Fifth Graders

Fifth Graders are new players on the world scene. They listen to the news and want to know how what the media says affects them. They begin to develop a sense of justice and fairness that transcends beyond their immediate vicinity.

Another interesting phenomenon is that in wanting to know more, they will ask questions as they've done in the past, but since the questions now deal with much more sensitive issues due to the times, a child may wait until they are being tucked in or when the parent is driving a car to ask the questions. This may be due to the fact that the child wishes to avoid direct eye contact yet at the same time desires to hear what the adult has to say.

Children at this age also, since they are unaccustomed completely to the competency of conversation about specific or delicate issues, may become agitated or frustrated and thus not talk about anything. This should not be taken as a sign that they cannot be approached and asked what the problem is, with conversation easily then following. Emotionally, children will be generally consistent but may veer off into unmapped territory from time to time.

Episodes of anger, embarrassment about a haircut, accusations of unfair behavior are all common characteristics that will pop up time to time. Also, fifth graders are more in tune with societal relationships and will begin to have an interest in the opposite sex. This interest will remain fairly innocent enough to not worry about for a few more years. However, discipline should be maintained with the caveat that it should be meted out reasonably and firmly.

Late bloomers will want to catch up with the rest of the class and early bloomers will be self-conscious of their early advancement in comparison to the rest of the class. Physical changes will accompany emotional and mental changes. Girls will experience a spurt in growth and.