Third Grade Etc.

Today is the day I take a huge step forward--into the world of blogging.  Who knew. . .

After thirty-three years in the classroom with 8 and 9-year olds, maybe this is just what I need to preserve any sensibility that I still have remaining.

But, seriously, I love third-graders.  They are old enough to be independent (no nose wiping and shoe tying) and young enough to still think that school is fun and the teacher is cool.  So, it doesn't get any better than this.

I'm always a little puzzled, though, when it comes to fitting third grade into a category.  When I started teaching (way back before schools had computers) third grade was considered a primary grade.  Not so much, anymore.  Primary grades, generally, are K-2.  How nice to fit into such a tidy grouping.  When materials are listed for grades K-3, I know without even looking that they will be too easy for my kids.

Intermediate?  I don't know.  It depends on who's asking and who's answering.  When I google intermediate grades I get a wide variety of opinions--anywhere from 3-5 to 6-8.  So, stuck in the middle, we are, not really sure which group we belong with.  It's a lovely place to be, though, right in the middle of the elementary years.  The place where the "rubber hits the road"  where kids really turn on to reading and discover they can read those "big books".  I love being in the place where learning to read morphs into reading to learn.  Just look at all those light bulbs turning on!