Session 5: Year 5 - Week 20 In Review
Session 5 is full of experiences
Check out this week’s updates below…
spark studio
This week our heroes had the opportunity to explore fossils and talk to an expert! It has been an exciting week in the Spark Studio!
elementary studio
“You have to know the past to understand the future.” - Carl Sagan
Ewwww, owl poop!! What better way to learn the fine, delicate skills of a paleontologist than to investigate what bones are found in owl pellets? Elementary heroes got the opportunity to examine owl pellets and make educated guesses about what this owl ate.
So what can you actually determine from bones and fossils? We learned that we could find out where these animals lived when they were alive and sometimes what they looked like! As we looked even more deeply, heroes learned about the chemical reactions that happen in digestion, and what is not absorbed into the body can give us clues into the life of our animals.
In storytelling, heroes stepped into their first writer's room! They've discussed plot and character development and started to think through what television episode they will create. It has been so exciting to hear about the detailed characters they are creating. We've got some future storytellers on our hands!
Civilization has taken us to Europe, where we were introduced to Johannes Gutenberg and his printing press. After multiple attempts, our heroes created some pretty cool printing presses of their own. Now our learners have a deep understanding of why the invention of the printing press was so important and how this invention brought books to the masses!
middle school studio
“Always remember, your focus determines your reality.” — George Lucas
Focus is the defining factor of someone's destiny. Being focused brings so much discipline and consistency. This week we have challenged the learners to get in the grind and really practice the skill of focus. They have continued to put that focus in early in the day by making goals for themselves. The goals they have to make need to be realistic as well as challenging.
Many heroes have set goals in Core skills that have been met, and some still need some work. However, that is okay. Learning how to focus takes time; it's a mental aspect.
We have continued the Story Arts challenges with the Writer’s Room, and let me just say this studio has quite the imagination. Their storylines are very fun, engaging, and dramatic. The learners can’t wait to finish working on their “Pilot “ episode. They are truly becoming writers.
Quest is coming along. We have about a week and a half until Exhibition, and learners are challenged daily. Each day they document their progress and water their plants. One thing the studio is super proud of is the sprouting of their seeds. We had trial and error when it came to their germination and sprouting process. The focus wasn’t there initially, but as Guides, we had High School feedback ( their seeds sprouted quickly), and we went on a Field Trip to a greenhouse where they asked questions and received insight on germination. They asked how different seeds sprout and how to move and maintain their garden.
Furthermore, Civilization is taking a new turn because we have a new Administrator that helps bring the challenges to a deeper level. Heroes will start the first new and improved challenges next week, as well as other challenges. All in all, learners will develop a better understanding of focus, and we will do check-ins for the rest of the session to tackle what they need to meet their goals and maintain a better focus level inside the studio
high school studio
What a whirlwind this week was! Our heroes went on two field trips back to back.
The first field trip was for the City of Fayetteville garden group, and the second trip was for everyone who is designing and building a garden. The City of Fayetteville had the opportunity to go to City hall in Fayetteville and present their pitch to the Mayor of Fayetteville, Fayetteville's city planner, and some Fayette county residents. The heroes did an excellent job!
The presentations were phenomenal, and each group colored the Mayor impressed! Now, for the next 2 1/2 weeks, those heroes who presented their pitch must take the feedback they received and revise their pitch for Exhibition. Their goal is to present solutions so grand that the Mayor can not say no! Haha.
As for the 2nd field trip of the day, it was perfect timing. Our heroes are in the process of creating greenhouses in the studio, and thanks to PTC Garden's greenhouse, the heroes were able to experience a real live professional one!
On top of a busy quest week, we have had a busy Story Arts and Civ week as well. We had an expert come in for Story Arts, our very own Ms. Q. from lower elementary! She came in and walked our heroes through an episodic analysis where they went over the elements of an episode and character development, and wow, what a success!
Lastly, our Civilization challenge for this week was explosive. The topic is gun control in America. We held a debate, and it ignited passions all around and changed multiple perspectives! After this climatic week, we all deserve a restful weekend.
On that note, have a great weekend, everyone!