Session 6: Year 7, WeeK 34 In Review
Learners Growing, Creating, and Showcasing Their Best Work
spark studio
What an amazing week of growth and learning! Spark Shares has been on fire this week—thoughtful, educational, and, best of all, packed with belly laughs! We just have to share one of the highlights with you: the "Letter of the Week" was "N." Here’s what we learned:
Narwhals, AKA the unicorns of the sea, live in the Arctic waters across multiple continents. (How magical is that? 🦄🐋)
Newts are these tiny, slender amphibians with lungs, a seriously well-developed tail, and they spend their adult lives on land before heading back to the water to breed. Nature, am I right?
And then, when it was the last hero's turn to share, we asked, “What did you bring?” His response? “Nothing.” We were like, “So... you do not have a share?” He grinned and said, “Yep, it’s Nothing! Which is the opposite of something!” 😂😂😂 Talk about a plot twist!
This week’s shares were the perfect blend of fun facts and pure comedy gold!
Our use of the Spelling Bee has been a true highlight, not only helping to strengthen spelling skills but also allowing us to master our phonics rules. It’s been incredible to see the progress everyone has made as we’ve had fun while learning the fundamentals of reading and writing!
A big THANK YOU to everyone who contributed recycled yard materials and items. Your donations were put to good use, and the creations should have come home this week as brand-new art masterpieces! It’s been such a joy to see all the creative ways we’ve turned everyday items into something beautiful and meaningful.
And last but definitely not least, our outdoor picnic lunch to celebrate the arrival of spring was a memory we’ll all cherish for weeks to come. The fresh air, sunshine, and good company made for an unforgettable experience, and it’s a perfect reminder of the joys of being outdoors!
With the shorter week ahead and the exciting Tea Party coming up, we'll be taking a brief pause from our usual shares. Instead, we'll focus on wrapping up this session with a reflection on grace, courtesy, and how we can synergize to bring out the best in each other. It’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and celebrate all the growth we’ve achieved together!
lower elementary studio
It doesn’t seem possible, but we have almost reached the end of Session 6! This week, we worked hard individually and together, stretching our minds and learning what it means to work together well in our combined gifts and strengths. Our Studio is learning to reach beyond earlier goals and push forward into new ones.
In Quest, we are combining our knowledge of land stages, local animals, and wildlife management tools to create a wildlife management plan for our clients, Ms. Denise and Mr. Chris! We can’t wait for you to experience our work at next week’s exhibition!
In Story Arts, we are working on putting our podcast all together—this has definitely been a fun adventure for us, and a big shout-out to our producer, Ms. McKenna, for making sure it all gets done!
In Civ, we have been diving into the major religions of ancient civilizations—which has been a really interesting and enlightening journey for us, and one we hope you are having an opportunity to discuss further at home with your learner.
In language lesson rotations, we have talked about the meanings of words and what it takes to make you care about a character. Our Studio is very into multiplication speed and “color by math” creations, which we have all been thoroughly enjoying.
In Art, Ms. Hannah has helped us find the story and the beauty in what was considered used or no longer of use—be on the lookout for those fun creations to come your way soon!
upper elementary studio
It’s hard to believe, but we’ve already reached the final week before Exhibition! Time has truly flown by this session, and our learners have been hard at work preparing to share their growth, discoveries, and creations with you.
This week, the Studio was buzzing with excitement as learners made appointments with other Studios to present their team-building games and run some final rounds of playtesting. It’s been incredible to watch them collaborate, give and receive feedback, and refine their games to be both fun and meaningful.
Meanwhile, our young wildlife experts have been putting their animal knowledge to the test. After weeks of exploring animal adaptations, habitats, and ecosystems, they’re now using what they’ve learned to draft a wildlife management plan for two very special “clients”: Mrs. Denise and Mr. Chris (our amazing Spark and Explore Guides). The duo recently moved into a home surrounded by nature—but they're facing a few challenges with the local wildlife! Learners are applying their understanding of ecology and conservation to help resolve these issues thoughtfully and responsibly.
Be sure to ask your learner about the wildlife problems Mrs. Denise and Mr. Chris are facing—and what their proposed management plan recommends!
We are incredibly proud of the dedication and creativity our learners have shown this session. We can’t wait to celebrate and showcase their hard work with you at Exhibition next week!
middle school studio
Middle School Learners Take on Food Justice, Philosophy, and Public Speaking
Session 6, Week 4
This week in Middle School was packed with powerful moments of advocacy, performance, and critical thinking.
On Monday, learners stepped into the role of policy advisors, drafting persuasive briefs aimed at local governments in areas affected by food deserts and swamps. Their goal? Advocate for real change as part of our ongoing Food Justice League Quest.
Tuesday brought excitement and nerves as we premiered our Story Arts TED Talks. A panel of Upper and High School guests joined us to give feedback and select the top five speakers to present at next week’s off-campus showcase. The pressure was high, and learners stepped up.
Midweek, learners put their journalism skills to the test by writing press releases for their Food Justice League initiatives—an opportunity to share their missions with a broader audience and practice communicating with clarity and purpose.
On Thursday, we turned the Studio into a courtroom. Learners embodied ancient philosophies like Legalism and Confucianism in a spirited mock trial focused on the question of justice. Each team brought passion and perspective to the debate, revealing deep understanding and thoughtful argumentation.
We wrapped up the week on Friday with New Haven—a time for focused practice in preparation for next Wednesday’s Exhibition. It’s shaping up to be an inspiring showcase of everything they’ve learned and created.
From government appeals to philosophical trials, our learners are proving that middle schoolers can tackle big ideas—and do so with heart, creativity, and courage.
high school studio
This week at school was a whirlwind of creativity and dedication as our heroes immersed themselves even more in the filmmaking process. With Story Arts leading the charge, nearly all of our Studio time was dedicated to filming, pushing our heroes to develop essential life skills such as patience, tenacity, resilience, time management, and discipline. For some, these qualities came naturally; for others, they are still in the process of being refined. And for a few, these lessons are just beginning—but what an incredible opportunity to learn them in a safe and supportive environment before stepping into the real world!
The only exception to our full-throttle filming schedule was Wednesday afternoon when we shifted gears to focus on Quest preparation for our upcoming Exhibition. With that milestone approaching, we are determined to finish strong and showcase a product that will reflect all the hard work, dedication, and passion poured into this project. The Exhibition next session promises to be both exciting and rewarding, making all the effort worthwhile.
As we near the final stretch, Monday and Tuesday will be entirely dedicated to Quest to ensure we are fully prepared for Exhibition. Meanwhile, our History of the World pitches have been coming along beautifully, and we wrapped up the week on a high note with strong progress on Friday.
Lastly, spring break is just around the corner! With that in mind, we encourage both heroes and families to push through these last days with focus and determination. Let’s cross the finish line together, stronger than ever!