I have been a teacher for seven years now, and I would have to say without a doubt that my favorite grade to teach is 5th grade. To me, 5th graders are the perfect age to make teaching enjoyable and make it challenging enough to keep it from getting boring.
Teaching 5th graders does have its downsides (middle school attitudes at the end of the year is my least favorite), but the great parts far outweigh the negatives.
If you are new to teaching 5th grade or thinking about teaching 5th grade, here are my top ten things that I think every teacher should know about 5th graders. This list is, of course, from my own experiences and you will always find that there are students who don’t fit in with the normal expectations or behavior.
5th graders have a great sense of humor.
One of the best parts about teaching fifth grade is the students have a great sense of humor. They get jokes easier and are just genuinely funny at this age. This sense of humor will show up in classroom discussions (sometimes appropriate to the conversation, sometimes not- usually always school appropriate) and in their writing (which makes grading those long stories a little more interesting!).
5th graders still get excited about learning.
This one is HUGE for me. I spent a year teaching middle school and was shocked at how much more difficult it was to get the students excited. Fifth graders are easy to get excited about learning. For the most part, if I act excited about what we are doing, then they are, too. I love how I can hold up a book and tell them all about how this book was my favorite book growing up. By the end of my book introduction, I will have the majority of the students begging to read that book.
5th graders are the perfect blend of independent and dependent.
I actually spent my first year of teaching in 3rd grade. When I found out I was teaching 5th grade, I will admit I was a bit scared. However, after the first day of school I was hooked. I gave my students directions on a getting-to-know-you activity, had them repeat the directions to a partner, and then they got to work. I watched and waited for a few minutes for the questions to begin. They never did. The students were able to complete the work independently. This was a huge change from 3rd grade!
Even though they can be quite independent, 5th graders (for the most part) still want to please their teacher, even though some may not show it. They are still dependent in enough ways to make you feel needed and wanted as their teacher.
5th graders are capable of deep discussion and thoughtful conversations.
One of my favorite parts about teaching 5th graders is their ability to have deep discussions about virtually any topic. I love sitting on the carpet (yes, my 5th graders still sit on and around a carpet) and reading a book to them and then having a deep discussion about character motivation. The history topics we teach in my state (Civil War to Present Day) really evoke some great thoughtful, compassionate conversations as well. I will say that these deep and thoughtful conversations don’t always happen, but when they do, it makes teaching 5th grade so worth it.
5th graders are very talkative.
With the ability to have deep discussions comes the talkativeness. They do like to talk and socialize. As a teacher, I always try to channel that talking into more productive talk (turn and talk, repeat to a partner, share what you learned, etc) and set high expectations for when they can and cannot talk freely.
5th graders are very helpful (and capable of actually helping).
Have you ever asked a 2nd grade to do something and found that you had to repeat yourself sixty-five times and then just wound up doing it with them? 5th graders are not like that at all! I always say that 5th grade is the best year to teach if you have to rearrange, organize, or pack up your classroom at the end of the year. Many of them are still so willing to help out and most of them (not all of them – fair warning) are extremely efficient when they do help. I have found that when I have an organizational issue in my room, I can discuss it with my students and we can come up with a solution together, and then they can even execute it.
5th graders will push boundaries.
This is probably one of the most important things to know about teaching 5th graders. I have firsthand seen the same students be respectful and well-behaved for one teacher and the complete opposite for others. At this age, many 5th graders are testing boundaries and they will push them as far as you let them. Expect arguments and some back-talking and have a plan in place for when these do occur. Having high expectations and a well thought out classroom management plan is key with 5th graders.
Some 5th graders may have HUGE gaps in their understanding.
This part is one of the most difficult aspects of teaching 5th grade. The curriculum is so much more advanced than the students are used to. When students have large gaps, this can really hinder their understanding of 5th grade skills. It is important to quickly target students who you think have gaps and then figure out the gaps so you can fill them in. This is not always easy as many students have learned coping strategies by this point that hide their lack of understanding. One thing I always tell new 5th grade teachers is to never assume they all understand a concept or skill after instruction. I always recommend giving an exit slip or some type of individual quick check because they can (and will) fool you.
