This week I was reminded how much learning can happen when we make room for both academics and the heart.
We stepped into the world of Armando and the Blue Tarp School, a story that gave us so much to talk about beyond the words on the pages. As we read, we thought about learning, opportunity, perseverance, and what it means to feel like you belong. Stories like this remind me that reading is never just about decoding words or answering questions. Books give children windows into experiences different from their own and opportunities to think about the world around them.
We practiced asking and answering questions, finding evidence in the text, and talking about important details. But perhaps most importantly, we talked about people—how they feel, what they need, and how small acts of kindness can make someone feel seen and valued.
In math, we began exploring place value, learning that the position of a digit tells us its value. We are beginning to build that important understanding that numbers are made up of parts—ones, tens, and hundreds—and that where a number lives matters.
I love watching second graders discover these concepts. Sometimes there is an immediate “aha!” moment, and sometimes we need to build, draw, talk, erase, try again, and try one more time. And that is okay. Learning is not always about getting it right the first time. It is about being willing to keep going.
But one of my favorite moments of the week happened outside of our traditional lessons.
We took sidewalk chalk outside and filled our schoolyard with positive messages about kindness.
Instead of simply talking about kindness, we put kindness where everyone could see it.
Children wrote messages reminding others to be kind, help a friend, use kind words, include others, and make our school a happier place. For a little while, our schoolyard became a giant chalkboard filled with encouragement.
There was something especially beautiful about seeing children's words scattered across the pavement.
Be kind.
Help others.
You are special.
Be a good friend.
Choose kindness.
These are simple words, but they carry an important message.
As an educator, I have always believed that the lessons children remember are not limited to the standards we teach. They remember how a classroom felt. They remember whether someone believed in them. They remember being included. They remember when their words mattered.
And sometimes, they remember the sidewalk chalk.
Another week of reading. Another week of numbers. Another week of questions, mistakes, discoveries, laughter, and learning.
And another reminder that educating the heart belongs right alongside educating the mind.
Because when children learn to read, write, count, and solve problems, we are preparing them for school.
But when we teach them to notice others, use kind words, include someone who feels left out, and leave a little more kindness behind wherever they go, we are helping prepare them for life.
And that may be the most important learning of all.
Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep choosing kindness. 💛
With gratitude,
Jennifer
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