Building Dream Teams and Real-World Solutions

spark studio

Celebrating Culture
Together, we’ve transformed our Studio into a colorful global hub of discovery, filled with joy, curiosity, and creativity.

Our adventure began with handmade passports. Each hero designed their own and proudly stamped their pages as we “traveled” from country to country. Along the way, we learned to greet each other in new languages and crafted flags for London, Spain, Uganda, Israel, Mexico, and Australia, decorating the Studio with a beautiful patchwork of global pride.

Through games, we discovered how children play around the world. From the lively rhythms of traditional Ugandan music, as we rowed our makeshift boats trying not to fall out, to the playful dreidel spinning of Israel, laughter filled the Studio as we tried each one.

Our culinary exploration brought delicious surprises! We tasted scrumptious biscuits from London, sweet Mexican bread, and rice water while learning about cuisines from Australia, Spain, and London. Family recipes passed down through generations sparked excitement and even inspired a few budding chefs among us. We decided to try cooking for ourselves and made delicious latkes in celebration of Hanukkah. Food became a doorway to understanding how families come together to celebrate in unique ways. Stories shared by families enriched our days, as heroes and their loved ones brought their own traditions to life, connecting us all in meaningful ways.

The freezing cold weather transformed the world outside into a winter wonderland, with frost and ice coating everything in sight. Stepping out into the frigid air, the learners gasped with delight at the sparkling ice everywhere. Filled with excitement and joy, they couldn’t contain their laughter and enthusiasm. They quickly teamed up, collaborating on fun activities to make the most of this magical moment together. We hope it snows this year!

The journey has been nothing short of magical. Together, we’ve learned that while the world is vast and diverse, the threads of love, laughter, and connection weave us all together. Stay tuned as our passports guide us to new destinations, and thank you for being part of this colorful journey! 🌍✨

Letter for the Week: ‘T’

Upcoming:

Thursday, December 19, from 8:30–10:00: Spreading Joy Around the Neighborhood.
We will walk to the shops at Trilith to spread love and joy by singing a few festive songs. We will need 3–4 parent volunteers to join us on our journey to help keep everyone safe. If you are interested, please let us know.
We will play a fun book exchange game on Thursday, December 19. Please provide a wrapped, new or slightly used book for your learner to join in the fun and wear your favorite pajamas!

lower elementary studio

When we asked our learners how this week went, here are some of their enthusiastic responses:

"Wonderful, spontaneously good!" — Conoly
"GARGANTUALLY GREAT!!" — Calvin
"Spectacular-LARRY-ly AMAZING!" — Heather

Their words perfectly capture the energy and excitement in the Studio this week!

This week has been a whirlwind of creativity and collaboration! Here are some highlights:

The Puzzle Room: Learners cracked hidden messages and created their own secret codes using emojis. These activities allowed heroes to dive into problem-solving and teamwork while exploring the power of symbols and language.
Ancient Languages: We explored ancient forms of communication, such as Egyptian hieroglyphs and cuneiform, and compared them to modern-day symbols like emojis. Learners made fascinating connections between the past and present, sparking curiosity about how humans have shared ideas throughout history.
Autobiography Writing: In Story Arts, learners continued their journey of crafting personal autobiographies. They are discovering the power of storytelling while reflecting on their unique experiences and aspirations.
Celebration: Our learner-created tumbling club came to a close this past week! If your learner is interested in participating next year, please fill out this form!

Looking Ahead:

We are excited to see you next week for our exhibition! Please remind your learners to invite their dream teams!

upper elementary studio

1. Dream Teams: Building Support Networks for Your Learner

Dream Teams are a crucial part of our learners’ growth. Each year, learners evaluate and build their Dream Teams – a network of supportive adults who inspire, mentor, and guide them toward their goals.

These adults could be experts in a field your learner is passionate about, mentors who help them explore their interests, or community members who offer valuable insights. While family members are often part of this network, we encourage learners to expand their Dream Teams beyond family to create a broader support system.

How can you help?

Talk with your learner about their interests and goals.
Help identify potential adults in your network who could provide mentorship or insights.
Encourage your learner to reach out and form these meaningful connections.

We’ve created a video explaining Dream Teams in more detail – please take a moment to watch it with your learner.