5th graders can be cooperative and competitive.
Because fifth graders love to socialize, working in groups is one of their favorite activities. You do have to set expectations and rules for group work, but they will most often flourish when working with others. Their engagement level instantly sky rockets when working with groups, too. With that being said, this is also the year when students become competitive. I always keep any “competition” light and fun and teach expectations for winning and losing. This is the perfect age to teach them how to handle healthy competition.
The curriculum is much more difficult, but 5th graders can (and do) rise to the challenge.
Fifth grade curriculum can be pretty difficult. The math skills move from concrete skills easy to understand, draw, and manipulate to abstract skills that require reasoning and logic. The reading levels increase and the rigor of the reading tasks can seem very daunting at the beginning of the year. However, by January, 5th graders really start showing huge growth in those difficult skills. By the end of the year, you will be shocked at how far they have come since the beginning. One year I had students go from leaving constructed response reading questions blank because they didn’t understand them to writing developed five paragraph essays that even they were proud of by the end of the year. If you are new to 5th grade, don’t let the curriculum worry you. The students will rise to the challenge with rigorous work and high expectations from you in regards to their learning.
Teaching 5th graders can definitely be a challenge and your classroom management game has to be strong, but it is so very rewarding! What would you add to this list?
P.S. If you are new to 5th grade and looking for curriculum resources, I highly recommend you check out these resources from my TpT Store:
And one more thing. I have this AWESOME collection of blog posts just for you! Click right here to see the Collection of 5th Grade Teaching Articles and Posts from my blog.
I taught 4th grade for three years and then was moved up to 5th for this school year. It was not a change I wanted, but now I absolutely love 5th grade! It really is such a great year.
That is exactly how I was. I was not happy when I had to move to 5th my second year. Turned out to be for the best, though!
i am not even in fifth grade yet i am in grade 4 i guess you are right because you are done grade 5 and you now all about it
By. Aariz
I agree, Jennifer! This next school year will be my sixth year in 5th grade and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
It really is the best grade! Have a great summer, Jami!
I’m a fifth grader. What’s so bad about it? Many things. My info:
Puberty
Depression
PE
Project depression
GATE: extra depression and pressure
i could go on and on
Thank you for sharing your perspective as a 5th grader. It is important that teachers remember what our students are going through at their young ages. If you personally are feeling thoughts of depression, make sure you speak to a caring adult in your life. They can help you navigate those feelings and learn strategies for overcoming them or coping with them.
im also a fifth grader and i share my perspective with the world here is what *as a girl* i am experiecnceing:
puberty
sadness(sometimes)
boys(they are weird dumb and i have HUGE crushes on some of them)
mean people
hope this helps you if ur a girl
I am interviewing for a fifth grade position this week. What are some buzzwords I should know? What kinds of thing might they ask me?
I agree with all of your list! I love 5th grade! I am actually moving down to third after 7 years of teaching fifth, so I am a little sad but excited for a new challenge as well. Do you have any advice for a 5th grade teacher moving to 3rd? 🙂 Thanks!!
I only taught 3rd for one year but I would definitely say to chunk tasks more, model more, give directions with less steps, give written and verbal instructions, and brain breaks for sure. 3rd graders are still so wiggly but the expectations for them are getting more difficult it seems. Have fun in 3rd!
Thanks so much!! I appreciate your insight!
I’m finishing my 4th year with 5th grade. I love this grade!! This year, a section of 4th was added to my list and I couldn’t believe the difference in the 2 grades!
I agree in so many ways with your entire list! 5th graders still love learning but usually haven’t developed the “I’m too cool for school” attitude yet!
You are so right! They don’t typically get that attitude till the last month of school! 😀 Have a great summer!
