Are Grade 1 teachers the best?

WHEN you ask elementary teachers themselves who are the best teachers (in elementary level), they are handling Grade 1. If teachers are expected to effective and efficient, then the Grade 1 teachers are believed to be the most effective and efficient in the elementary level.

Grade 1 is an exciting time of transition for the children. Thus, teachers must provide exciting activities for them. First grade teachers are the bedrock of every student’s educational experience and, as a result, they must be especially patient and skilled at teaching foundational literacy skills. Because they educate students that are usually seven years old, first grade teachers spend their time planning lessons that are shorter and more rudimentary than the assignments of elementary school teachers in higher grade levels.

Grade 1 teachers possesses the most innovative and interesting teaching strategies and techniques compared to other higher grades levels in the elementary. According to the article published by the “We Are Teachers Staff” on Feb. 23, 2018, the following are most common Grade 1 teachers effective strategies and techniques: 1) they make a big colorful, bulletin board to welcome their pupils; 2) they make nametags to their pupils for them to be able to introducing themselves in a creative way; 3) they make happy icebreakers in the class; 4) they always sing an educational song with their pupils; 5) establish a culture of kindness; 6) they teach basic patriotism and citizenship; 7) teach basic reporting in front of the class (such as introducing their names, etc.); 8) assign jobs; 9) read stories that build your students’ social-emotional skills; 10) use “recite this…” to create your own inspirational posters; 11) stock up on fun tools to use for guided reading; 12) encourage critical thinking by giving your students writing prompts, and others.

In addition, Agate, (2005) suggest that although primary grade students were participating in a variety of writing activities, especially writing stories and letters, they continued to spend a considerable amount of time teaching and learning the basic skills or practices of writing (Dela Cruz, 2018).

Having these in mind, if I were to be asked, I highly suggest that Grade 1 teachers should have higher remuneration than Grade 2 to 6 teachers or any other teachers. If teachers in the Special Program have higher salary grades in the public sector, why they cannot do the same with Grade 1 teachers. Teaching in the Grade 1 could be the most difficult and challenging grade level in the elementary as it gives the foundation and thereafter could be considered as the best of them all.

Kudos to all Grade 1 teachers!