A Week of Wonder, Wellness, and Momentum

spark studio

Wellness from Within

This week in Spark, we started by reflecting on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream—and what it can look like in our own lives today. To bring this idea to life, we did a simple (and very fun!) egg demonstration. At first, we noticed that the eggs looked different on the outside. But once we cracked them open, we discovered something powerful: they were the same on the inside. It led to a meaningful Studio conversation about how people may look different, but we’re all made of the same things—and we all deserve to be treated with kindness and equality.

We left the week with big questions on our hearts: How do we show up in the world? How can we continue MLK’s dream within ourselves to promote peace?

We also focused on caring for our bodies with Coach Jamal, who guided us through what it means to nourish ourselves so we feel good and our minds stay clear, focused, and ready to learn. He reminded us of the importance of drinking water, and our learners proudly shared that they’re tracking their daily water intake. Some even took on a bold taste test challenge—trying beet juice made with beets, carrots, cucumbers, ginger, lemon, and Granny Smith apples. The reviews were… mixed! We learned that we should eat natural foods in a rainbow of colors each day for the needs of our health. Comparing Skittles to natural foods was a fun realization. Gracias to Ms. Ivana for sharing and comparing the rainbow.
At lunchtime, we practiced something new: using positive conversation starters. We talked about how our words can “feed” us too—negativity can weigh us down, while kindness and encouragement can help us feel strong. Try it at your dinner table this week!

One of the most beautiful moments came when a learner observed the Studio, developed an idea, and created a sight word challenge for the week. She even helped write the schedule with a Guide. Her leadership sparked excitement, and now multiple learners are practicing sight words with purpose and joy.
We can’t wait to see what’s ahead as we continue feeding our minds, bodies, and souls.

lower elementary studio

What a thoughtful and inspiring week it has been in Lower Elementary! This week, learners took a moment to pause and reflect on the life, impact, and sacrifice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When asked to describe him in one word, they offered responses such as leader, sacrificing, brave, visionary, strong, encouraging, and courageous. Hearing their thoughtful reflections reminded us of how deeply they appreciate his character and the powerful legacy he left behind.

In Civilization, heroes explored constellations and discussed how people across cultures have used the stars to navigate and track time. They then created either a lunar calendar or a visual model of the moon’s phases, deepening their understanding of celestial patterns and cycles.

In Story Arts, heroes acted out Peace Table scenarios while peers observed body language, facial expressions, and tone. This activity built awareness of nonverbal communication and encouraged learners to reflect on how these cues can support—or sometimes hinder—respectful problem-solving.
In Quest, learners investigated the pH balance of common kitchen ingredients, including salt, honey, baking soda, white vinegar, and milk. Through hands-on testing and comparison, they explored what it means for a substance to be acidic, basic, or neutral, making clear connections to everyday cooking and food choices.

As part of our ongoing reflection, heroes are invited to share feedback for Guides at the end of each one-on-one check-in. One learner captured the experience by saying, “It’s like having the perfect seat in the movie theater, not too high up and not too close, just perfect.” Moments like this remind us of the importance of listening to learner voice and creating spaces where reflection, trust, and growth can thrive.

On Friday, the Studio celebrated finishing our first read-aloud of the school year—482 pages of excitement and adventure! Be sure to ask your learners about Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky!

Overall, it has been a week filled with curiosity, meaningful connections, and thoughtful reflection. We are proud of how our heroes continue to grow as learners, leaders, and compassionate members of our Studio community, and we look forward to the discoveries ahead!

upper elementary studio

Making, Meaning, and Momentum

Week 3, Session 5 was one of those weeks where a lot of threads came together—history, art, food, writing, and reflection—all grounded in real curiosity and growing ownership from the learners.

Civ: Southeast Asia, Belief Systems, and Stone Stories

In Civ this week, we continued our exploration of Southeast Asia, focusing on how Buddhism and Islam spread across the region. Learners examined how new emerging beliefs, missionaries, and cultural exchange—rather than conquest—played major roles in shaping belief systems across places like Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia.

Story Arts: Lyrics, Technology, and Creative Momentum

Story Arts was buzzing this week. Every learner now has two verses and a chorus written for their song—huge progress. We talked a lot about structure, repetition, and how lyrics can carry both story and emotion.

We were also lucky to have Daniel Bashta, a professional musician, join us as an expert. He introduced learners to Suno, a new technology that can generate music demos when you input lyrics and creative ideas. The room absolutely lit up. Learners were eager to hear their words transformed into songs, experimenting with genre, mood, and style. It sparked great conversations about creativity, authorship, and how tools can support (but not replace) human imagination.

Quest: Gnocchi, Economics, and Real-World Constraints

On Friday, Quest took a deliciously real turn. We began grappling with our core problem: rising ingredient prices. Learners analyzed different pasta sauces—red sauce, pesto, and Alfredo—to determine which would be the best pairing for gnocchi, keeping both flavor and cost in mind.

That afternoon, we walked to Enzo, where learners learned how to make gnocchi from Executive Chef Andrea Montobbio. Watching learners connect their earlier analysis to the actual making of food was powerful. This wasn’t abstract math or economics—it was decisions, tradeoffs, texture, timing, and taste. Flour on hands, questions flying, and a lot of “ohhh, that makes sense now” moments.

