Second Graders Exercise Their Imaginations on Day of Roxaboxen

Inspired by their reading of Roxaboxen, an award-winning children’s book written by Alice McLerran and illustrated by Barbara Cooney, Country School second graders headed to the woods to exercise their imagination, Nov. 3.

Working in small groups or individually, children whisked around the school’s 35-acre woodlands for several hours, collecting fallen branches, stacking logs, piling stones, sweeping leaves aside to make roadways and paths, and creating an imaginary town of their own.

“My second grader said it was the best day at school she has ever had,” shared Tatum Fichthorn of Darien. “She loved it!”

Back in the classrooms later that afternoon, students connected their experiences to the school’s mission and core values, which honor courage, curiosity, creativity and kindness.

The second grade day of Roxaboxen is just one of many Country School traditions that combine traditional teaching methods, such as a read-aloud, with an experiential component.

“It’s wonderful to get the kids out of their seats and into the woods!” said Grade 2 Teacher Abigail Newport. “The ability to imagine, and then act upon that imagination, is a crucial part of childhood. It’s a fundamental underpinning of creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking. Plus, it has the added benefit of being a lovely way to spend the afternoon.”

New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9 living in Westchester and Fairfield counties. Graduates excel at top day, boarding and public secondary schools and go on to lead lives of impact and purpose. For more information, please visit countryschool.net.