The learning/teaching path has been a path of change as I settle into the new grade level. Fifth graders are far more social than fourth graders, and their desire for autonomy is greater as well.
As I've mentioned before, I find that these factors create a need for more team meetings and a more spacious and sparse learning environment. The team meetings are imperative because fifth graders' desire for autonomy, decision making, and leadership create lots of opportunity for discussion related to good decisions, how to lead well, and "doing your own thing." The spacious and sparse room is necessary because fifth graders are bigger than fourth graders--they simply need more space due to their size, and because they like to work together, it's important to have lots of space to spread out for teamwork and collaboration.
The fact that our classes move from space to space affects classroom design too. Supplies need to be more readily available so that we don't waste time looking for forgotten pencils and notebooks, and so students can navigate more than one classroom with ease. And because fifth graders desire choice, it's important that the palette of learning materials are easy to access and put away easily and safely.
Fifth graders respond to posters and teaching aids too--room to display important messages and learning charts is needed.
Like the old show, Bewitched, I wish I could just snap my fingers and make these changes happen, but I don't have that power so it's a daily process of noticing needs, making changes, and working towards greater finesse to teach these children well. Onward.