Forest Walks: Slowing Down and Paying Attention

We’ve continued our Forest Walks, and the attending group has been deeply engaged. Learners are beginning to form a real relationship with the land—so much so that they’ve asked about meeting outside of school to plan forest projects. Ideas include building small dwellings from fallen branches and continuing to map the area.

So far, learners have identified and named beeches, oaks, and loblolly pines, practicing observation and stewardship alongside collaboration.

Reading Groups: Curiosity Across Genres

More learners opted into reading groups this week. Together, we read articles about Mothman and The Future of Sports in America, sparking curiosity-driven discussions and strong note-taking.

A reminder: for nonfiction badges, four articles with main idea and detail notes count as one book, and many learners are beginning to take advantage of that pathway.

Launches: Reflection, Fear, and Focus

This week’s launches covered a wide range of ideas:
• Facing fears
• The deep ocean
• How to help others without giving away answers
• A reflection on Studio progress data for Zearn

That last launch was especially impactful. Seeing their own data prompted many learners to realize they needed to kick it into gear, and we’re already seeing shifts in focus and urgency as a result.

Writing Group: Session 6 Play Progress

Learners in the writing group continued drafting our Session 6 play.
• Scene 1 is complete
• Scene 2 is underway

The shift from planning to drafting has been exciting—ideas are becoming dialogue, characters are finding voices, and learners are learning what it means to revise collaboratively.

Call for Materials

As we head deeper into our cooking and food challenges, we are looking to borrow:
• Stovetops (camping or electric)
• Pots and pans
• Spatulas

All items will be returned at the end of the session.

Several families have also volunteered ice cream machines, which we would gladly accept—thank you so much for that generosity!

middle school studio

This week in Middle School, learners have been stretching their creativity, sharpening their thinking, and practicing what it looks like to build something meaningful from the ground up—whether it’s a story, a scientific design, or a historical argument.

Story Arts: Comics & Graphic Novels

In Story Arts, learners kicked off a new creative challenge focused on comic and graphic novel storytelling. Working in teams, they began developing original story ideas and learning how professional comics communicate action, emotion, and tension through visuals and dialogue. Instead of jumping straight into final artwork, learners focused on crafting a strong moment in their story and preparing work they can improve with feedback next week.

Quest: Rocket Fuel + Engineering Thinking

In Quest, learners have been thinking like engineers as they begin designing a model rocket fuel plan. They explored different ingredient possibilities, researched what makes rocket mixtures work, and practiced making choices based on safety, feasibility, and performance. They also began applying math and measurement skills to support their design decisions—an important part of building something real, not just imagining it.

Civilization: Empires of the Sea

In Civilization, learners explored a fascinating question from the Middle Ages: Were sea-based empires more successful than land-based ones? They studied maritime trade powers and compared them to major land empires connected to the Silk Road. Through discussion and evidence, learners practiced building strong arguments, listening to different perspectives, and refining their thinking based on what they learned.

Overall, it’s been a week full of collaboration, research, creativity, and big-picture learning. We’re proud of how learners are showing up—working with their teams, thinking deeply, and building Version 1 work that can grow stronger through feedback and revision.

high school studio

This week in the Studio was driven by Hero voice, choice, and ownership, as our Signature Learning Experience — Story Arts — took center stage in a powerful and authentic way.

Story Arts

Story Arts was the heartbeat of the Studio this week. Heroes expressed a clear desire to do more writing, and — most importantly — their voices were heard. In response, this session has focused on the practice of learning how to write a research paper, with an emphasis on skills that extend far beyond the Studio.

Heroes engaged with college-level content, examining real-world examples of research papers ranging from clearly incorrect to nearly perfect. This side-by-side analysis helped Heroes understand expectations, structure, argumentation, and evidence in a way that feels tangible and transferable. The goal is not just to complete an assignment, but to build a toolkit they can carry into college and future professional work.

And last — but most certainly not least — Heroes experienced something truly special: the pleasure and challenge of having a college professor grade four selected Hero papers, providing live feedback and authentic grades. This real-world connection elevated the work, reinforced high standards, and gave Heroes a rare glimpse into what college-level expectations actually look and feel like.

Protected Core Skills Time

Even with the depth of Story Arts work, we maintained our commitment to protected core skills time. This ensured Heroes continued building foundational skills with focus and consistency, reinforcing that rigor and balance can coexist.

Ongoing Check-Ins

Guides continued regular check-ins throughout the week to support goal-setting, reflection, and perseverance. These conversations helped Heroes process feedback, refine their writing goals, and stay grounded in their individual learning journeys.

Running Partners — Revived with Purpose

Running Partners were revived this week in a meaningful and intentional way — co-created by the Heroes themselves. Rather than being imposed, this structure was shaped by Hero input, resulting in stronger buy-in, accountability, and collaboration. This is a powerful example of what happens when systems are built with learners, not for them.

This week exemplified what happens when Hero voice meets high expectations. Heroes leaned into rigorous work, engaged with authentic feedback, and helped shape the systems that support their learning — a combination that prepares them not just for the next badge, but for life beyond the Studio.

Session 5: Year 8, WeeK 20 In Review