The Truth About Teaching Upper Elementary (That Nobody Warns You About)

As a new teacher, I knew I wanted to teach the littles. My first teaching gig had me in a classroom with 7 first and second graders and I had 4th grade join in for social studies and Bible (I have always taught in private Christian schools). By 2nd semester, 2 more students came and I added third grade to my classroom. From then on, my first 12 years of teaching were mostly in the lower grades of elementary with often combinations ranging somewhere between K-2. Once in a while I would go up to fourth. 

I didn't find my upper elementary sweet spot until I started a new job and ended up with just 3rd and 4th. It was then that I realized that first grade was always my hardest challenge. They are expected to be able to read and write for much of the curriculum, but more times than not, they simply cannot do it. So that is when upper elementary became my jam. I have taught combos of 3/4, 3-5, and 4-6. All of it has been a blessing and a lot of fun. But there are also some downsides to every grade. 

1. The Pile of Grading that you get in Upper Elementary is more Challenging

I would say this is the number one biggest challenges when teaching in the upper elementary classroom. It is a lot. I have tried different systems to try to alleviate the grading load and STILL it is a lot. I have a particularly hard time with the math and writing. Those two really slow me down. 

One thing I have done is while in small groups, I try to have students work on as many problems as possible. While they work, I also grade the problems as they go. That takes away many of the problems and cuts the work down later. It has been super helpful. 

2. The Endless Copies

If I'm being honest, I probably make the most copies of anyone at my school. There may only be three to four teachers, but still, I earn that title. I look for ways to enhance my curriculum and that often means making extra copies instead of just being textbook driven. I look for ways to make things more engaging and sometimes that comes with extra copies...there's no way around it. 

3. 4th Graders are Hilarious

They are coming into their own and their personalities are coming out. They are stretching their wings as class clown, comedian, and jokester. They say and do things that are funny...and sometimes a bit over the edge. They are unpredictable. They are seeking for approval from their peers and sometimes that means attention-seeking behaviors in the classroom. 

4. Upper Elementary is Exhausting, but Amazing

Even with the downsides of more intensity and more grading, it is STILL pretty amazing. I enjoy the depth of questions I get. They are curious creatures asking questions that I sometimes have to admit not knowing the answers to. They are curious about your life as a teacher and tell you about theirs. They grow so much and you get a front row seat. You can push them higher academically and there is so much you can do with their curriculum. They are pretty amazing.

5. The Weird Things Kids Say

Kids say weird things...especially at this age when their vocabulary is growing and they do not know how to always use words properly. One year when we got to our economic unit, we were gearing up for our annual marketplace where kids create businesses and open a market for the rest of the school. Kids can either run their own business as a sole proprietorship, or they can run their business with a friend, creating a partnership. 

On this particular day, students were coming up to my table one at a time telling me what they were selling or what service they would be providing. That's when it happened...One of my students came up and when I asked what he would be selling at his business, he loudly proclaimed, "Panties!" Trying to keep my face from changing I said, "Panties?" To which he reiterated, "Yes, panties!" A little quieter and with a question on my face and in my voice I questioned again, "Panties?" By this time, he could sense that something was a bit off. I continued by asking if he knew what panties were. I proceeded to tell him that panties were girls' underwear. 

Immediately he blushed, ran off to his partner and stumbled back a few seconds later saying, "Not panties...patties." He was going to sell Jamaican patties. I chuckled and all was well. But I have never forgotten that fun moment. Each year when marketplace rolls around, I always remember the panties...LOL...and a smile comes to my face. 

Not only are their funny moments like this, but the kids at this age are into all the trendy words that are thrown around in their generation. Things like "That's cap!" and the infamous, "Six-Seven!" They love connecting with other kids by using the latest trend-inspired words. 

If you have never had the chance or taken the opportunity to teach in the middle...to the upper elementary kids, you should definitely give it a go. It really is a lot of fun.