you've ever seen. Make sure you wear your your protective gear.LOL
I am like you, I don't want to be mean, but 5th and 6th graders are so much different now. Parents are just too wrapped up in their own world to care much about their children and it is showing. This is a generation of "No one is home minding the store". Just think how they act at home if they act the way they do at school...scary!
Anyway, put on your mean face:) You are like Tiffers - couldn't find a mean face if you tried! Hang tough, and show no fear.LOL I still want to do supper - it is just this week has been off the wall!!! I can't wait to swap stories. Blessings, Emmy

Kelly T said...

Oh, I just have to laugh thinking about you trying to be "mean" to your 5th graders. Now the sassy-ness, on the other hand, I can picture too well. ha ha, j/k. And I loved your comment about the Sports-Bra Bandits... Good times!!