3rd and 4th grade teachers?

1) I wouldn’t say they are “snotty” at this age at all. Most 3rd and 4th graders still like their teachers unless their parents or guardians have a problem with teachers. Of course bad teachers will make students have bad feelings towards their teachers as well.

2) They still want to please their teachers for the most part. They want to hear from their teachers every now and then that they are doing a good job. Also, 3rd graders learn to become a little more independent at this age since most are fairly good readers.

3) 3rd and 4th graders do still come up and hug their teachers if they had or are having a good experience with you. I have even had older kids come back to visit and give me a hug. There is nothing wrong with hugging a student, as long as it’s appropriate.

4) Pros: independent, still sweet, still care about school, still care about their teachers

Cons: state mandated tests

I taught third grade for a year and have spent the last nine years teaching fourth grade.

1.) I rarely encounter students with a “snotty” attitude. My students still laugh at my jokes even if I think they are the worst jokes ever. I still get pictures left on my desk. This year some of my boys even drew pictures for me.

2.) Every child is unique. Overall, they will come and ask for help. They understand and can resolve some conflicts on their own. They enjoy being given responsibilities. For example, my fourth graders get in groups on the first day of school with the objective of creating one rule for the room. They always love doing this.

3.) My kids always come up to me when I am on yard duty. If I stay in the room for a recess period they will ask to stay in. Sometimes they stay and work or stay to talk to me.

4.) At my school the con would be that third grade teachers get 20 kids but fourth grade can have 30 or more. That is tough on the kids. The pros…..both grades are fun to work with. They enjoy hands on projects. They can work more independently. They still love to be read to. You can do more discussions in social studies or reading.

Good Luck to you!!!

Hiyas!

1. In my opinion, yes, 3rd and 4th are snotty. I have taught K-6th and from my experience they are a mixture of both…you have the ones who are talking back and the ones who just listen and do what you want.

2. Their personality at that age group, from my experience, is to see what they can get away with and how far they can push. I’ve also seen this happen a lot harder with new teachers than with veteran ones, I guess the ones who have been teaching for awhile snip that quickly or something.

3. I’ve had 2nd graders come up and give hugs…a few 3rd do but not really 4th. I think by 4th they are worried what their friends might think.

4. Outside of the classroom management, I personally dislike the testing aspect of it. With K-2 you have to prep them for the upcoming 3rd grade and standards they must achieve to pass the state test, but you aren’t actually testing them. Also, with 3rd and 4th, you focus a lot more on SS and Science and the other curriculums, while in the younger grades you mainly focus on math and reading achievement.

To be honest, it’s really how you feel in general about those grade levels and the things you will be teaching them. If you highly enjoy Science and SS, then that’s one aspect you won’t dread each day (some teachers really hate teaching those and feel it’s their weakest). As with classroom management, the kids are getting older, wanting to be a little bit more rebellious, seeing what they can and can’t get away with. I think from the end of 2nd grade and on that starts.

I am going to school for teaching my masters. In PA your are certified for K-6, not just 3rd and 4th.

1. People are people and you’ll meet snotty teachers and nice teachers and pain in the butt know it all teachers 🙂

2. I personally like even younger- 3 graders is when they a start becoming little smart ars…. lots of cursing and challenging the teacher. But each school and each grade is different.

3. NO child should be hugging or touching a teacher- that a good way to get sued these days.

4. Perhaps you can go to a class room and take a look for yourself? Do you know anyone who is a teacher who would let you sit in for a few days??

The good thing about teaching is that you are certified for all elementary levels. So when you are in college in a teaching/education program you will get lots of opportunities to go into the local schools to observe and work in classrooms of different grade levels. My advice to you is to form your own opinions of each grade level. Go into each observation/internship opportunity with an open mind and see which grade you like the best.