exhibition, teamwork and new challenges

Check out this week’s updates…

spark studio

A Day in the Life of Spark took us to new heights. We have learned so much about each other through the Family and Hero Share Challenges. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. Through the process, we were able to practice how to greet and thank guests, be a good audience, the difference between a question and a statement, how to stay on topic, and, of course, patience. If you did not have a chance to take on the Family Share Challenge, please feel free to let us know via email a date that works for your family. Our goal is to reach 100% participation. We are so close!

Something magical happened throughout the sharing process. A learner shared her badge-making expertise and put us to the challenge. Each learner received a small sheet of paper and was shown how to fold it several ways, thus creating a badge. We decided to make it our “Super Power Badge”. The studio came alive, and couldn’t wait to share. But first, they had 10 minutes to color and make it their own. The chatter was extraordinary. Once finished, they lined up one by one to reveal their superpower to the guides and place their badge upon their chest. They were so proud! This is organic learning at its finest. Let’s keep following the child!

It was a bittersweet time as we said goodbye to 3 beautiful, shining Spark Stars. Their exit ticket out of Spark was to write a story with a beginning/setting (3 sentences), middle/conflict (3 sentences), and an end/conclusion (3 sentences). Into the writing room, they went. Next stop was the editing room, where they received feedback, and then to final production. It was thrilling to observe as these learners realized they were running out of time. They experienced what it takes to manage “your” time wisely. There may or may not have been a few tears. The final story literally slid in during the last 5 minutes of the day. Each learner captured our attention with descriptive words, rhyming words, pictures, expressive reading skills, and so much more. Woohoo, they did it!!! It was unanimously decided that they were ready for elementary. We are so proud of their hard work. This is what soaring looks and feels like. Congratulations!! Forever Love You (FLY) :dizzy: Lower Elementary, you are about to be blessed.

Thank you for joining us for “A Day in the Life of Spark.” We hope you were enlightened and feel empowered as we embark on this journey together.

Blessings be over us in unity that we may find peace and comfort in one another.

elementary studio

We did it! Session 2 is in the books.

Math Labs have been an absolute blast! Our learners have been diving deep into the mysteries of numbers and problem-solving. Their enthusiasm is contagious! We've been capturing these exciting moments to understand how they think, guiding them on their learning journeys. The best part? They're not just learning alone – they're engaging with their peers and building a vibrant community where everyone's ideas are celebrated, even when they're different.

In Session 2, our young heroes embarked on an epic quest into the world of aviation. They delved into the wonders of flight, exploring Newton's 3 Laws of Motion. Armed with this knowledge, they designed and crafted their own kites, parachutes, and planes. Thrust, lift, and gravity became their best friends as they soared into the skies of creativity!

As we wrap up Session 2, our learners have become masters of organization and planning. Dream Boards, calendars, Dream Teams, invitations, and letters to their future selves – they've done it all! They've even created Wikipedia pages about themselves, showcasing their unique personalities and achievements.

And let's not forget about Lower Elementary Literacy Circles! Our budding authors have finished their second book and are now crafting brilliant summaries, eagerly working towards their Book Badges. In between, they're honing their Core Skills with Lexia and Zern, becoming well-rounded learners ready to conquer any challenge.

We couldn't be more proud of our learners' enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication. They've transformed our school into a hub of exploration and learning. Here's to their incredible journey, and to many more exciting adventures ahead!

We are looking to the stars as we explore space for our next session! Enjoy your break!

middle school studio

This final week of Session Two, heroes spent much of their energy on making progress in the Haunted House Quest, wrapping up Session One submissions on Journey Tracker, and checking in with Guides. The highlight of the week was a special “Genius Hour” led by Dr. Tyler. Heroes brainstormed the proudest moments of their lives, shared with others, looked for common threads that give a clue to their purpose and personality, and more. It was a beautiful thing to see heroes sharing such positive stories about their lives and watching them uncover more of who they are.

In Art, we discussed and began to plan how we would go about painting and decorating the walls of the Haunted House. We discussed resourcefulness, and we can use creativity and inexpensive materials to create the best product possible. All teams progressed with challenges, and the costuming and makeup team took their field trip to Goodwill as well. Additionally, heroes worked together to create an overall asset list to see what materials heroes may have at home. Thank you in advance!

Since our next Exhibition is not till late October, on our reflection day, heroes had a bit more time for badge approvals, revisions, providing 360 feedback, and more surveying. We enjoyed a bit of team building, celebrated a hero’s birthday, and sent off with some upbeat Shout Outs.

As a note, on week three of Session Three, heroes will deep dive into what Apprenticeships are about. The following two weeks November 6th and 13th will be designated for heroes going out and physically going to do their Apprenticeships. Heroes are encouraged to schedule Apprenticeship hours for those specific weeks in Session Three.

high school studio

As the autumn leaves fall and the days grow shorter, it's time to wrap up another thrilling session of group dynamics, critical conversations, and all things haunted house! Our Middle and High school heroes have spent the past few weeks exploring the eerie world of the haunted house, learning valuable lessons in teamwork, problem-solving, and communication along the way. Returning to school with a newfound sense of camaraderie and a few ghostly tales to share, our heroes are now gearing up for the next adventure. For the remaining two weeks, the haunted house session will continue, offering even more spine-tingling challenges and opportunities to hone their skills.

But the excitement doesn't stop there. The next session for our High school heroes will begin the apprenticeship session, where they will embark on either a 20 or 40-hour apprenticeship in their chosen fields. It's a chance to put their knowledge and abilities to the test in a real-world setting, gaining valuable experience and insights. With two sessions down and many more to go, our heroes are well on their way to becoming the heroes of tomorrow, ready to face any challenge that comes their way. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures on this educational journey!

-Onward!

wellness review

We were visited for wellness this week by Coy Bowles, best known as a guitarist, organist, and songwriter for the three-time Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band. Aside from his work as a professional touring musician, Coy has dedicated himself to being an advocate for social-emotional learning, early childhood education, and teacher appreciation. Coy is a board member of the GA Foundation for Early Care and Learning, is involved with the Georgia Governor's office education initiatives, recently became the Region IV Head Start Ambassador on Early Literacy, and was the 2019 keynote speaker for GAEYC. Coy has used his gift for story telling and song writing to develop children’s books aimed at encouraging emotional awareness and kindness.

Coy curated topics for each studio that were age-appropriate and engaging. With the High School and Middle School learners, Coy spoke to his experience in his professional life and worked to destigmatize counseling, detailing his experiences and the positive benefits he recognizes in his personal relationships and in his creativity. Learners asked for advice in navigating creative blocks and valued all that Coy had to share.

In conversations with Upper Elementary and Lower Elementary, Coy furthered conversations surrounding bullying. He offered terminology for learners to grab when intervening if they notice others being bullied or feeling uncomfortable. Coy mindfully role-played examples where his feelings were hurt and explained the pieces that make up a genuine, heartfelt apology. Learners seemed to understand his examples and will hopefully incorporate them in the studios.

For Spark and Lower Elementary, Coy played a song from his children’s album entitled “I’m Coming Home”. Learners sang along and heard a story of a boy who experiences challenges, but finds his way home literally and metaphorically. Coy gifted the Spark studio with several children’s books he has written that encourage emotional awareness and kindness. We are so thankful he took his time to share with us in such a fun, relatable way!

Session 2: Year 6, Week 9 In Review