Lower Elementary (2nd & 3rd Grade) at Wild Wonders
More Independence, Deeper Learning
Second and third graders are at the stage where things start to click. They're becoming stronger readers, more confident writers, and more capable math thinkers. They're also ready to take on more ownership of their project-based work, doing more of the researching, planning, and presenting on their own. This combined class gives students the structure they still need alongside the independence they're ready for.
2nd/3rd Grade Quick Facts
A four-day program where students continue building core literacy and math skills while taking on greater responsibility within project-based learning units. The academic expectations grow, but the hands-on, farm-based approach stays the same.
Families partner with us by continuing learning at home to meet Montana's required instructional hours, supported by curriculum and guidance from our teachers.
Schedule: Monday – Thursday | 9 AM – 2 PM
Location: Wild Wonders Farm | Belgrade, MT
Tuition: $920/month
What They're Learning
Students at this level are still building foundational skills, but with more depth and more independence than in first grade.
Reading moves toward fluency and comprehension. Math introduces new operations and more complex problem-solving. Writing becomes a bigger part of how students communicate what they know. Each year includes three project-based learning units, and at this stage, students do more of the work themselves: researching topics, collaborating with peers, and sharing what they've discovered.
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Reading & Language Arts
Students are moving from learning to read to reading to learn. Comprehension, vocabulary, and written expression all take a step forward at this stage.
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Math Skills
Multiplication, division, fractions, and multi-step problem-solving start showing up. Instruction meets each student where they are and pushes them forward from there.
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Project-Based Learning
Three units per year that connect subjects through a central theme. Second and third graders take on more of the planning and research themselves, building habits they'll use for the rest of their education.
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Nature & Outdoor Education
Daily farm chores, garden work, and outdoor exploration. Students at this age are old enough to take on real tasks and notice real patterns in the natural world around them.
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Creative Problem-Solving
Group projects, design challenges, and open-ended questions that don't have one right answer. This is where kids learn to think on their feet and work through ideas together.
A Day at Wild Wonders (2nd & 3rd Grade)
Morning Outdoor Exploration – Starting the day outside with movement and time to settle in before academic work begins.
Farm Chores – Hands-on responsibility with animals, gardens, and seasonal farm tasks. The jobs get bigger as the kids do.
Snack Time – A break to eat and catch up with friends.
Learning Block – Focused instruction in reading, writing, math, and project-based work. Teachers differentiate so each student is working at the right level.
Lunch & Social Time – Shared meals and unstructured time to build friendships and practice getting along.
Afternoon Outdoor Exploration – More time outside to play, move, and explore before heading home.
Why Wild Wonders for 2nd & 3rd Grade?
✓ Foundational Skills, Still Growing – Literacy and math are still front and center. These years are about getting stronger, not rushing ahead.
✓ More Ownership of Their Learning – Students start doing more of the thinking, planning, and problem-solving within their projects. Teachers guide, but kids lead more than they did in first grade.
✓ The Right Fit Academically – Combining 2nd and 3rd graders lets teachers challenge students who are ready for more while supporting those who need extra time, all in the same classroom.
✓ A Partner in Home Learning – Families get clear curriculum and regular communication from teachers so home learning days feel purposeful, not guesswork.