2-3 Grade Character Developmental stage:
8-11 years old - read seasonal reflections here:
Children this age need similar opportunities for nature activities as their younger peers but in larger scale. (Typically extends longer for boys than girls because of the earlier onset of puberty and adolescence in females.)
Create strong friendships especially those of the same sex and want to belong to a group that is socially secure. Imagination can be exercised in activities that they see as adventurous – That support growth of confidence through autonomous action (fort building ex.) Space large enough to pretend to be lost. Territory expands and collecting and classifying becomes popular.
During the mid-elementary years our Adventures follow a theme titled “Changes inside and around me”. The Adventure cycles emphasize creating a community, cooperation, communication and conflict resolution. In second grade students know this as “Being Kind”, “Being Gentle” and “Being Safe”. In third grade students know this as “Play Hard”, “Play Fair” and “Play Safe”. As an example, students may investigate insects and learn about the soil around the plants where the insects were found. Fire building and maintaining will be added in addition to the safety lessons from previous grades. Students will continue practice making friction with sticks and be introduced to various primitive fire making tools such as the “plough fire, hand drill fire, bow drill fire”. During these types of experience they will learn how conflicts that can escalate or de-escalate when teams work under challenging circumstances.
LATE SUMMER: Grasshopper Terrarium - I CAN USE LISTENING SKILLS TO RECOGNIZE THE FEELING AND PERSPECTIVE OTHER OTHERS RELATED TO THE 3-5 ADVENTURE NORMS OF “PLAYING KIND”, “PLAYING GENTLE” AND “PLAYING SAFE” (2ND GRADE) “PLAYING HARD”, “PLAYING FAIR” AND “PLAYING SAFE” (3RD GRADE).
FALL: Den Building - I CAN PRACTICE COLLABORATION BY RECOGNIZING WHEN CONFLICTS ESCALATE OR DE-ESCALATE AS WE TAKE ON DIFFERENT ROLES TO BUILD AND WORK TOGETHER.
WINTER: World Indigenous Games & Kapa Haka - I CAN PRACTICE COURAGE BY NAMING MY EMOTIONS AND REMEMBERING THAT I CAN LEARN FROM CONFLICTS AND MISTAKES IF I SHARE MY FEELINGS AND PLAN FOR WIN-WIN SOLUTIONS.
SPRING: Honing our Senses - I CAN PRACTICE COURAGE BY CHALLENGING MY CURRENT ABILITIES AND COMFORT LEVELS.
Seasonal topics and activities overview can be read here:
K-8 science connections can be read here: