Presenting projects and engaging in public speaking can be highly beneficial for young children in several ways: boosting their confidence, improving communication skills, enhancing social abilities, teaching responsibility and time management, fostering creativity, building resilience, and refining listening and feedback skills. They also learn to accept constructive criticism and use it to enhance their work. Overall, public speaking and project presentations help young children develop a wide range of skills that will serve them throughout their education and in life. At St. James, students begin practicing public speaking in the 3-year-old class. They start presenting projects they’ve created in first grade and continue to develop these skills throughout their years at St. James. I love Cereal Box presentations because, aside from the initial research, the students complete their projects independently in class. The students are always so proud, and a little nervous, to present their projects to the class and a full audience of parents.

One week, the weather was very windy, making it seem like perfect kite-flying weather. So, one Friday afternoon, we made kites and flew them around the soccer field. The students worked in pairs to create their kites using a template I found online. After constructing them, we tested them out. The third graders had the same idea but used a different design. It was exciting to watch both types of kites fly, and the first and third graders had fun working together to fly the kites.

For our spring community service project, we wanted to show our appreciation to the local Texas police department for all they do to protect us and keep us safe. The Lower School held a Popcorn and Pops for Cops event, allowing officers to either park and chat or drive through so they could return to work quickly. It was a great experience with thoughtful officers making the days of our first through fourth graders! We value our community and aim to instill in our students a sense of pride and a spirit of giving back to our community.

First grade had the opportunity to work with PreK students during Read Across America Week. Both groups wore crazy socks and listened to Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss. After the story, the first-graders led the PreK students in a game of memory using socks that the first graders designed. Older students who work with and lead younger students have the opportunity to develop essential leadership and communication skills. By mentoring and guiding their peers, they not only reinforce their own knowledge but also foster a sense of responsibility and empathy. These interactions allow younger students to learn from those who are just a few steps ahead, benefiting from shared experiences and advice. Additionally, older students often serve as role models, offering support and motivation while creating a more collaborative and inclusive learning environment for everyone involved.

Playing matching games is important because they help develop essential cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and problem-solving. These games encourage children to focus, recognize patterns, and make connections between related items, which strengthens their ability to process information efficiently. Matching games also enhance critical thinking and concentration, as players must recall previous matches and make decisions based on available clues. They also promote social interaction and cooperation when played in groups, fostering teamwork and communication. Matching games offer a fun and engaging way to boost cognitive development while improving memory and learning abilities. The PreK students loved having the chance to play and learn from first grade. First graders don’t get many chances to be the big kids, and they loved every minute of it!

Grandparents play a special and important role in the lives of their grandchildren and families. Every February, St. James Day School hosts a special program to celebrate the grandparents and special friends in our students’ lives. Grandparents often provide unconditional love and emotional security, offering a safe space for grandchildren to express themselves. To honor these special guests, the school holds chapel followed by a program to celebrate them while showcasing the students' talents and achievements. It’s a perfect opportunity for our students to give cards or sentimental keepsakes to show their gratitude to these important figures in their lives. In addition to creating a special craft for their grandparents, spending time with them is one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate their presence. The students take their grandparents on a tour of the campus and classrooms, where the classes are filled with the students’ work and daily activities. The morning aims to provide grandparents with an enjoyable experience alongside their grandchildren. The essential focus is to express gratitude and demonstrate how much they are loved and valued within the family.

First and second grade performed Kool and the Gang’s Celebration to prepare for the day. It was a fun performance to watch. The first grade used an app to make themselves look like a grandparent and then wrote about what kind of grandparent they would be. The pictures were hilarious and the writings were precious. Each first grader made a heart tree using their thumbprints for each set of their grandparents. It was a wonderful morning celebrating people who they love.

Today, we had so much fun learning about how plants grow and change, all while using colorful Playdoh! The plant life cycle is the process that a plant goes through as it grows, and we made each step come to life with our hands. Let me tell you what we did!

We started by making a small, round Playdoh ball. This is the seed! We learned that seeds come in many shapes and sizes, but they all need the right conditions to grow. Next, we showed how a seed begins to grow. We made a little crack in the seed, and from the crack, a tiny root started to appear. After that, we added a little sprout on top of the seed. From the sprout grew a sturdy stem. We made tiny leaves with Playdoh and placed them on our little plant.

Our plant kept growing taller, and soon it was a big, strong plant with even more leaves! This stage is when the plant is fully grown, and it can start to make flowers or even fruit. We made flowers on top of our plant to show how beautiful a fully grown plant can be! Once the flowers are pollinated, they will turn into seeds, and the cycle starts all over again. Using Playdoh made it easy to see how plants grow step by step. It was so fun to shape the seed, roots, leaves, and flowers with our hands! Plus, we got to play while learning, which made the lesson even more exciting.

There’s nothing quite as exciting as Show and Tell Day in a first-grade classroom! It’s a time when little voices shine, creativity bursts forth, and everyone gets a chance to share something special. For a first grader, Show and Tell isn’t just about bringing a toy or trinket to school—it’s about storytelling, pride, and connection.

Show and Tell is more than just a fun activity; it’s an opportunity for kids to practice important life skills in a safe and supportive environment. Show and tell builds the students’ confidence. Standing in front of peers to share a story or an object helps children gain confidence in public speaking. Kids think outside the box when choosing what to share. Whether it’s a favorite book, a homemade craft, or a pet rock, their imaginations come alive! It encourages the students to be thoughtful members of the audience. While one child speaks, the rest practice active listening and asking thoughtful questions. Show and Tell brings the class together by encouraging kids to learn about each other’s lives and interests.

In first grade, every child has a unique story to tell. Show-and-tell is a way to celebrate those stories, building confidence and connections that last far beyond the classroom. So next time your little one prepares for Show-and-Tell, know that it’s not just about the item in their hands—it’s about the courage in their hearts.

On the Friday before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, all of the lower school students came together to watch and listen to a Scholastic Live Read Aloud of You Are A Star, Martin Luther King, Jr., with author Anastasia Magloire Williams. It was a great moment to share together and soak in Dr. King's words.