I'm Not Smarter Than My Fourth Graders!

I've just started in the Greensboro College Elementary Education program and part of our requirement is to do feildwork every semester in an elementary school. I have been placed in a fourth grade classroom. I've only spent two whole days with these kids and my eyes have already been opened to so much! I was in fourth grade 11 years ago, so it hasn't been that long for me, I still remember my teacher, in fact, shes right next door to this classroom. But I'm blown away by how different things are now. These kids are extremely intelligent but very disrespectful. I've heard some of my fellow classmates say the difference between now and when we were in school is that we were afraid what would happen when we got home. I agree. My mama always told me to never ever talk back to my teachers. This is a lesson these kids need to learn. Aside from the behavioral issues, the curriculum is so advanced now. I had to sit down and think about a math problem before I could offer any help. These are fourth graders doing middle school math. This is crazy!

But needless to say I'm learning a lot and I just hope I am prepared for what I will have to face when I begin in my own classroom.