Celebrating Identity and Family: How a Beloved Grade 2 Tradition Began

Over the years, the Grade 2 team has been engaged in a thoughtful reimagining of the social studies curriculum.

How might the curriculum evolve to better reflect the world students live in, and the questions they are eager to explore? The team wanted something richer, more relevant, and more connected to students’ lived experiences.

They set out to build a new course of study rooted in global understanding. The guiding question became: “How are we similar to children around the world, and how are we different?” Within the new focus, exploration of continents, countries, and cultures provided students the chance to study elements such as clothing, shelter, traditions, and community life across the globe.

But before embarking on a journey outward, the teachers designed the first part of the unit as a journey inward—an exploration of identity. Students reflected on questions like: Who am I? What are the different parts of my identity? Where do those parts come from? As children considered their own identities, they naturally transitioned to examining their families, recognizing that so much of who we are is shaped by the people closest to us.

This led to thoughtful conversations about the many ways families can look, feel, and function. Students read books, discussed questions such as “What is a family?” and “Is every family the same?”, and shared perspectives from their own experiences. These discussions opened opportunities to highlight the complexity and uniqueness of each student’s family story.

Out of this work grew an idea that has now become a hallmark of the second grade experience: the Family Photo Project. The teachers wondered, What if we took photos of every family and created a visual gallery celebrating who we are? At first, teachers snapped the photos themselves in casual, low-key moments, but coordinating family schedules proved challenging. Eventually, the team brought in a professional photographer, who has now been partnering with the school for several years. The process runs smoothly, and the photos have become a cherished annual tradition.

The family portraits are typically taken in October and displayed in time for Grandparents & Special Friends Day, giving the entire community a chance to see and celebrate the vibrant diversity of Park’s families.

As part of the unit, students also create “family hearts”—artwork that uses drawings and words to highlight what makes their families special, including favorite foods, places, traditions, and the people who matter most. Families are given full freedom to decide who appears in their portrait. Some students have two families; others include extended relatives or important adults in their lives. Every family is honored.

What began as a shift in curriculum has grown into a joyful celebration of community. The Family Photo Project not only highlights the beauty and diversity of Park families but also helps students build connections with one another—seeing familiar faces, sharing stories, and recognizing both common threads and meaningful differences.

Take a peek at the photos on display outside of Grade 2 classrooms—you’ll see a beautiful tapestry of the many families that make up our Park community.

By: Emma Hobart-Sheran, Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications

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