We wrapped up our class read of James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl in the sweetest way possible—with a peach-themed celebration!

After following James on his magical adventure, it only felt right to bring a little of that joy into our classroom. Our “Peach Party” was full of smiles, laughter, and of course…peaches! Students enjoyed fresh peaches, peach soda, peach cobbler, peach ice cream, and even peach gummies. It was such a fun (and tasty!) way to celebrate finishing a book that captured their imaginations from start to finish.

More than just a party, it was a moment to reflect on the story, talk about favorite parts, and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a chapter book together. Watching their excitement throughout this unit—and especially during our celebration—was a reminder of how powerful a good story can be.

We had a wonderful time on our zoo field trip! The students were engaged, curious, and represented our St. James Day School so well.

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Thanking Community Helpers

As a final touch to end our Community Helpers unit we mailed letters to our community helpers from our projects. Students thanked them for all they do and included things they found interesting from their research.

Our 2nd graders recently wrapped up an exciting and meaningful Community Helpers Project, and it was such a joy to watch their learning come to life!

Students began by choosing a community helper to research—ranging from firefighters and police officers to nurses, teachers, and construction workers. They explored important questions like: What do they do? How do they help others? What tools do they use? Through books, videos, and guided research, students built their understanding of how these everyday heroes make a difference in our community.

As they worked, students practiced important skills like note-taking, organizing information, and turning their learning into complete sentences. They showed great responsibility and focus as they worked step-by-step through the research process.

To bring their projects to life, students created final presentations to share what they learned. It was wonderful to see their creativity shine—some included detailed drawings, labeled tools, and fun facts that taught all of us something new!

This project not only strengthened reading and writing skills, but it also helped students develop a deeper appreciation for the people who help keep our community safe, healthy, and running smoothly each day.

I’m so proud of their hard work and can’t wait for the next learning adventure!

Writing thank-you cards to community helpers is a meaningful way for students to practice gratitude while strengthening their writing skills. As second graders learn about the important roles people play in our communities—such as firefighters, police officers, nurses, and mail carriers—they also learn how a simple “thank you” can make a big difference. By writing thoughtful notes, students practice sentence writing, expressing appreciation, and connecting classroom learning to the real world. This activity not only builds writing confidence but also helps students recognize and value the everyday heroes who help keep our community safe, healthy, and running smoothly. ✉️💙

Our students recently stepped into the role of young engineers as they explored material properties and engineering design! As part of the challenge, students were asked to create a sun-protective hat using a variety of materials. Before building, they discussed important properties such as strength, flexibility, weight, and durability, and how these characteristics affect how well something works.

Using their creativity and problem-solving skills, students designed and constructed hats that would help protect them from the sun. They tested different materials, made design choices, and thought like real engineers by asking, “Will this material keep the sun out?” and “Is my hat sturdy enough to stay on?”

This hands-on activity encouraged students to think critically, collaborate, and apply what they learned about materials in a fun and meaningful way. The classroom was filled with imaginative designs and proud young engineers showing off their sun-safe creations!

Grandparents’ Day

Today we celebrated the love, patience, and laughter that grandparents give so freely. The entire school put on a wonderful performance, but I’m biased when I say that 2nd grade shined brightest during theirs. What a wonderful way to kick off winter break.

Happy Grandparents Day to the ones who make life a little softer and a lot more special. 💛

Valentine’s Day Party

Sweets, laughter, and all the fun was had at our Valentine’s Day Party.