There is tremendous variation in reading and writing skills among 6- and 7-year-olds. You will need to structure your teaching in a way that accommodates both readers and non-readers. Being attuned to the differing and changing academic skills of your students will prepare you to teach effectively to this age group.
Grade 1
Think in literal and concrete terms
Can follow specific instructions
Have difficulty sitting still for very long
Have a lot of energy
Like all kinds of games
Need to feel capable
Want to please teachers
Are talkative
Are developing hand-eye coordination
Think in terms of good and bad
Enjoy Bible stories
Understand God's love through personal experience
Beginning to read
Grade
Have limited concept of time and space
Enjoy an ever-widening world
Are busy and industrious; like to make things
Enjoy organized games and group activities
Are developing small-muscle coordination
Want to win
Want things to be fair
Use their own experience to understand the experience of others
Want individual attention and affirmation
Like learning from the Bible
Make conclusions about God in concrete terms
Do not understand the spiritual nature of God
Developing reading skills
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Third and fourth graders are quickly growing in their ability to reason and discover, unlike younger children, who can think only literally. Middle Elementary students are able to discuss ideas; they can compare, contrast, analyze and discover.
Think in terms of right and wrong
Need to express feelings
Do not think in abstract terms
Want to learn
Have good hand-eye coordination
Enjoy physical activity and may have trouble calming down
Vary with peers in ability to read and write well
Are developing values
Enjoy friends of the same sex
Are eager to please and want to be liked
Are becoming conscious of self and of sin
Often begin to feel the need for a persona relationship with God
Are developing skills of comparing, analyzing and evaluating
Click here to order a FREE Middle Elementary Preview Packet
Fifth and sixth graders are ready to handle organized units of Bible study. They can dig into the big themes of the Scriptures, presented historically and chronologically. Preteens also love social interaction and thrive in group settings. Use class time for interactive learning, such as coorperating in small or larger groups, role-playing, brainstorming and the like. Doing things this way will keep the students eager to come back for more, help class members get to know each other and help you get to know them! 5th and 6th Graders:
Growing Physically
can't sit still for long
approaching (or in) puberty
Growing Emotionally
set a high standard for themselves
are more aware of personal shortcomings
generally dislike outward displays of affection
Growing Socially
need relational and social interaction
are competitive
can exhibit negative behavior, such as bullying or teasing
want to be like the group
are strongly concerned about fairness
Growing Mentally
can think and reason; compare and contrast
have mastered basic reading and writing skills
memorize easily
can work steadily for long periods
Growing Spiritually
understand the elements of the Christian faith
are able to understand the history and chronology of Scripture
are developing a value system
are finding out what it means to belong to Christ and his Church
are learning to put into practice what they know from God's Word
Click here to order a FREE Older Elementary Preview Packet
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