Second & Third Grade: August 31-September 4, 2026
Dear Second and Third Grade Families,
The class has completed their first Main Lesson block of the year. They learned a selection of Aesop’s fables and, depending on their ability level, were introduced to or deepened their knowledge of language arts concepts including magic e, glued sounds, nouns, and sight words. In addition, students enjoyed completing the first two pages of their personal reading logs that will capture moments in their literacy journey as the year progresses. For each page completed, students earn a stamp as a symbol of their achievement in addition to one for each reading milestone, examples of which are reading a mystery book, recommending a title, and reading a book over 100 pages.
Another aspect of literacy that is alive and well at our school is the shared story. Parents, do you vividly recall listening to stories and being read to in childhood, whether at home by a beloved adult or at school by an enthusiastic teacher? Sweet memories. It is with great joy that The Garden School teachers continue this tradition, all the way from early childhood through middle school. Each day, the Second and Third Grade class listens to a carefully selected novel during lunchtime; this year, the first of these is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, published in 1900. The timeless fantasy meets students navigating the nine-year change, in which they develop keener awareness of their separateness from the world, begin to integrate their inner faculties–willing, feeling, and thinking–, and realize that adults have weaknesses and imperfections. Dorothy is removed from her familiar surroundings and dropped into a new world that can be harsh and forbidding. As she seeks a way home, she guides her three companions, the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, and the Lion, as they search for a heart, a brain, and courage, only to realize that they had them all along. Dorothy ultimately realizes that she can rely on herself to reach Kansas. The Wicked Witch of the West is afraid of the dark (a detail that had the whole class rolling) and is unintentionally destroyed with a plain old bucket of water, while the supposedly all-powerful wizard turns out to be a charlatan. Students do not know this last part yet, so shh! They are lapping up the story as it reaches its conclusion.
We are looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow at Curriculum Night!
Class Reminders and Announcements:
Thank you for sending reading challenge books. Keep them coming! In order for your child to build their literacy skills, the book should be mostly decodable by the student rather than a favorite picture book they have memorized.
Parent Conferences are October 8 and 9! Please sign up here to schedule a time to meet.
Conferences are for adults only and are an opportunity to come together to talk about your child’s experiences at school, celebrate their growth, and share any questions, observations, or concerns.
September 12: Community Workday
September 18: Day of Courage (half-day)
September 21 - 25: Fall Break
September 28: Teacher In-Service (No School)
Warmly,
Ki Michelle
