Creating a First Grade Community at Forestdale

by Julie Crosby, first grade teacher  – Forestdale School

As we continue to build community within our school, all the First Grades at Forestdale got together on Friday, January 15th . We chose to read the book The Invisible Boy, by Tracy Ludwig because it is about friendship and empathy. The story shows small but important ways to be a good friend as well as challenge the power of a group. This generated lots of discussion as the purpose is for children to practice being kind and inclusive of others in their classrooms, in the cafeteria, at recess, and outside of school.

Together we sang the song,” What I Am”. Each child decorated a paper hand with things that represent them as individuals. All the paper hands put together represent our promise to be a good friend to everybody.