Session 2 Begins: Big Questions, Bold Ideas, and New Adventures

spark studio

Hello Spark Families,

What an exciting start to Season 2! This week, our Spark learners blasted off from planet Earth and began an adventure through our solar system!

We discovered that our solar system includes the Sun, eight planets, moons, asteroids, and many other objects in space. As we traveled from planet to planet, learners discovered just how different each one is. Some planets are rocky, while others are made mostly of gas and ice. They have different atmospheres, temperatures, weather, and numbers of moons.

We learned that Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, Jupiter is the largest planet, and Saturn is known for its incredible rings. We also talked about what makes our own planet Earth so special—including the air and water that allow life to thrive here.

One of our favorite facts was discovering just how far away the Sun really is: if we could drive a car from Earth all the way to the Sun at about 60 mph, it would take approximately 177 years to get there! That's one very long road trip!

Shares Begin Next Week!

Next week, we will begin our weekly Shares, a special opportunity for learners to practice speaking in front of their friends while also teaching us something new.

Each week, we will focus on a letter of the alphabet, and learners may bring something from home that begins with that week's letter. It might be something they have made, discovered, collected, or something meaningful to them.

Learners should come prepared to share three interesting facts about their item. These can be practiced verbally at home or written down to help them remember. Please choose items that encourage learning, curiosity, and conversation rather than toys.

Weekly Share Days — Each learner has a designated Share day:

Monday — Claira, Leo, Sammy, Abel, Owen, Felicia
Tuesday — Aspen, Rowen, Kyrie, Ezra, Wynnie
Wednesday — Sekai, Ishvi, Max, Muna, Noah
Thursday — Emilia, Daren, Aria, Marlee, Lily
Friday — Mia B, Harmony, Chloe, Moon, Mia M, Mila

A Few Reminders:

Please send a water bottle each day with your learner.
Also, please make sure your learner has a complete change of clothes at school, along with an art smock or oversized shirt for our wonderfully messy creative projects.

We had a fantastic first week of Season 2, filled with curiosity, discovery, and lots of questions about the world beyond our own. We can't wait to continue our journey through space and see where our Spark explorers travel next!

Have a wonderful weekend!

lower elementary studio

Welcome back for Session 2! We are challenging Heroes to think about how they show up each day. During Core Skills, that means choosing meaningful work, staying focused, managing their time well, knowing when to transition, asking for help when needed, and pushing themselves into their Learning Zone. As teammates, it means encouraging one another, offering help, holding each other accountable with kindness, and contributing to a Studio where everyone can grow.

Just like a simple machine can make a small force more powerful, small daily choices can create a big impact on both individual growth and the strength of the Studio.

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” — Vincent van Gogh

Story Arts: Heroes have a mission to Sell the Story! In Quest, they will build a prototype of a simple machine toy, and in Story Arts, they will learn how marketing can help people understand, remember, and get excited about their idea. This week, using Hot Wheels as a world-class example, teams explored what makes people want a toy, then created Marketing Version 1 with a toy name, tagline, and 30- to 60-second pitch. After gathering peer feedback, they made one improvement and shared their revised work with a Guide.

Civilization: Heroes explored how scientists helped change the way people understood the world by asking questions, making observations, and looking for evidence. They chose from several hands-on activities, including researching scientists like Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Bacon, or Newton; investigating motion; comparing old ideas with new evidence; sketching scientific tools; or acting out a scientist at work. Along the way, they practiced thinking like scientists by asking questions, testing ideas, and noticing how new evidence can change what we believe.

Quest: Heroes launched Simple Machines, Super Toys by exploring how simple machines can change force, direction, distance, and speed. In their Business Fair groups, they investigated ramps, wedges, levers, screws, pulleys, and wheels and axles, then began imagining how one or more of these machines could become part of a future toy. Heroes sketched toy ideas, combined machines, and reflected on what they tested and how those ideas could turn into something fun and functional.

Question of the Week:

What is calling you to grow, try something new, or take on a challenge this Session, and how will you know if you are listening to that call?

Heroes who share what their family discussed with a Guide before Morning Launch will earn 25 Work Plan points.

upper elementary studio

We kicked off a new session this week with several exciting launches across the Studio!

Quest: Toys in Motion

In Quest, we launched our new Toys in Motion Quest. Learners are becoming toy designers, engineers, and entrepreneurs as they work in teams to design their own physics-based toy that they can eventually sell at Exhibition, which will serve as our practice round for the upcoming Business Fair.

This week, learners explored seven important physics concepts that could be incorporated into a successful toy. From there, they began brainstorming, planning, and designing their ideas with their teams. The goal isn't just to make something that works—it is to create something that people will actually want to buy. If learners create a successful toy during our practice round, they'll have the opportunity to sell their creations at the Business Fair!

Story Arts: Myths, Stories, and Our Roots

In Story Arts, we began our exploration of mythology. We started by asking why mythology matters in the first place. Myths aren't simply old stories—they have helped cultures explain the world, pass down values, and shape the way people understand themselves and their place in the world.

We realized that while many of us know famous myths from Greece, Rome, or other well-known traditions, few of us know the myths of our own ancestors. So we're taking some time to explore those roots. Learners are discovering a myth connected to their ancestry and preparing to tell that story orally to their peers.

We'll then take the next step: using mythology as inspiration to create our own myths and fantasy worlds.

Civ: The American Revolution

In Civ, we dove into the American Revolution and the ideas that helped inspire it. Building on our earlier exploration of the Enlightenment and John Locke, we examined the reasons the colonists gave for revolting against the British king.

Learners received eight reasons for the Revolution and worked in groups to turn those historical events into short skits. They then performed their skits for the rest of the Studio.