I love this! You are spot on. I just finished my fourth year teaching 5th. After teaching 1st (15 years), 2nd (11) and 4th (1 year), 5th is what I am loving the most. ???? ❤
Wow, you have had quite the varied teaching career. I will admit that I always wanted to try primary grades just once! Have a great summer!
I taught 7th & 8th grades for 5 years and then moved down to 5th grade, it was a challenging year at a challenging campus. I was able to move to a brand new school and JUMPED down to 2nd grade this year…Needless to say, I have requested to move BACK to 5th Grade!!! I didn’t realize how much I loved this age group until moving down. This list is SPOT ON!!! Can’t wait to get back to them next year! 🙂
I am glad you are going back. Have a great school year next year (not rushing summer at all 😀 )!
This is my 36th year of teaching. I’ve taught kindergarten, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th ( with 15 years of 8th grade math summer school.) Mostly I’ve taught 4th grade self-contained. The past 5 years I’ve taught fifth grade math and social studies. I love the challenge, but hate the attitudes. Since I teach in a high poverty school, many of my students are overage. The 10-11 year olds are great. But when you throw 13 year olds into the mix, it gets difficult. Because of the age differences, the attitude is there all year. I didn’t have that with my 4th graders. So I love the age of 4th graders, but love the curriculum in fifth grade!!!
Paula, I spent my first four years in an inner city, high poverty area. You are so right that it does change things when they are overage. 12 and 13 year olds are so different from your normal aged 5th graders for sure! You are also right that 4th grade is a great year as well. Have a great summer!
I have been teaching for 26 years having finished my 6th year in 5th grade. I have found my niche here., Your list is spot on! Jennifer, I love your blogs and TPT materials. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Sherri! Have a great summer!
This list is SPOT ON! I love so many of the things you mentioned! 5th Is DEFINITELY my favorite, and I’ve taught every grade from 3rd through 8th! Loved reading this and nodding my head the whole time 🙂
You are so right! I have taught 3rd through 7th, and 5th is definitely the best!
Yes, Yes, and Yes! I’ve taught 5th for 9 years and wouldn’t dream of changing grades! They are the perfect age! They already know how to read and write, you can joke around with them, they still LOVE their teachers, and they’re not quite at the hormonal stage yet. Although, you were right about that coming out towards the end of the year. hehe… Thanks so much for all your wonderful posts! I am thoroughly enjoying your blog!
Thank you, Dana! I am so glad you are enjoying reading my blog!
I will be beginning my third year in 5th grade ELA next year. Your post is spot on! I love this age! I am wondering what if any novel studies or read alouds you do during the year. I am looking to change up my novels a little and was wondering if you have any suggestions.
Thanks in advance! Love your blog!
Hi Julie, I do a lot of mentor text picture books and typically only one novel read aloud, which is Wonder. You can read about that here>https://jenniferfindley.com//2015/07/using-wonder-to-teach-all-common-core.html
I have plans to hopefully compile all of my picture book read alouds into blog posts this coming up year, so check back for that!
Favorite Read Alouds:
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
A Single Shard
Hatchet
Favorite Novel Studies:
My Side of the Mountain
The Secret School
When I taught fifth last year, we started the year with Mr. Terupt, and later also read The Thief of Always. Both had my kiddos hooked and groaning not to stop when our 15 to 20 minutes were up for read aloud…lol
I’m moving down to fifth grade this year after 12 years teaching sixth! I always said that I wouldn’t trade my sixth graders for anything, but it’s not always up to us. My non-teacher friends can’t understand why one grade feels like such a huge switch. Thank you for this post. It’s one more thing that is helping to psych me up for this new challenge!
I think you will love 5th grade and find that they are very similar! Good luck!
Thank you for this list. I am moving from grade one to grade five – having never taught junior before. Your tips were inspiring and helpful.
Thank you very much!
I am so glad they were helpful! Congrats on the move! I think you will love 5th grade!
Hi Wendy! I moved from first to fifth last year after 18 years of early childhood. While I miss the early and emergent literacy stage, I found many things about fifth grade that I enjoyed as well. I love that they get my humor. I also love that they can be so helpful. I think you will enjoy your year.
