This article is a call to action for elementary teacher educators. Our early childhood and middle grades colleagues made a clear case for the importance of focusing on specific developmental characteristics and family and community influences on development during the critical years they represent. A similar case has not been made for the upper elementary grades although students, teachers, teacher candidates, and teacher educators would benefit from a focus targeted to these years. This is especially critical given the changes in students' sense of accomplishment, belonging and engagement during these years and the changes that occur in their learning environments.