Every Wednesday morning the entire lower school gathers in the Chapman room for a weekly assembly. The structure of the forum is simple. Each week a different class spends time canvassing all the classes to find out who might like to share an aspect of their learning. Students lead the assembly. They begin by welcoming everyone assembled, including the many families who join us each week. Then they introduce themselves and the student or group who has something to share. 

Some times the work that is shared is a finished product…a poem, a survey, a map, etc. And other times it might be a work in progress, like the third graders who were learning to make kites.  We saw the initial stages of kite building in early October and the completed tetrahedral style kite, a couple of weeks later. Later that morning, the third grade took their prototype outside to give it a test run!

This week first graders told us about their exploration of Market Street and showed us photos they took of their favorite buildings, fifth graders shared posters they made about Egyptian gods, and fourth graders invited lower school students to participate in Trick or Treat for UNICEF.  The education of children is a social process. By working and learning together, a school becomes a community.

Please join us…

There is abundant enthusiasm, creativity, and inspiration to behold at the lower school assemblies.  Anyone in the PDS community is welcome to join us on Wednesday mornings at 8:30 am in the Gilkeson Center. It’s a great way to start the day!