Quantum leap

[Ladybug]

I'm teaching a weekly faith formation class to 6th graders this year. I've been conducting a crash course in tweens. Oh boy. It's so out of my preschooling mommy league. My primary parenting arsenal still consists of crafts, timeouts and shiny things you can shake that make funny noises. Technology has changed so much too since I was a sixth grader. Now they have to lay their electronic devices on my desk when they enter the classroom and pick them up when they leave. I don't even know how to text. I guess I better not let that slip out.

The class is so late (7:30-8:30) due to afterschool activities. I can't believe how long these kid's days are now. They're putting in 12+ hour days, and that doesn't include homework.

[Pollyanna]

Good for you Annie!! The fun thing about that age is that you can really have some great discussions about faith. Enjoy.

[L.Jane]

Working with that age can be tough! Not as tough as 7th and 8th, but still tricky. I hope you have a great class with great discussions. I know when I was merely substituting for a class like that getting them to concentrate that late at night was tough. They were spent from their day at school and just wanted to talk with their friends. Good luck!

[oceanchild]

I taught 8th grade confirmation the last two years, and it was HARD WORK. Good luck!

[Rapunzel]

I've been teaching that age for several years at church. The last year and a half has been the 14 and 15 year olds (so, their grades range from 8th-10th).

I really enjoy it. I basically treat them like I would my kids because 14 year olds really are a whole heck of a lot like 4 year olds. I love this particular age because they don't take any "because I told you so" or "that's just the way it is" explanations to their questions and they are old enough to understand the answers.

Definitely collect any electronic devices before class if it is a problem! LOL

And, I highly recommend bribery. I usually use brownies.

Sixth graders (11 and 12 year olds) are still really just kids. They put on a show of acting tough (or what they THINK is tough) and "grown up" (or what they THINK is grown up) - but they really are kids still underneath it all. They are much more easily intimidated by authority figures than the teenage set. Also tend to be less jaded and/or skeptical. Very, very self-conscious age.

[Ladybug]

I've had waaaay too much fun prepping the class. I wrapped their books in brown parcel paper and tied it up, and then I wrote them an mysterious letter/invitation and sealed it in an envelope stamped with "top secret" and their names. It's awesome. I figure intrigue goes a long ways at 11. Curriculums are a lot of fun at this age. More interesting than early elementary, but they still have a sense of wonder.

[Rapunzel]

I really do love that they have that sense of wonder still!

You sound like such a great teacher!

[peggyfromwastate]

All I can say is:

Bless you!