Mitzi Pena

EDUC-320

Grade Level: 5th

Theory:Erik Erikson’s 8 stages of Man

Erik Erikson focused a lot on a biological growth mindset. He believed that one's personality has
a lot to do with the biological Sub Conscious aspects of development. Erik Erikson believed that
social interaction has a lot to do with personality. He focused a lot on a child’s reliance of fitting
in and belonging. He stated that it is one of keys to helping one identify their find their true
identity. At this this grade level (5th) it is important that a child feels welcomed and included
amongst their peers.

Erik Erikson had different levels of development starting at birth and ending in old age.
The stages are as follows:
In stage four, which is the basic virtue of competency, it is Industry vs. inferiority that
corresponds to 5th grade (ages 9-10).

● At this stage is when a child’s peers opinions matters the most as it becomes a mayor part
of the child’s self-esteem. A child at this stage feels that they need to win their peers
approval and will develop to take pride in their accomplishments. Students at this age
rely a lot on their peers approval. This takes a huge toll on preparing students to the later
stage of Erik Erikson's stages of development, Ego identity vs. Role Confusion (ages 12
to 18.)

● At this age children are developing in the person that they will become. Physically they
are growing, eating and becoming a lot more active. Emotionally, It is important to guide
and respect their developing personalities. Teachers, parents, guardians or any role model
the child may have is who shapes the child's motivation and sense of competence.

● At this age children need be encouraged and reinforced because they begin to feel
confident in their ability to achieve goals. These actions need to be encouraged or else
they will feel inferior and doubt their abilities of whether they can accomplish these
goals. If a child feels that they can't fulfill society's demand of achieving these goals, they
will feel incompetent. Children at this stage need praise. Praise can be as simple as being
acknowledged due to their high sense of competence. At this age it is essential to be
empathetic, mainly because children feel the need of being praised rather than punished
for their efforts.
● Emotionally, at this age children are starting to shape as a rational thinker. At this age,
they start developing their own ideas, interests, mainly be seeing it and experiencing it off
of their friends. Children at this stage may seem disobedient and rebellious only because
this is their way of expressing their independence and self interests.
● As they develop their own interests they also shape the way they approach these interests
They start recognizing their talents and pursue activities that appeal their interests.
 Again, they need that sense of competence of being good at their favorite sports, music
instrument or science project where it is self motivation that causes a huge impact on
whether they achieve their interest or not. (industry vs. Inferiority).

Grade Level: 3rd grade

Theory: John Dewey: Progressive Education

John Dewey believed in a democratic classroom. He believed that learning was most meaningful
by experience and that children should be able to have a voice in the classroom. The teacher
must be the facilitator or the one who gives the information yet must work together to exert that
learning according to students interests. They must work together as a class to collaborate ideas
that in return helps build leadership, social and emotional skills. John dewey strongly supported a
positive, differentiated classroom environment.

● Students in this grade level become competitive. They begin to defend their interest and
become a lot more opinionated on what they like and don't like. At this age, their high
stamina helps them identify what they are good at and whether what they are leaning
appeals to them or not. This ties to Dewey's theory because students at this age begin to
feel as if they have a say and feel in charge of the sports or activities they are involved in.
● Cognitive wise, students begin to identify what is meaningful to them or not. According
to Dewey's theory, students start to create their own path in learning. As a teacher it is
important to give them the information but it is up to the students to deliver and grasp
that information. Students must be free to explore their options and environment helps
them feel in charge of their own learning. As teachers it is important to give students
structure yet give them the freedom to how that information is approached.
● Socially, students build great critical thinking skills that enables them to collaborate in
groups and express their thinking in complex ways. According to Dewey, giving every
student a voice helps them listen, respect and embrace their peers opinions along with
helping their social skills that will later turn into leadership and acceptance. When
students collaborate their ideas they gain insight on different opinions that may be alike
or different than their own. Also, it helps the teacher learn from her students because she
is listening to different perspectives rather than lecturing something she already has a
clear understanding in.
● In the emotional aspect, 3rd graders are growing aware of others emotions. This can tie to
social growth because they rely on their peers yet it helps them become independent and
aware of who they can depend on. At this age, students begin to develop a sense of
empathy for others which helps them become strong and resilient. Also, by giving
students their own way to construct knowledge, it helps their self esteem and makes them
feel independent because of that decision making, According to Dewey, a teacher should
be there as a facilitator and guidance for their learning, not a lecturer.
● 3rd grade is an important age to tie into John’s Dewey's theory because at this age,
critical thinking skills develop greatly..Children at this age start to highly develop
independence skills and it is crucial to make students feel in charge of their own learning.
Dewy mentioned that education must be a part of life instead of preparation for it which
in hand ties to a teacher facilitating learning not telling them what to say, think and do.