Building a Community

Every day, the second Grade works on building a safe and caring community. This starts each morning when we watch worship and have a discussion about the passage we heard and the “Wondering Questions” that the presenting teacher asks.

During our Morning Meetings, we often share facts about ourselves or share our feelings. One of the Forests class’s favorite greetings is the “Color Greeting”. They will say, “Good Morning! Today I am feeling yellow because I am happy that the sun in shining.” or “Good Morning! I am feeling blue because I am tired.” A favorite sharing game is called “Just Like Me!” Students will think of a statement and stand up and say it. For example, someone will stand up and say, “I have lost 8 teeth!” If other children have lost 8 teeth they stand up and say, “Just like me!” Recently, a student stood up and said, “I miss my mom.” When 4 other students stood and said, “Just like me!” the sad look on his face faded. Being brave enough to share his feelings showed him that his classmates were feeling the same way and he felt less sad.

Throughout the day we continue to work together and build relationships. This may happen during math when they play a game or work on a bar graph together.

When working on a worksheet in Spanish, students are able to ask a classmate sitting nearby for some help in remembering the Spanish name for the color orange.

The Second Grade presented their research on a Notable American this week. Nervous presenters were given comforting advice and support from their classmates. They also were asked very thoughtful questions that showed the presenter that they were being listened to carefully. And finally, a round of applause for their hard work left each child with smiling eyes and a sense of accomplishment.

At the end of the day on Friday’s, student have a time designated as “Community Building”. Students can choose to play a board game, cards, build with legos or blocks or create a marble run. This is a time to use their imaginations, have a conversation, look around at the creations being built, and to cheer on the marble as gravity goes to work.

We are also SO HAPPY to welcome Lizzie and Lorelei back to the Forests class! All of the children are learning in school each morning. Our community truly is happy and blessed to have them with us! Welcome back Violet to the Meadows class! They have welcomed her and she has assimilated into the classroom community.