Characteristics of students ages 3-11 Grades Pre K -5

Grade
Age / Cognitive / Physical / Social / Emotional / The Curriculum Should
PreK-K
(3-5) /
  • Play & Explore
  • Move Frequently
  • Copy & Repeat Activities
  • Large muscles in learning
/
  • Clumsy; collisions & spills common
  • Sit for short periods
  • Awkward with writing & small motor movements
  • Lots of physical activity
/
  • Likes to help & follow rules
  • Learns from modeling
  • Friendly, talkative & bubbly
  • Responds to clear expectations
/
  • Sense of humor & able to show empathy
  • Friendships are formed
  • Prefers same gender playmates
  • Cooperative play increases
  • Time for testing new abilities in new settings
/ Include a variety of hands on activities
Provide opportunity for frequent movement
Include repetitive activities
Involve music & movement for literacy
Incorporate small & large motor activities daily
Allow for small group activities to encourage cooperative play
First
(5-6) /
  • High volumes of work with low content
  • Herre and now literal thinking
/
  • More aware of fingers as tools
  • Noisy in classroom
  • Enjoys outdoors & PE
  • Easily tires & frequent illness
/
  • Wants to be first
  • Competitive nature
  • Anxious to do well but does a lot of testing
/
  • Enjoys play
  • Any failure is hard
  • Thrives on encouragement
  • Easily hurt
/ Provide opportunities for student success with plenty of praise when working
Incorporate physical movement
Include hands on learning
Be centered on family, friends, school & community
Second
(6-7) /
  • Needs repetitive tasks & routine
  • Uses manipulatives
  • Needs to complete work
  • Strives for perfection in work
  • Discovering concepts best
  • Still needs to whisper read
/
  • Begins bridging noisy work to quiet areas
  • Work is more tidy
  • Pencil grasp at point
  • Letter writing anchored
  • Works with head down
/
  • Likes to work one on one or small group
  • Friendships shift frequently
  • Strong likes and dislikes
  • Needs security & structure
/
  • Tense feelings
  • Hypersensitive
  • Moody
  • Needs constant reinforcement
/ Provide ample time for manipulation of materials
Include structured content
Provide time for repetition of material
Promote concrete thinking
Grade
Age / Cognitive / Physical / Social / Emotional / The Curriculum Should
Third
(8-9) /
  • Gets involved in activities but socializes
  • Likes group activities
  • Works quickly & industrious
  • Basic skills mastered
  • Sense of competence with skills
/
  • Speedy
  • Fully of energy
  • Needs outdoor time
  • Somewhat awkward
  • Limited attention span
  • Strong vision
/
  • Likes cooperative work
  • Overestimates abilities
  • Group friendships
  • Talkative
  • Exaggerates
/
  • Resilient from mistakes
  • Trouble with limits and boundaries
  • Humorous
/ Allow for gradual release for longer projects
Break down tasks to smaller bits
Include group work
Include organizational strategies taught
Fourth
(9-10) /
  • Critical of themselves; avoid sarcasm
  • Movement toward skilled memorization
  • Curious but less imaginative
  • Move towards problem solving
  • Abstract concepts difficult at first
/
  • Frequent injuries, complaints & nervous habits
  • Gradual increase need for breaks, snacks & outside activities
  • Neatness in handwriting disappears
/
  • Worriers but gradually moves toward contentment
  • Can be either aloof or fiercely competitive
  • Move toward enjoyment of group/family times
/
  • May revert to baby talk
  • Boys rough house
  • Start to be good listeners
  • Become more talkative
  • React negatively to almost everything then move towards a more happy outlook
/ Include practice with new tools & test taking strategies during learning
Be based on thematic units with longer projects and assignments
Allow group work
Promote pride in finished product
Fifth
(10-11) /
  • Concentrate for longer periods
  • Good at problem solving
  • Begins to see world at various perspectives
  • Abstract thinking
/
  • Vast need for physical activity
  • Need for rest periods & more sleep
  • Fine motor skills more developed
/
  • Works well in groups
  • Likes sports, clubs, & activities
  • Tests limits
  • Self-absorbed
  • Generally content
/
  • Quick to anger and forgive
  • Emotional extremes
/ Be challenging with problem solving activities
Include physical movement
Allow for hands on learning
Incorporate class meetings & peer mediation for students who break rules

Team Members: Elizabeth Culbertson, Dawn Fargo, Deanna Lothrop, Elaina Renfrew, Lisa Smith, Jonah Stevens