Upper Elementary students require a completely different kind of teaching. If you feel like you struggle with keeping your upper elementary students engaged, I can promise you it is NOT you, it’s them! This week on my blog and video, we’re diving into why upper elementary is so challenging, and what we as teachers can do to keep them engaged!
The core of the issue is the curriculum. There isn’t enough curriculum for this age level, and what I do see typically only applies to K-5. However, if you teach 6th grade, they’re left out! I’m constantly seeing that conferences, blogs, videos, etc are focused on the K-3/primary group, but not enough focus is put on the upper level.
Another issue is “What do these kids want to learn about?” We find they want to learn about more modern musical ideas, but the issue is curriculum companies have to jump through lots of legal hoops and red tape so it becomes expensive and takes a lot of time. That leaves it on the shoulders of the teachers, and then it’s a LOT to do on your own in your short plan time!
Being a preteen is tough. It’s a supercharged time of life and it gives me super intense middle school flashbacks. Students at this age are SO focused on peer relationships and finding their confidence.
Music is a subject that can really push them out of their comfort zone and make them feel singled out. It’s a delicate balance of asking them to take risks while not pushing them too far. We have to keep these things in mind as we’re designing lessons that will keep them engaged while not disrupting those social relationships.
Students at this age are becoming more aware of gender-roles in music. They’re saying that music is a feminine thing and PE is a masculine thing. They’re also saying that singing is a feminine skill, (even though we as teachers know better), but we still have to be aware that the idea is present in their minds while we’re planning.
KIDS ARE BORED. No, that doesn’t mean you plan boring lessons, but at this age they’re just naturally bored of where they are. Elementary school is the longest time they’ll be in one building. Middle school is 2-3 year, high school is 4, if they go to college its even longer. When they’re at the end of their time at elementary school, they’re ready to move on! Quite frankly we have to approach teaching the upper ages completely different than K-3.
Teacher to student relationship is your greatest asset. If you come into a school and haven’t been there that long, those upper elementary students haven’t had that time to build a relationship with you! That’s not on you, but it’s just how the situation is. It’s not that you won’t try your best, but the longer you’re at a school, the more comfortable they’ll be with taking risks and going out of their comfort zones in your class.
The amazing thing about being a specials teacher is you might get to see your students for several years and watch them grow up right before your eyes! The relationships will build with time.
Engaging this age is definitely more difficult. I hope this validates your feelings towards teaching upper elementary and allows you to see that you are NOT alone, and there are factors out of your control that make it so much more challenging. If you want to watch my video for the week, you can find it here!
I would love to hear about your favorite teaching strategies or activities for upper elementary! Do you find that they enjoy certain activities much more than others? Let me know in the comments or come connect with me on Instagram.
Have a great week!
