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Things Teachers Must Know About Elementary Students

Teachers have a difficult task of getting to know a class of 20 to 30 students at both an individual and collective level. In an elementary school setting, which can range from kindergarten to grade six, there is a wide range of knowledge you will need to possess about your students. Collectively, you should know the level the class is at academically, and individually, you should know each student's interests and future aspirations. Elementary students are still quite dependent on an adult, so you need to know quite a bit about them and their circumstances to be the best teacher possible.
  1. Parents/Guardians

    • The younger elementary students are picked up during their elementary school year by their mom, dad or babysitter. As a teacher, you should know who is going to pick up each of your students to ensure that each child goes home with the correct adult. If there is going to be a change in who is going to pick up a student, ask to be notified in advance so that you don't have to worry about a student getting home safely. Along those lines, keep an open line of communication with the parents to ensure you are up to date on student progress or any issues that may surface.

    Interests and Goals

    • The school curriculum is often set according to the state and school board, but how the teacher delivers material to a class is variable. Getting to know what interests your group of kids is crucial to tailoring lesson plans that will capture their imagination. By making learning fun and interesting, learning can become easier and school can become more fun. Also find out what students aspire to, what their goals are and what they see themselves being when they grow up. This will help you cater to students' goals and help them achieve their dreams.

    Ability

    • Every teacher has an outline of the class syllabus and a set of expectations that he shares with the class, but sometimes life does not go according to plan. Expect the very best of your students because children have a tendency to rise or fall according to expectations. Kids want to fulfill expectations, as Heather Craven from Inspiring Teachers says, but at the same time you should be aware of the group's abilities. If you are a new teacher or new to a school, you should learn what material students covered in the year prior to the grade you teach.

    Past Experiences/Circumstances

    • Often, to garner pertinent information a teacher can scan a student's past records. This is particularly valuable for vulnerable children, who may be from a different background than the rest of the class. A teacher can check to see if there have been any notable incidents, violent outbursts or suspensions on the record. If the student moved around a lot, has trouble at home or is experiencing stress from another situation, such as bullying, a teacher can cater to his needs on an individual basis and try to make him feel more included. If a student is from a different culture, a teacher should learn a little about that culture to get a better understanding of the student.

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