This is my first year teaching 2nd grade. In my previous teaching asignments, I've taught 3rd, 4th, and a 5th grade science class. I just completed our first week and I have to say that 2nd grade is my favorite age to teach. They are still eager to please and so sweet, yet they are starting to gain their independence. I am so happy this year with my kids and my classroom. I know that we're still in the "honeymoon" stage but I can already tell so much difference between last year teaching the third graders and this year teaching 2nd grade. What is your favorite grade to teach? Here's to a successful year for us all!
I find that I'm really drawn to the upper elementary grades. I worked at an after school program with kids in grades 1-7 and completed field experiences in college in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th. Then, I student taught in 4th and long-term subbed in 4th and 5th. After all of that, 4th graders really seemed to be my favorite. I just loved the age, the subject matter at that level, everything. I enjoyed subbing in the 5th grade, but it was the end of the year (March-May) and they were already had the "I'm too old for this school. I'm going into middle school" mentality so they weren't as much fun! haha Now, I'm a third grade teacher. I knew that it would be different for me jumping from almost 6th graders to brand new third graders, but I'm happy to say that it's not as different as I had anticipated. I still think that maybe 4th grade is where I'd be happiest, but I'm absolutely loving 3rd right now.
I'm with you iteachm123 - 2nd grade rules! They are still little and cute - yet the independence really begins to shine in this grade... One other reason 2nd is my favorite (which you'll find out as the year progresses...) developmentally, this is the year reading really starts to 'click' with many of them - which is quite rewarding.
I've only taught 2nd grade...and it's great! Aside from their slight independence and eagerness to please...the fact that it is not a testing grade leaves a lot of room for creativity in instruction. Grades 3-8 in my school are bogged down with test prep etc. almost all year...I tutored a 3-4 graders and test prep can be sooooooo boring!
I totally agree with you on the comments about 2nd grade. This is my third year at this level and I just love it more each day. This year I have the most wonderful group in the world on top of being at my favorite grade level. I had previously taught K, 1, and a 3/4 split. I had also substitute taught every level. This past summer I taught 5th grade summer school and it was ok (kids were relatively good) but I definitely wouldn't want to teach any level above 3rd if I did have to move at some point.
This is my third year teaching 2nd grade and it is great. I also love teaching 1st. I told the principal that I would be happy teaching 1st or 2nd grade or even loop from 1st to 2nd.
I'll have to agree MissR306. Unfortunately now many districts in my state they are giving assessments in second grade to prepare them for the ones that count in third. The end of the age of innocence as we know it!
My students just took the CoGAT (to test cognitive skills) at the end of August. They are going to take the ITBS (norm reference test) the week after next to check current ability levels in Reading and Math. In the spring they will take the GCRCT (the Georgia state assessment test) and the ITBS again to check gains in Reading (this one is due to our Reading First Grant). I agree with Shf4el, it's too much testing for this age. Besides all of these our kids get tested every other week for DIBELS (reading fluency) and then we give reading, vocabulary, math and spelling test weekly besides whatever we are studying in Health, Science, or Social Studies. These kids have been bombarded already and they are only 7.
I'm in 2nd grade, too, and I love it. I thought I wanted 1st grade more since I ST in first, but I loooooooove 2nd so much now. I agree with how much they are already bombarded with as 7 year olds. We are a Reading First school, too, and we do the TPRI assessments which I have to start on Monday. Then the next week we do the IOWA test of basic skills for 4 days! The listening part is so hard! They will take this test again in April or May. Then in the beginning of October we have to test their CBM fluency. Argh! But back to the original topic, 2nd grade is awesome. They come in still as "babies" if you will, but you always see a world of change by the time they're ready for 3rd grade. There are so many more things they can do for themselves.
I student taught and then taught the rest of the year in second grade. I loved it. A first grade teacher looped to second this year, so I didn't have a job, but then I was offered her first grade position. I adore first grade. But I think if I could choose between the two I would pick second. I'm really happy where I am now though, I'm learning a lot!
I am liking second grade very much also. Although, I am usually in the LS classroom with my student, but when we are in the regular classroom, I really enjoy it! My SIL, who is a teacher, likes 3rd grade the most.
I can't believe it! I am from Iowa and I remember taking the ITBS's. They were so long and tedious. The only assessments we have done so far in 2nd grade are our Pathways assessments for reading and I will start Dibels tomorrow and do every Monday morning.
I've taught second grade for two years and I love it as well. I've also taught first grade and now I'm teaching third (in fact, I've looped with my students from first to second then third grade!) but second will always be my favorite