2. Secret Santa Reminder

If your learner is participating in Secret Santa, the gift exchange is happening on Wednesday, Dec. 18! Here are the details:

Learners used an online platform to organize the exchange, which assigned each learner a recipient and provided the option to create a wishlist.
The spending limit is $20.
The wishlist is just a suggestion – you do not have to purchase something from it.

If you have any questions or need more details, please reach out to Gage ASAP.

3. Weekly Check-In Forms

A reminder that learners should be filling out their weekly check-in forms and meeting with their guide afterward. These check-ins are shared with parents and guides and are essential for:

Tracking progress.
Setting clear and achievable goals.
Helping learners develop accountability and self-reflection skills.

Some learners have been missing this step, so please discuss the importance of regular check-ins with your learner. These reflections benefit their growth and ensure they stay on track.

4. Weekly Update

This week, our learners have been hard at work during our Collaboration Quest! Here’s what we’ve been up to:

Cracking codes and solving puzzles using ciphers like Morse Code, Pigpen, and more.
Diving into history as Egyptologists by translating hieroglyphics using the Rosetta Stone.
Exploring ancient Egyptian mythology.
Making our own papyrus paper.

In Story Arts, learners are focusing on developing their Dream Teams to build the support networks that will help them succeed.

Thank you for your continued involvement and support!

middle school studio

Save the Dates!

December 13th: If your learner is participating in the Secret Santa exchange, they should bring a gift valued at $10–$20. Learners have posted a slideshow with gift ideas and likes on the Bulletin Board in JourneyTracker.
December 18th: Join us for the Middle School Exhibition at 4:30 PM! This special event is a celebration of our heroes' creativity, growth, and teamwork. They’ll enjoy celebratory snacks with their Dream Teams while hosting meetings and sharing their incredible progress. To make this event truly special, we’d love your help! Please consider signing up to bring an appetizer, dessert, drink, or paper goods. Food can be sent with your hero on Wednesday morning or brought directly to the MakerSpace during the Exhibition. Important Reminder: To keep everyone safe, please avoid items containing shellfish, fish, peanuts, or tree nuts. Sign up here to contribute!
December 20th: Participate in our Virtual Learning Day and share your feedback on Mid-Action Reviews.

Here’s a sneak peek into the incredible learning adventures leading up to the Exhibition:

Civ: Analyzing Historical Perspectives

Learners sharpened their critical thinking skills by analyzing a fascinating historical document—a bad review of a coppersmith! This sparked discussions about how narratives shape our understanding of the past.

Quest: Building Towers and Resilience

In Quest, learners researched famous towers, designed their own using paper and tape, and tested them to hold different weights. After receiving feedback, they created improved versions, practicing the vital skills of flexibility and responsiveness.

Mid-Action Reviews: Sharing Progress

Our heroes created Mid-Action Review presentations in creative formats such as posters, slides, videos, newspapers, and books. These will be shared during our Virtual Learning Day on December 20th. Parents, please provide your feedback here after listening to help our heroes grow!

Story Arts: Crafting the Future

Learners continued polishing their résumés and drafting personalized cover letters tailored to apprenticeship opportunities. This hands-on preparation is setting them up for real-world success!

We can’t wait to celebrate our learners' creativity, growth, and hard work with you! Thank you for being such an essential part of their journey.

See you soon!

high school studio

This week, our Studio focused on Quest, diving into an exciting partnership with the Trilith Foundation to tackle a real-world problem! The energy has been incredible as students engage in activities that blend creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Our journey began with deep research to uncover the intricacies of the problem at hand. Students embraced the challenge by conducting empathy interviews in their communities, gaining invaluable insights into the perspectives, needs, and challenges of those most affected. These interviews have not only refined their understanding but also highlighted the importance of listening and connecting on a human level.

Adding to the excitement, we had the privilege of meeting with experts in the field, who shared their knowledge and provided guidance for the next steps. These sessions have empowered students to think critically about their approach while fueling their enthusiasm to innovate and find solutions.

Next week, the adventure continues as students begin to synthesize their findings and take their first steps toward designing impactful solutions. We can’t wait to see their creativity come to life as they tackle this real-world challenge head-on! Stay tuned for updates as the quest unfolds!

Session 4: Year 7, WeeK 19 In Review