2nd grade vs. 5th/6th grade

Going from 2nd grade to 5th grade/6th grade was quite a jump. I like both grades a lot, they are just different.
In second grade they are more dependent on the teacher and they need a lot more help. They are much more "needy" which isn't bad. It is totally understandable and they are still learning and we are teaching them to become more independent. In second grade I was always walking around the classroom checking on the students and someone was always saying, "Miss Hoch." "Miss Hoch." "Miss Hoch." Which was a great feeling, being the teacher, the one they came to for help. Also the students have a shorter attention span. They need to switch up their activities and can not sit for long periods of time. If I did a lesson at the smart board I would not make it took long or else they would start to get distracted.

Where as in 5th/6th grade the students are more independent. You can give them instructions and explain what you want them to do and "send them on their way." They will just work until it is complete and then hand it in. They might have a question here or there, but they will basically just work quietly and then hand it in. And ask what they can do now that they finished. It was also different because they were writing paragraphs, whereas, my second graders had trouble writing complete sentences on their own. Also they have longer attention spans so they can sit through a longer lesson, and they can start to learn to sit through a lecture and how to outline their notes.
People ask me which grade I like better, and I do not know if I have an answer. They are just different, but I like both grades a lot! :)