Session 3: Year 6, Week 14 In Review
sound baths, space and icing
Check out this week’s updates…
spark studio
If we can remember one thing, let’s remember this from Charlie Chaplin, “A day without laughter is a day wasted”. If you need laughter, the Spark Studio is where it’s at on any given day. Our hero “sound” shares have been captivating. The bubbling exuberance and creativity are emerging effortlessly. Sharing is fun, so we decided to close out the session with a “Friendsgiving” since we cannot be together on Thanksgiving. It was unanimous that we ordered pizza and baked our dessert. But first, we had to figure out how, where, when I wonder, I wish, what if? Do you think we accomplished our goal? Could it become a “Spark” tradition? Ask your hero for details. Trust us, they have tales to tell.
Then, Art added the icing to our cake. Let’s make turkey hats and wear them to Friendsgiving! The experience was so funny. One thing led to another, and we became true turkeys, a panda, sweet turkeys, feather weather-changing turkeys, glued-on everything turkeys because there was no other way, thankful note-writing turkeys, and the list goes on. Are you laughing yet? If not, why? The saying must be true, “you had to be there.”
Have you ever experienced a sound bath? Our wellness journey has taken us down a soothing path. To be still and quiet feels quite nice. A new door has opened.
Our light shines ever so bright through laughter, fun, excitement, tears, sickness, challenges, and frustrations. We are becoming a powerhouse through the pillars we stand upon. We are living proof of what it takes to “Learn to Be,” “Learn to Do,” Learn to Learn,” and Learn to Live Together”. Taking a moment to pause has been enlightening and given us the purpose to truly dive deep into who we are as a Studio and how we connect. Conferences have been engaging and inspirational as we continue stacking the stones to build a solid foundation. If you have not had a chance to set up your conference, please reach out through email. We are available most mornings from 8:00-8:30, 8:30-9:00, or 2:30-3:00.
Shalom
Lower elementary studio
Greetings, Quest enthusiasts! As we wrap up our last session before the much-anticipated Thanksgiving Break, the energy at Quest is nothing short of electrifying! In our final push, we proudly put the finishing touches on our Exhibition: Get Ready to Launch. Picture the excitement as learners and families delved into the wonders of the solar system, explored rockery, and marveled at the creation of Moon Phases. The collaboration between Lower and Upper Elementary during New Haven and Exhibition was truly heartwarming, showcasing the collective effort in understanding the fundamentals of our universe. Thanks to the incredible drive of the Learners, over half of the Studio is ahead on their coursework. At our school, we celebrate mastery over completion, and I've observed tremendous growth in our Heroes' capacity for deep learning. A heartfelt thank you to the parents for your consistent support – your presence is truly valued and appreciated!
But that's not all – Reflection Day took center stage, becoming a pivotal moment in every learner's Hero Journey. The feedback received was nothing short of amazing, emphasizing the growth in collaboration and communication skills. As a cherry on top, our learners engaged in a 360 Survey, providing constructive feedback and fostering a culture of continual improvement. As we bid adieu for the break, the spirit of accomplishment and unity lingers. Wishing everyone a joyous Thanksgiving, filled with gratitude and the warmth of shared knowledge!
upper elementary studio
Session 3 has concluded! In just a few short weeks, our heroes excelled in cosmic Quest challenges, showcasing impressive knowledge at the exhibition. Thanks to the incredible drive of the learners, over half of the studio is ahead on their coursework. At our school, we celebrate mastery over completion, and I've observed tremendous growth in our heroes' capacity for deep learning. Thank you to the parents for your consistent support – your presence is truly valued and appreciated!
middle school studio
In Story Arts, heroes put on their best news anchor voices this week and recorded or performed a scientific news report. After summarizing and synthesizing scientific articles, they chose a story, wrote headlines, and created a script for a broadcast. Heroes said they liked it so much that they wished they had more time! That’s the kind of learning that excites us as Guides.
