Exhibition was a success!

Check out this week’s updates…

spark studio

The past week was primarily dedicated to refining the intricate aspects of our Sparkwood Derby event. Our attention was fully engaged in tasks like finalizing team-building activities, adding those last-minute details to our derby cars, and navigating a cascade of emotions. We came to realize that each car possesses its own unique identity, and the concept of shared victory might not always apply universally. However, a significant revelation emerged: our continuous exploration of pathways to foster a community where everyone experiences a profound sense of belonging, security, a thirst for knowledge, and unconditional affection.

In this development phase, the young learners are willing to express their sentiments and feelings openly. Yet, an even more remarkable sight is witnessing the eager enthusiasm with which these young minds embrace the art of receiving as they collaboratively brainstorm solutions that contribute to the enriching tapestry of our Studio's culture.

“We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and mystery.” H.G Wells

While it's essential for everyone to find moments of rest and rejuvenation, the realization that five weeks of our school calendar year have swiftly elapsed can feel quite overwhelming. Our sincere aspiration is that each individual can relish and seize every moment, recognizing its inherent beauty.

lower elementary studio

The first Exhibition of the 2023-24 school year is in the books!

This session the Lower Elementary Studio dove headfirst into the realm of numbers, patterns, and problem-solving in our Math Labs. But it's not just about solving equations and memorizing formulas; it's about embracing diverse perspectives and sharing them with the community. Curiosity fuels their interactions as they eagerly uncover the myriad ways their peers approach mathematical challenges.

The realm of adventure and discovery recently concluded at our first Exhibition with a triumphant finish. The Phoenix 500 Pinewood Derby was no ordinary event; it was a culmination of weeks of hard work, dedication, and the cultivation of physics skills. Our heroes embraced challenges that pushed their limits, engaging in races that weren't just about speed but also strategy. Exhibition was a grand showcase of their prowess as they demonstrated their abilities to their families and peers.

As the final note of the Exhibition resonated, it marked not just the end of an event but the beginning of an exciting anticipation for Session 2. The collective excitement of learners and families alike is a testament to Quest's impactful learning experiences, promising even more thrills, learning, and growth in the sessions to come. Next session, heroes should be ready to take flight as we explore physics in the next session’s “Flight School.”

Beyond numbers and quests, the magic of literacy weaved its spell in our Studio's Literacy Circles. Imagination jumped off the pages as heroes continued their journey through the pages of their Flat Stanley books. Reading is more than a solitary endeavor here; it's a shared experience that ignites discussions, connections, and a deeper understanding of narratives.

The completion of their literary journey isn't just another chapter; it's the creation of their very first chapter book summary. This process encapsulates their ability to distill complex narratives into concise, impactful summaries—a valuable skill inside and outside the classroom.

And let's not forget the core skills that shape well-rounded learners. Between literary explorations, our heroes began to engage with tools like Lexia and Zern to strengthen their foundational skills. These activities complement their adventures, ensuring that they develop a love for reading and a strong academic foundation.

As we eagerly await the next chapters of our learning odyssey, one thing is certain: the future is bright and brimming with possibilities in our dynamic Studio.

upper elementary studio

Here’s to another exciting blog post from our Upper Elementary! This session we took a dive into the world of physics by taking an unconventional approach – through the exhilarating realm of racing cars. Buckle up as we briefly summarize this session and how learners are revving up their understanding of physics properties on the race track.

When you think about racing cars, the first thing that probably comes to mind is speed. But did you know that behind every high-speed maneuver and hairpin turn lies a complex interplay of physics properties? That's right! From acceleration to friction the world of racing cars is a hands-on classroom for exploring these scientific concepts.

Race cars aren't just built for speed but also for aerodynamics. Learners dove into the world of air resistance and its effect on a car's speed. Studying shapes and experimenting with different designs uncovered how engineers minimize air resistance to boost a car's performance.