Thank you, Kari. Good to hear????
5th graders truly are awesome. I’ve taught 5th for 6 years (after teaching 1st for 4), and I can say that they never cease to amaze me! I had to leave in March this year to have my daughter and they were so upset. I felt (and still feel) awful because I felt like I bailed on them. I did go to the end of the year recognition ceremony and they were so excited. I love those kiddos!
I bet they were so excited for sure! You are so right that they never cease to amaze us! Have a great summer and enjoy the time with your daughter!
I am about to start teaching 5th grade this fall! This is my first year! Thanks for writing this article….I fell a little more prepared!
Jennifer– you took the words out of my mouth! I love teaching 5th grade for these reasons, and a few more!
*Fifth graders are compassionate. They look out for each other. When they see someone struggling they want to be the one to help!
*Fifth graders embrace a happy teacher, and catch that spirit, sharing it, and bringing it to the classroom the next day, and days that follow!
*Fifth graders keep you honest! They are not afraid to call you out on a mistake, but I always use that as a teaching moment on how to do that politely.
Thank you I really needed this. It is my first year teaching and I’m starting with 5th grade. I just accepted the job today and only have 3 weeks to prepare
This year will be my first year teaching 5th grade. I am moving from 4th grade. I really enjoyed reading your post. It was very helpful! What do you use for your classroom management system?
New to 5th grade and all of elementary. Have taught 13 years at HS and college. Am nervous about everything….pacing, classroom management, understanding a typical 5th gradeer’s capabilities and psychological development.
Agree with all! Fifth is BY FAR my favorite (I taught 3rd as well). Their humor and continued love of school/their teacher makes every day worth coming to work. 🙂
If I were to add anything, it’s the hormone changes that start in the Spring. Generally for my class, Spring Break until the end of the year gets a little more stressful because many of them are hitting pre-puberty/puberty hard. Also, I’m at a Kg-5th school, so they’re READY for middle school the next year. I still love them, but oh some days they aren’t the little angels I started with!
I was just told I was switching to 5th Grade next year. I currently teach 2nd. I am beyond scared and hope I will be successful in 5th. I am however looking forward to the change.
You will do great! I moved from 3rd to 5th my second year teaching. I was so worried but it made me a better 5th grade teacher, I think. I was able to break things down for the students better than if I had started in 5th. Good luck!
I am teaching 3rd this year, also my first year. I am not in love with the grade so when I got offered 5th grade for next year I was super excited!! Thank you for your survival tips ???.
I’m gonna teach 5th grade this year after teaching 2nd grade last year. I feel a little bit confused, but I’m so glad I find this article! This is very helpful to keep my positive thought of my (soon will be) 5th grader students. Thank you so much!
I am going back to teaching after 20 years!! School starts in 2 weeks. I need a classroom management plan. Rewards/Consequences etc. We dont have a schoolwide policy. Help me get one in place before start day. Fifth is so different from younger grades.
I’m moving from preschool to fifth grade next year. This post has helped. Thank you. My biggest worry and stress is classroom management. Ideas please on classroom management. You mentioned several times classroom management is key. Help please!
Hi Jody, check out this post for more details about classroom management –> https://jenniferfindley.com/classroom-management-tips-for-upper-elementary/
I agree with everything you have said! I have taught 5th grade for 16 years and it’s all true. 5th grade is special. Thank you for helping others to see how amazing it is.
Ms. Findley, I am interviewing for a long term sub position at a K-5. They need a 5th grade teacher to teach Math, Social Studies, Science, and ELA. Your ten reasons is the first thing I’ve read. I am concerned about multiple preps. I am also concerned about adult’s expectations of my work. I am a caring, hard-working person but I am not Superman. I have some working knowledge of the 5th grade classroom,, but I have never taught full-time, just substituted, so I have never really graded work and my classroom management is on-the-fly. Anyway, thanks for your tips and if you like to pray, pray for me. My long term goal is to be a K-5 school counselor.