Big Readers, Little Learners: Lower School Students Celebrate Literacy Together

The joy of reading and writing filled the Lower School as Grade 2 students from Ms. Graf’s class and Kindergarten students from Mr. Parenteau's came together to celebrate the completion of their phonics and writing units. The learning celebration, held on October 31, brought laughter, creativity, and plenty of rhymes as Grade 2 students proudly shared the silly rhyming books they had written as special gifts for their younger peers.  

The atmosphere was warm and buzzing with excitement. Grade 2 students were eager to read aloud their original stories, each one filled with imaginative characters, rhythmic verses, and colorful illustrations, while Kindergarten students listened with wide-eyed curiosity and admiration. For the younger students, it was a moment of inspiration; a glimpse of what lies ahead in their own learning journeys.  

“This felt like the perfect opportunity to connect our learning with theirs,” shared Grade 2 teacher Rosie Graf. “Our students had just completed a phonics unit that celebrated all the foundational skills they learned in Grade 1 while deepening their understanding of rhyming words. Because kindergarteners read many rhyming books, we wanted to share our love of rhymes and the joy of playful language with them.”  

Phonics were at the heart of this celebration. A key goal of the Grade 2 unit was for students to identify and use powerful spelling patterns found in rhyming words to strengthen both reading accuracy and spelling fluency. Students explored many rhyming books, searching for patterns that could be transferred across different words. They learned to ask themselves, “Is this a powerful pattern that can help me spell other words, too?” Through reading, analyzing, and playing with rhymes, students became more confident in both decoding and encoding words.  

The event also offered an authentic opportunity for leadership and kindness. As “big second graders,” students practiced giving thoughtful compliments and encouragement to their Kindergarten buddies. “It was a wonderful chance for them to practice leadership and kindness in an authentic way,” said Graf. “They learned how to give meaningful feedback and celebrate someone else’s effort.”  

The collaboration beautifully showcased the Schoolwide Learning Outcomes, particularly the development of collaborative communicators. Throughout the unit, Grade 2 students worked with partners to identify and record rhyming patterns, then used those discoveries to compose their own rhyming books. When they presented their work to their Kindergarten friends, they practiced active listening, offered specific compliments, and encouraged their peers, connecting academic skills with positive social interactions.  

Students also embodied the TAS values of kindness and courage. Kindness shone through when they chose to gift their cherished books to their Kindergarten partners, even though many expressed pride and a desire to keep them. Courage was evident as students shared their writing publicly, first with peers during the revision process and later with their Kindergarten audience.  

“Sharing personal writing requires vulnerability and bravery,” said Graf. “Our students rose to the occasion with enthusiasm and pride. It was a touching reminder of how academic learning and character development go hand in hand.”  

The celebration reflects Taipei American School’s mission to inspire a lifelong love of learning and a sense of joy in discovery. By connecting students across grade levels, teachers nurture both pride and purpose in learning, encouraging students to take ownership of what they know and to feel excited about what lies ahead.  

This learning exchange also highlights how Lower School teachers collaborate across grade levels to create meaningful, connected learning experiences. By working together, they help students see that learning is a shared journey, one that encourages communication, confidence, and curiosity. These moments bring the Schoolwide Learning Outcomes to life in engaging, authentic, and lasting ways.  

Moments like this remind the TAS community that learning is most powerful when it is shared, when one student’s joy becomes another’s inspiration, and when every story brings the community a little closer together.