As our learners experienced the thrill of racing cars, they're also gaining a profound appreciation for the physics properties that make these feats possible. Through hands-on experiments, observation, and analysis, students develop a deep understanding of concepts like acceleration, friction, momentum, and more. The race track has become a dynamic classroom, where the roar of engines and the rush of wind are accompanied by the discovery of scientific principles that govern motion and mechanics. So, the next time you hear the engines roar, remember that there's more to those racing cars than meets the eye – there's physics in every heart-pounding moment!

middle school studio

What a week! We had a blast at our first Exhibition. Heroes facilitated team-building activities with parents, and it was loud and hilariously fun. From baking challenges to music to acting games, heroes designed these stations to jumpstart connection between parents. We were so impressed with how engaged and excited the parents were. We saw parents exchanging numbers, laughing, and clapping for one another. At the end, we had two heroes share highlights from the Quest along with photos from Session One, and we presented a Session award to one hero and one parent for displaying the core values of “learning to do” and “learning to be.”

The day after Exhibition, heroes discussed what they liked, wished, and wondered about the Exhibition and reflected with their groups. Then we read the results from our parent surveys and shared what they made us think. Heroes completed online surveys about the content of Quest, Civ, and Story Arts and then provided feedback on four other individuals in the Studio through our 360 Feedback Surveys on Journey Tracker. We also took some time to do our first Circle, a signature learning experience focused on working through conflict in the Studio. We plan to do many of these throughout the year with more regularity. Learning to live together is an ongoing process, and it is especially challenging for Middle School heroes because of the shifting social dynamics and their developmental stage. We have lots of room to grow in how we live together, but we also have a lot to celebrate. We presented eleven “mini awards” to individuals who exemplified Forest School values such as empathy, trust, reflection, and goal-setting. We are packing up for break with full hearts and excitement for what’s next.

high school studio

“Don’t judge each day, but the harvest that you reap, but by the seeds that you plant”. - Robert Louis Stevenson.

After reviewing badge plans, knocking out Quest, linguistically challenging thought processes, and beginning to build a strong Studio culture, session 1 is a wrap! This session was entrenched with truly learning what it means to be a self-directed learner through breaking down the 4 pathways to becoming a Self-Directed Learner: building their desire to learn, becoming resourceful, learning to take initiative, and finally persisting through it all. This will be one of the main focal points throughout the entire year. In addition to filling mathematical gaps, and of course, rocking out their badge plans! As Robert Stevenson references above, it’s about the seeds that we plant to be able to see a robust harvest in the end. Thanks for a great session!

—Onward

wellness review

Wellness workshops concluded hygiene studies this week by opening our egg experiments and observing our mold growth on bread handled by “clean” hands! Eggs were soaked in water, vinegar, Gatorade, coke, and coffee. Learners loved seeing what these different drinks do to the eggshells and possibly our teeth! The bread mold growth became a competition in the High school, middle school, and Upper Studios to see which team grew the least mold after vigorously washing their hands with soap and warm water. Winners were excited to receive a popsicle as a reward.

We welcomed wellness expert Anne Chirico, a Dental Hygienist with Peachtree Pediatric Dentistry. Ms. Anne shared powerful information about the consequences of not maintaining proper dental hygiene with the HS and Middle Studios alongside pictures as evidence. The topic of vaping was discussed with disturbing descriptions of the telltale effects the dentistry has observed. Learners were shocked to hear about some of the symptoms related to vaping and had thoughtful, curious questions. We took this opportunity to delve further into the topic of hygiene equity and the importance of recognizing what a privilege it is that so many of us have access to clean water, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash. We discussed what it could look like for families who may not have access to these resources and how important it is for us to be kind and understanding and not judge or admonish others for their hygiene practices. Seeing how respectful, kind, and sensitive our Forest learners are is truly amazing!

Ms. Anne visited Spark, Lower, and Upper Elementary Studios to review proper hygiene practices through demonstration with tooth, toothbrush, and floss models. These learners came up with thoughtful questions and shared some of their experiences with the dentist! Ms. Anne explored a game with our spark learners by having four learners don a pillowcase to become a “tooth” and having one learner help her with a large piece of floss! The spark learners loved this game, and all took turns becoming a “tooth” after showing such respectful, quiet listening. She sent each group home with goody bags and a chart to track their brushing and flossing… they’re so excited to share all they’ve learned with you!

Session 1: Year 6, Week 5 In Review