Second & Third Grade: September 8-12, 2025
Dear Second and Third Grade Families,
Thank you to those of you who were able to attend Curriculum Night! I enjoyed speaking with so many of you, and look forward to having deeper conversations during our fall conferences, which will be held next month. Conference sign up is available here: The Garden School - Ki Meredith: Fall Conferences
Last week, our class moved into the forest classroom for the Main Lesson. The children were excited to spend their mornings learning while surrounded by nature. On their first day in the forest, they heard the story of Saint Francis of Assisi and his love for nature and wildlife. The students drew parallels between his life and their own love for the natural world, and many shared stories about their own encounters with animals.
This week, the class has been learning about civil rights activists. They heard the stories of Ruby Bridges and Claudette Colvin and will learn about Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks later this week. The children were amazed to learn that Ruby and Claudette were children when they acted courageously and became important figures in the civil rights movement. They also enjoyed discovering that both women are still alive today. This was a significant shift for the Second graders, who spent so much of their time immersed in the world of fairy tales last year. Hearing stories about real heroes who are still living made history come alive in a powerful and inspiring way.
Today, the students prepared for the Day of Courage by searching the forest for their wooden swords. Each Third grader found a wooden sword, which they will smooth with sandpaper and polish with oil over the next week. On the Day of Courage, they will bring their swords with them as they enter the dragon’s den to find their gem. The Second graders accompanied their Third grade partners and found wooden beaded bracelets, symbolizing the challenge that awaits them next year.
If you’d like to talk with your child about the Day of Courage, a good starting point could be our circle opening verse:
Brave and true I will be,
Each good deed sets me free,
Each kind word makes me strong.
I will fight for the right!
I will conquer the wrong!
Announcements & Reminders:
Send in bug spray or cream, two water bottles, and a light jacket each day.
September 3: Grades Curriculum Night, 6:00-7:00 pm (adults only, please)
September 13: Community Work Day - Hosted by Second and Third Grade
September 19: Day of Courage (Half Day) - Please plan to have your child wear red
September 22 - 26: Fall Break (No School)
September 29: Teacher in Service (No School)
Warm regards,
Ki Meredith