In Civilization, heroes created a Time traveler’s journal after tackling the Westward expansion. They gave us the vision of experiencing it in person through journal entries as if they were witnesses to this historical era. Many heroes used creative means to distress the journals and create cool textures without being prompted.
In Quest, heroes continued to progress through the phases of Apprenticeships whether through cold calls, emails, logging hours, or doing further research. We also hosted two smaller group circles in which heroes focused on working through the current conflict and included people still finding their place. The Guides were blown away by the honesty, vulnerability, and understanding that heroes displayed to one another. We are so lucky to be in a school that values this type of social-emotional learning.
We also enjoyed several launches from heroes this week! From animal rescue to educational TV shows to debate, we heard a variety of topics from heroes of different grade levels. The process of how to build a launch is detailed on the Bulletin Board in Journey Tracker. Then, heroes write their launch and send us their launch. We give them revision suggestions, and then they revise until they are ready, and we place them on the schedule.
We wrapped up the session with team building, extra badge approval time, an overall reflection on the learning experiences from that session, and additional feedback. After soliciting hero feedback on the Council, we also had heroes vote on nominees for Council for the next session. We sent heroes off with another session called “mini awards,” in which we recognized heroes that exemplified the Forest School values of learning to be, learning to do, and learning to live together. Heroes were recognized with a speech, a certificate, and a treat. We love celebrating the growth we have seen in heroes, and it compels us to craft learning experiences and schedules that promote further progression, personal growth, belonging, and fun!
high school studio
This week marked a celebration of practical excellence as our heroes showcased exceptional skills and commitment during their practical sessions. Almost every hero participated, contributing to an atmosphere of enthusiasm and achievement that was truly commendable.
From clear and confident communication to positive interactions with younger learners, our heroes demonstrated their academic prowess and nurturing spirit. The collaborative environment fostered relationships beyond the classroom, creating a supportive community where every learner feels valued and encouraged.
Many of our remarkable heroes also ventured into apprenticeships across diverse industries such as engineering, art, fashion, technology, and graphic design. These hands-on experiences provide invaluable insights, shaping well-rounded individuals prepared for the challenges of the real world. This week's achievements were a testament to academic success, the strength of our school's community spirit, and the diverse talents our heroes bring to the table. Everyone enjoy your much-deserved break!
wellness
We closed out our wellness studies for session three by welcoming expert, Malinie Feeney, to share a sound bath with the learners. Malinie has always been passionate about fitness and wellness and after many years of physical exercise incorporated yoga into her practice. Yoga allowed Malinie to connect to herself in a spiritual way, finding a special way to love herself and a natural way to deal with stress and anxiety. Malinie completed her 200-hour multi-style Yoga training with YogaRenew in August 2020 and her 300-hour Vinyāsa Practice in November 2022. Malinie tries to bring an attitude of self-discovery, challenge, and consciousness to every class. This year Malinie began to offer Sound Bath Meditations. Sound Healing is a deeply healing modality and sharing this form of meditation with as many people as possible is Malinie’s goal.
Visiting each Studio, Malinie took the opportunity to explain the benefits of a Sound Bath Meditation as it relates to mental health including anxiety, depression, stress, and feelings of being overwhelmed. Learners made themselves comfortable throughout the Studio and Malinie then performed a Sound Bath Meditation, incorporating many different bowls of different frequencies and different volumes. It was remarkable to witness how peaceful, still, and calm the learners were during this experience. Upon the end of the Sound Bath Meditation, learners were encouraged to share their feelings and experiences. Feelings ranged from calm, peaceful, and happy to stressed, sad, and worried. We discussed the concept of chakras being energy centers within the body and explored how the different energy centers may correspond with different feelings of discomfort. We then discussed how those energies being accessed through the Sound Bath Meditation may bring up feelings related to things being “stuck”, (emotions, things unsaid, memories). It was fascinating to explore what different feelings and energy centers were accessed in each of us. Learners asked Malinie thought-provoking and insightful questions about the science behind Sound Healing and were curious about the tools she brought to share the experience. We are so grateful to have had this experience and feel it was such a powerful close to session three!