Space Travel, Reality Checks, and Homecoming: Year 5 - Week 13 In Review
The “Game” of Life
Check out this week’s updates below…
spark studio
We are preparing for blast off to the moon and look forward to sharing our creations with you at our “To Infinity and Beyond” flight on Wednesday evening from 5:30-6:30 pm by the lake in Trilith. We will gather together to give thanks for one another and share in the joy of learning. We may even take the moon for a walk!
Our mornings are filled with daily affirmations which build our characters to understand who we are in this great big world. It ties nicely into our overarching question: "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" This makes for a great dinner conversation.
Conferences are coming to an end, and it’s been a pleasure conversing and getting to know everyone better. Team work makes the dream work. If you have not had a chance to sign-up, please do so here.
elementary studio
It’s unbelievable that session 3 is almost a wrap. This week elementary heroes continued to explore the continent of Asia and learned about the Mughal Empire in India. They recreated the Taj Mahal using the ancient Indian art form of Batik.
Heroes began to work as real journalists as we continued to work on our Newspapers during Story Arts, They had the chance to interview guides and heroes throughout the school and are learning so much about being a good journalist, the difference between fact and opinion, and how difficult it can be to remove yourself from a story you are closely tied to.
Our finance quest has been one for the books! Heroes are realizing that they may not want to grow up as fast as they once thought. Upper Elementary heroes are moving from learning to budget to planning for their futures. Heroes played a life-sized version of "The Game of Life,” and realized that their career choices might not cover their lifestyle (Reality Check!).
Lower Elementary heroes moved from learning about money to starting a business. They are eagerly planning their entrepreneurial takeovers by creating business model canvases. We studied long-lasting companies like Chick-fil-A, Lego, and Nintendo to see how their models supported business growth even through tough times. Our youngest heroes are learning to design business plans to facilitate success in the face of anything!
We are making a strong push as we head towards our last week before the holiday break!
middle school studio
“Focus on the possibilities for success, not on the potential of failure.”
We are closely approaching the end of Session 3 on November 17. With that being said, heroes are focusing on the end of this session by making sure they are well prepared for Exhibition. Quest has been very informative for the learners, and they are coming to a close with their Financial Literacy Quest presentations. As the week ended, heroes came up with skits to showcase their financial learning for Exhibition on November 16. Our aim is to make this exhibition fun and interactive, engaging and exciting parents, grandparents and experts. Furthermore, November 16 is also Grandparents’ Day and an invitation to all learners’ Dream Teams. This year each hero completed challenges through YouScience! These results will be an important part of the Exhibition process because it gives learners an opportunity explain their interest and career choices.
Throughout the week, Guides had check-ins with some heroes who are Nesting based on their Badge Plans. Heroes have been working very hard in progressing on Khan and Red Ink during the scheduled time blocks. Silent core skills have been a success! We want to make sure that all learners are on track and/or ahead in their Badge Plans. Remember, Math Help Desk is still in full effect and offered to the entire school for support when learners are having a hard time.
During Story Arts this week, heroes learned what a cover letter is and their the importance in obtaining jobs! In addition, heroes finalized their college essays. There is one more week in this session and heroes are excited to be with their families for this holiday season. See you next Wednesday!
high school studio
Exhibition time is almost here! November 16 is around the corner, and we are excited to bring new energy. Learners are truly getting a sense of reality. They are assigned various incomes and unexpected life curve balls and are having to work together to think through solutions. Again, they are assessing liabilities versus assets, wants versus needs, creating budgets, the importance of saving, exploring different careers, and understanding the many steps necessary to get into their careers. Parents, get ready to be involved with Exhibition this session for you will challenge their financial expertise!
Storytelling this week focuses on teaching learners how to conduct interviews and tell a compelling story, one that communicates the interviewer’s empathy towards the interviewee. As for Civilization, last week heroes completed some research on illegal drugs in America. A part of the research assignment was to find out how to make these drugs legal and the possible effects on citizens in America after the drugs are legally accessible to them. Next week in Civilization learners will host a debate on keeping these drugs illegal versus legalizing said drugs, all based on the information found in their research.
Last, but not least, parents, friends, and family, remember, the Homecoming dance is here! This event will be The Forest School’s first annual homecoming dance! Tickets are on sale now. If you have not purchased your hero’s tickets to the dance, you may want to consider doing so soon. Ticket sales end on Friday!