I had a chance to spend some time this week in the 2nd grade classroom. On Monday I enjoyed a raucous game of dice with the boys and today I had the pleasure of joining the girls in a few games of cards. Essentially, the activities were math games and, clearly, the kids were learning math. But, what impressed me more was the social and relational aspect of these games and the way that the learning experience was enhanced through the power of relationships.
Indeed, in their respective games, the boys were more competitive and the girls were more cooperative. But, more than that, the kids were truly engaging with each other and the subject matter simultaneously. The banter between the students was friendly and constructive and the fact that the kids were so comfortable with one another made the self-directed aspect of the activity flow naturally out of the direct learning experience.
At The Community School we pride ourselves on providing a challenging and developmentally appropriate curriculum in an environment that nurtures and emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships. In my small glimpse into the 2nd grade this week, I was honored to be welcomed into that environment where it became clear to me that, indeed, it really is all about relationships!