It was amazing to see how effectively some groups were able to communicate complicated historical events through playacting. Instead of simply memorizing reasons for the Revolution, learners had to understand what happened well enough to demonstrate it, making the history much more concrete and memorable.

Learner Council

We also elected our new Learner Council this week! Our new representatives will have an important role in helping communicate learner ideas, concerns, and suggestions and making our Studio an even stronger community.

It was a busy first week, and we're already off and running for Session 2!

middle school studio

It has been wonderful to have everyone back together for Week 1 of Session 2!

One of our biggest areas of focus this week has been strengthening our community and continuing the important work of learning to live together well. Heroes have spent time revisiting and refining their Studio Contract drafts, thinking carefully about the agreements they want to make with one another and the kind of community they want to help create.

We were especially honored to welcome Fayetteville Mayor Edward J. Johnson, Jr. to The Forest School. Mayor Johnson spent time with each Studio and offered thoughtful feedback as heroes prepared to finalize their agreements and move toward our upcoming Contract Signing Ceremony. His visit gave learners the opportunity to hear from a community leader about responsibility, belonging, and what it means to contribute to something larger than yourself.

Building the Tribe activities have helped bring those conversations to life in a fun way. Our “Reverse Charades” challenge brought plenty of laughter while also asking heroes to communicate, collaborate, take risks, and work together. Excitement is also building for the upcoming whitewater rafting and escape room experiences connected with our very important Contract signing—another chance to strengthen relationships and practice teamwork in a new setting.

Learners met with Tyler, who, as a member of our community, challenged them during Genius Hour to step into the role of mathematical analysts as they explored the cost-effectiveness of Atlanta’s investment in city-wide surveillance systems. Rather than simply solving a math problem, heroes were challenged to use numbers as evidence, consider trade-offs, and think critically about how communities make complex decisions.

In Quest, heroes launched into the first three challenges of Waste to Workshop, our exploration of upcycling, design, and sustainability. A highlight was meeting with our real-world partner, Scraplanta, whose feedback helped learners begin thinking about the needs and constraints of an actual client. We also brought some creativity and humor into the process with our own mini “trash-ion” spirit runway walks!

Civilization began with an exploration of the Reformation period. Heroes studied Martin Luther’s life, ideas, and influences and then used what they learned to create simulated interviews with him. This gave learners a chance to move beyond simply remembering historical facts and instead practice asking questions, considering perspective, and communicating historical understanding.

Those storytelling skills carried naturally into Story Arts, where heroes worked in groups to develop and pitch ideas for original short stories. They practiced capturing an audience’s attention, communicating a strong idea clearly, and giving and receiving feedback before moving deeper into the writing process.

It was a full first week—filled with challenges, meaningful conversations, and plenty of opportunities to practice the skills that help our heroes grow both individually and as a community. We are excited to see where the rest of Session 2 takes us next!

high school studio

Session 2 Is Off to a Great Start!

There’s always something exciting about the beginning of a new session at The Forest School. It’s a fresh opportunity for our Heroes to set new goals, take on new challenges, and dive into new learning. Session 2 is officially underway, and our High School Heroes are off to a fantastic start!

We kicked off the session by getting back into our regular Forest rhythm. During Running Partner time, Heroes set goals for the session, reflected on what they want to accomplish, and reviewed their partner’s work. This time helps Heroes build accountability, practice giving meaningful feedback, and support one another’s growth.

We also jumped right back into our Sacred Core Skills, giving Heroes dedicated time to continue strengthening the foundational skills they need across all areas of learning. It’s been great to see everyone settle back into the routine and get focused on what’s ahead.

Diving Into Civilization

Next, we dove into our Signature Learning Experience for the session: Civilization — Forced Labor. Heroes are exploring a complex and important topic while examining history, systems of power, freedom, work, and human rights. Rather than simply memorizing facts, they are being challenged to ask questions, investigate, discuss, and make connections between the past and the world around them.

And, of course, Session 2 brings a little more independence too! Our Heroes are heading off campus for lunch, giving them another opportunity to practice real-world skills, manage their time, make responsible choices, and enjoy some time together outside of school.

It’s been a fantastic start to a new session, and we’re just getting started! We’re excited to see the goals our Heroes set, the challenges they take on, and all the learning and growth that will happen throughout Session 2. We can’t wait to see what our Heroes accomplish next! And we’re just getting started! We can’t wait to see what our Heroes accomplish next.

Math Lab

Math Lab this week has focused on relearning and strengthening fraction skills. Learners have been practicing simplifying fractions to lowest terms, finding equivalent fractions, and adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators.

In High School Math Lab, learners have also been working with rational expressions (algebraic fractions). They are practicing simplifying rational expressions and identifying restrictions on the variable, since a denominator can never equal zero.

IXL Fraction Practice

All Studio levels are working through the IXL fraction lessons identified on the IXL Fraction Skills Progression chart. Learners are welcome and encouraged to work on these skills at home as well!

By the end of Session 2, learners should have completed all of the linked IXL lessons assigned for their Studio level. Once they have completed the required lessons, they should visit Math Lab office hours so I can award them a Math Passport Stamp.

Remember, one of the challenges for earning the Math Lab Badge is collecting 20 Math Passport Stamps by the end of Session 7!

Setting Math Growth Goals

This week, learners also took time to set personal growth goals for math based on their IXL Flex Diagnostic scores from Session 1. I encouraged learners to record their goals in their Math Portfolio (notebook).

Ask your learner to show you their math goals! This is a great opportunity to talk with them about what they are working toward.

Session 2: Year 8, Week 6 In Review