First Grade: February 23-27, 2026
Dear First Grade Families,
With warmer temperatures, showers, and daffodils abounding on campus, it is starting to feel like spring around here. The children play like frisky lambs at recess, reflecting the new energy that returns every year. They have grown bigger, not to mention faster and more adroit on the playground and in the forest.
Last week, the class added a new story to their Main Lesson Book of English fairy tales, that perennial classic “The Three Little Pigs.” Students especially loved the rhythmic taunts of the wolf followed by the pigs’ well-known retorts (all that huffing and puffing and chinny-chin-chinning). The image of the pigs’ three houses deeply resonated with the children; artistically depicting a house is a natural impulse in childhood that serves to represent feelings of safety and belonging. In the end, the wolf cannot conquer the pig who builds a house of bricks and outwits his hairy foe. Although fairy tales feature ugliness and unkindness, those shared in First Grade end happily for the virtuous protagonists. The Waldorf practice of sharing stories with archetypal representations of good and evil meet the children where they are developmentally, feeding their need for fairness and security.
In addition to Language Arts exploration through Circle activities, book work, and stories, students regularly play games to reinforce skills. One particularly beloved game is a variation on “hangman,” which is adapted to suit the season. The students’ goal is to guess the correct letters to fill out blanks on the board. If they guess incorrectly, a seasonal drawing is begun and developed as more incorrect letters are accumulated. Excitement mounts as more correct letters are added to the puzzle, reaching its peak when the words are completed and read aloud triumphantly!
Another skills-based game, this time mathematical, that blends risk and strategy is the game of Pig, in which students roll dice and add the number on each roll to the next, keeping a running total as they aim for 50. (Some students will be ready to play with two dice next time and aim for 100!) If a one is rolled, all points for the round are lost. Learners can choose to keep rolling as the round progresses or stop and bank their points. The more risk-averse like to stop to secure their points, while there are always at least a couple of thrill-seekers who cannot stop rolling! Sometimes, it pays off for a big grand total. No matter what, students have the chance to practice addition, build resilience, and display good sportsmanship.
Announcements & Reminders:
Please ensure your child has a seasonally appropriate change of clothes. A pair of socks is one of the most frequently needed items!
Parent Conferences are scheduled for March 12 and 13. Please sign up for a conference slot here. I look forward to meeting with each of you and discussing your child’s progress.
March 7: Community Work Day
March 12: Teacher-Parent Conferences (Half-day)
March 13: Teacher-Parent Conferences (No School)
March 18–19: Picture Day - Class photos will be taken, along with a makeup opportunity for students who missed photos in the fall.
Warmly,
Ki Michelle
