Whodunnits, Zines, and Garden Dreams: One Season, Many Adventures

spark studio

A Week of Growth, Grit, and Giving Back
This week in the Studio, we’ve been buzzing with life—quite literally!

Our learners kicked off a new season of curiosity and care by placing eggs into the incubator, eagerly beginning the journey of life science observation. Each day, we’ve talked about development and growth—not just in our eggs, but in ourselves too—especially in our language and spelling skills. As we practiced CVC words and explored blends, we connected the slow, steady process of mastering new words to the silent but powerful transformation happening inside those eggs. Growth takes time—and both chicks and readers are hatching new strengths each day.

We were thrilled to announce that the bees have officially arrived at Trilith Downtown! Our very own Forest School Hive is now buzzing with energy, and learners have the chance to witness nature’s teamwork and productivity up close. What better way to celebrate Earth Day than with real-world care? We rolled up our sleeves to clean up, pick up trash, recycle, and even begin a new compost bin to reduce waste and nourish our garden.

Speaking of gardens—yes, it’s true: seeds have been planted, and with them, our hopes for a beautiful harvest. As we watered and tucked those tiny seeds into the soil, we reflected on what it means to plant with intention—whether it’s vegetables, kindness, or new ideas.

To top it all off, we leaned into Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw, from The 7 Habits of Happy Kids. We’ve “sprung into action,” taking time to care for our minds, bodies, and relationships as we build balance into our daily rhythm.

It’s been a week of nurturing—ourselves, our planet, and all the living things around us. We can’t wait to see what continues to bloom next week.

Finally, Spark families, please be on the lookout for a separate email with information regarding a field trip to the library and park.

LETTER OF THE WEEK: "T"

lower elementary studio

Bugbeth, Butterflies, and Big News!

Bugbeth Takes Shape
Our cast and crew—actors, actresses, prop masters, set designer, and costume team—gathered for a full table read of Bugbeth this week. Energy is high, and the production is picking up momentum. We can't wait for you to see what’s ahead!

Meet Our New Council
Please join us in celebrating our newly elected Council members:
Wyatt, Cash, Ian, Yana, and Conoly!
We’re proud of each learner who stepped up to lead and serve our Studio community.

Quest: Insects & the Environment
In Quest, learners have started investigating the important roles insects play in our world—like pollinating plants and supporting biodiversity. This exploration is deepening our appreciation for the tiny creatures that keep ecosystems thriving.

New Life in the Studio
We’ve welcomed some exciting new guests into our space:

Chicks, now in their second week of development
Caterpillars, soon to begin their transformation into butterflies

Our learners are getting an up-close look at the magic of metamorphosis!

Stay Tuned: Studio Podcast
A new episode of our Studio podcast drops this weekend! Make sure to check it out:
Studio Podcast on Spotify

upper elementary studio

This week, our learners have been hard at work on the community engagement portion of our Pollinator Path Quest.

They’ve written and revised persuasive letters to local businesses, asking for permission to place a small container garden and educational signage outside their storefronts. Through this challenge, they practiced professional writing skills, learned the art of persuasion, and showcased their growing confidence and voice. We are so proud of their efforts!

If you have connections to businesses in the Trilith community, we’d love your help spreading the word! Feel free to share Gage's email with any potential partners.

In Civilizations, we explored the core beliefs of Daoism, an ancient Chinese philosophy centered around living in harmony with the Tao, or “the Way.” Learners reflected on the importance of balance, nature, and non-interference—concepts that felt especially relevant during our outdoor garden planning!

Over in Story Arts, learners continued practicing their writing through the creation of their own zines, acting as young bloggers and journalists. These creative self-publications are filled with their personal reflections, stories, and drawings—a celebration of voice and identity.

Note on School Supplies
As we approach the end of the school year, we are very low on basic supplies like pencils and dry erase markers. Unfortunately, due to repeated misuse and loss, we are no longer able to allocate Studio budget funds toward restocking these items. We need to prioritize our remaining budget for the signature learning experiences in Session 7.

Please make sure your learner brings their own pencils and dry erase markers, labeled and kept in their locker for personal use. Thank you for helping us finish the year strong!

middle school studio

Behind the Scenes of the Whodunnit: Hero Creativity in Action

This week, our Studio was buzzing with imagination, collaboration, and a little bit of mystery.

After several lively pitches and votes, our learners selected a hero-written storyline to serve as the foundation for our Interactive Whodunnit performance. The chosen plot has set the stage for drama, suspense, and plot twists, and we’re thrilled to see where the young writers take it from here.

With the story in place, learners broke into small groups to begin scripting speeches from the perspectives of each suspect. These speeches will be key moments in the final performance—where characters plead their innocence (or not). It’s been incredible to watch learners take ownership of their characters, building rich backstories and motives, all while sharpening their writing and performance skills.

Meanwhile, in Civilization, we explored themes of religious persecution and tolerance during ancient Roman times. Learners were challenged to create historically accurate campaign posters that might have existed in defense of religious minorities. They had to consider: Who was being persecuted, and why? How could they persuade others to see the injustice? This deep dive into history sparked some powerful discussions about belief, justice, and freedom—then and now.

Over in Story Arts, learners turned their attention to the sound of suspense. Using AI music tools, they created musical “hooks” for the mystery’s soundtrack. These short but powerful compositions will help set the mood during key moments of the final performance. It was a hands-on way to explore how sound shapes storytelling—and a chance for learners to experiment with new tech in a creative way.

From writing and research to design and music, this week’s work shows just how dynamic learning can be when heroes lead the way. We can’t wait to share more as our Whodunnit unfolds!

high school studio

Digging into the Past, Powering into the Future!

This week at the Studio, our heroes took a giant leap back in time as we kicked off our newest Quest: Civilization! In true learner-driven fashion, each hero had the exciting opportunity to choose any ancient civilization they were most curious about—from the mystique of ancient Egypt to the brilliance of the Mayans and beyond. The energy was electric as research questions, maps, and mythologies began to take shape. There's something really powerful about giving learners the freedom to follow their interests—especially when it leads to discovering how ancient history still connects to modern life.

While Quest time was full of exploration and wonder, we also put in some serious time toward Core Skills. With the school year beginning to wind down, our heroes are focused and determined, pushing themselves to hit personal goals and end the year strong. We’re seeing some amazing growth and commitment during this season—such a joy to witness!

And of course, what’s spring without a little Studio refresh? We rolled up our sleeves, did some much-needed tidying, and gave our space a fresh, clean energy that matches the momentum of our learners.

As Guides, we’re especially excited about this final Quest of the year—not just because of the content, but because of the curiosity and creativity it's already sparking. We’re also deep in early planning for next year, cooking up ways to launch with a bang right out of the gate! Think bold questions, real-world impact, and experiences that inspire from day one. We can’t wait to see what this community will accomplish next.

Here’s to learning from the past, being grounded in the present, and reaching toward an even brighter future!

Session 7: Year 7, WeeK 38 In Review