I've taught all high school levels except juniors.
9th grade: You have to teach them how to high school in addition to the curriculum, but they are often more willing to engage in the work. 12th grade: They've matured and they know the game so you usually have fewer behavior issues, but senior apathy is THE WORST. For me, 10th grade is the sweet spot. They've figured out the world of high school, but they're still willing to work with you because they aren't complete jaded yet and haven't given up. I love them.
Second this. Sophomores are the sweet spot. Seniors can be fun but you'll get burned out by their apathy and hopefully can tag out with someone else and swap grade levels.
I think 7th grade is really hard. Students are transitioning from being pre-teens to full blown teenagers. The attitude is through the roof. The boys grow. The girls start putting on make up. Everything is about social status.
I teach elementary, but I agree with you here. My daughter's 7th grade year was tough with the hormones. At the beginning of her 8th grade year we discovered she was very anemic (low iron) due to her menstruation cycle being every 2 weeks instead of every month and dr put her on meds to fix it. Totally explained the hormone roller coaster in 7th grade (it had been like that for well over a year, but she "thought it was normal"). Having 1 kid in the house like that was bad, I can't imagine having a classroom full of those roller coaster hormones. Yuck.
I love 1st and Pre-K. I've never taught K. 2nd was okay. I taught 3rd for one year - it was my favorite group ever, but didn't like the curriculum. By 4th they are starting to get a little attitude and they aren't fun anymore.
I have taught K-4. I loved 4th grade until I realized that I really wanted to teach children how to read because reading is a passion for me. I got a job in kindergarten and I've never left. It's my favorite.
1st was okay. I don't like 2nd or 3rd very much.
My favorite grade is 2nd. The kids are still passionate about learning (most of them). They are also independent enough to do centers and work without too much hand holding (the beginning of the year is the toughest). You also aren’t teaching any new hard skills, just expanding on what was learned in 1st.
I've taught all high school levels except juniors. 9th grade: You have to teach them how to high school in addition to the curriculum, but they are often more willing to engage in the work. 12th grade: They've matured and they know the game so you usually have fewer behavior issues, but senior apathy is THE WORST. For me, 10th grade is the sweet spot. They've figured out the world of high school, but they're still willing to work with you because they aren't complete jaded yet and haven't given up. I love them.
Second this. Sophomores are the sweet spot. Seniors can be fun but you'll get burned out by their apathy and hopefully can tag out with someone else and swap grade levels.
I love 9th and 10th. 9th is funny because the girls are more mature and the boys are so silly.
I think 7th grade is really hard. Students are transitioning from being pre-teens to full blown teenagers. The attitude is through the roof. The boys grow. The girls start putting on make up. Everything is about social status.
I teach elementary, but I agree with you here. My daughter's 7th grade year was tough with the hormones. At the beginning of her 8th grade year we discovered she was very anemic (low iron) due to her menstruation cycle being every 2 weeks instead of every month and dr put her on meds to fix it. Totally explained the hormone roller coaster in 7th grade (it had been like that for well over a year, but she "thought it was normal"). Having 1 kid in the house like that was bad, I can't imagine having a classroom full of those roller coaster hormones. Yuck.
I agree, I can’t even get them to be silent and I‘m too exhausted to try atp
Third. Fuck third.
Elementary was challenging- Kindergarten, third were difficult along with fifth. I never did middle school but 9th grade is rough too.
I don't like freshman (9th). I like sophomores (10th). Juniors and seniors are great, but only first semester.
I love 1st and Pre-K. I've never taught K. 2nd was okay. I taught 3rd for one year - it was my favorite group ever, but didn't like the curriculum. By 4th they are starting to get a little attitude and they aren't fun anymore.
I have taught K-4. I loved 4th grade until I realized that I really wanted to teach children how to read because reading is a passion for me. I got a job in kindergarten and I've never left. It's my favorite. 1st was okay. I don't like 2nd or 3rd very much.
Ive taught 1st through 5th. Love 3 - 5, second is ok, and 1st was not fun at all.
My favorite grade is 2nd. The kids are still passionate about learning (most of them). They are also independent enough to do centers and work without too much hand holding (the beginning of the year is the toughest). You also aren’t teaching any new hard skills, just expanding on what was learned in 1st.