5th Grade is a great grade :)

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5th Grade is a great grade :)
By Tanya

Hi there. Don't worry about your new move, kids are pretty much the same at any grade level, but the upper grades are by far my favorite. There is a wonderful book called "Getting Ready to teach 5th Grade" by Frank Schaffer
Publications (they make one for each grade level). I bought it when I moved from 2nd to 5th and it really helped me out A LOT with being able to adjust my teaching style to upper grades, and what knowing what to expect from 10 year olds.
Fifth grade is sooo wonderful to teach. The curriculum is very interesting, and they are able to rationalize, think beyond the black and white,

and hold converations about deep and meaningful topics. They are starting to really feel themselves out as far as peer relations, they begin to notice the opposite sex, and the hormones start raging after Christmas (but ESPECIALLY after Spring Break ).
5th graders are independent, capable, and enjoyable. I'll never go back down to primary again.

For the first 3 days of school (we always start on a Wed.) I really hit procedures hard. 5th graders still need to be taught how to get in line, walk respectfully down the hall, hand in papers, head their papers, and all the other things the little ones need. Come up with a class handbook of all your procedures and policies and go over it with them together in class (then have them take it home and both they and a parent need to sign and return it).
One activity I did last year on the 2nd day was that I collected grocery store flyers over the summer and created a budget activity. In groups of 2 they had to come up with 3 meals a day and one snack for 5 days using only the items found in their flyer. The math part came in that they had only $100 to spend. They were very creative (bought bread and cereal to last a week, used a gallon of milk for the week, bought non-brand name products because they were cheaper, etc..). They had to work together, which helped them get to know each other, and then had to share one day's menu with the class. They loved it, and it gave me a good assessment of their math skills.

5th graders still like hands-on, fun and meaningful activities. Make it fun like you did for your 1st graders.

If you have ANY questions please e-mail me and I'd be glad to help out!!!!!