I developed the Elementary "I" School project in response to my vivid memories of my second grade classroom at St. James the Greater Elementary School. I remember being told to move my books from one desk to another as I was being demoted to the low level reading group. Out of boredom I had "read ahead" (strictly forbidden) and finished the second grade reader weeks before. I remember wondering, "Am I being moved to this group as a punishment for not paying attention during phonics drills or does Sister really think I can’t read?"

Another vivid memory from that year—wondering why I was in more trouble for bad behavior than the boys in the class who really got up to mischief. As an adult educator I learned that teachers do tend to allow boys more latitude in behavior than girls. A second grader’s hunch confirmed by educational research!

Olivia Gude,
Contemporary Community Curriculum Director