rain, history and coding

Check out this week’s updates…

spark studio

After enduring a stretch of bone-chilling temperatures at the beginning of the week, the weather gradually transformed. The relentless cold gave way to gentle, warming rain showers, which eventually escalated into intense storms. This shift allowed us to delve into discussions about weather patterns and the changing seasons. Positioned with windows facing all cardinal directions—North, South, East, and West—we embraced the ambiance of the elements from the cozy indoors. However, our enthusiasm for the weather didn't keep us confined; donning rain boots, we eagerly explored our newly transformed exterior surroundings.

Following a spirited whole-school meeting on Tuesday, fueled by our burgeoning school pride, we felt inspired to create symbols of our identity. The idea of a school flag and a Studio flag emerged, prompting us to ponder the selection of school colors. Delving into the school's history, we unearthed a fitting mascot: the Phoenix. This mythical bird, with roots in Greek, Egyptian, and Persian mythology, symbolizes cyclical regeneration, rising anew from its own ashes. Associated with the sun, the Phoenix embodies resilience and renewal—attributes that resonate with our school spirit.

As the weather outside played its unpredictable symphony, we sought to infuse more indoor fun through educational games. One such game, "Find the Word," challenged us in our new space, contributing to our daily vocabulary expansion. Amidst the playful learning atmosphere, we engaged in mathematical problem-solving, tackling scenarios like baseballs in a basket and markers in possession.

For instance, In the basket were seven baseballs; Tiger found six more, and then Grace borrowed five. How many balls were left in the basket? Our younger heroes explored their own problems, such as Wilder having two markers and Carter having three markers. How many markers do they have together? Incorporating everyday objects, these exercises brought word problems to life, enhancing our understanding of mathematical concepts.

Throughout these explorations, the Hero Honor Code (The Forest Fifteen) consistently took center stage in our daily endeavors. With a commitment to RESPECT, we diligently honed the art of learning, navigating our emotions, willpower, motives, and passions to excel in all our academic pursuits. Each day became an opportunity to refine ourselves as individuals and contribute positively to our shared educational journey. Have a wonderful Weekend!

lower elementary studio

"Come with me, and you'll be in a world of pure imagination."-Willy Wonka

What do Willy Wonka, Rosie the Riveter, and the 4-H Program all have in common? These’re just some of the exciting things the Lower Elementary heroes at The Forest School have been learning about this week!

We began the week getting our creative juices flowing in Story Arts as we received an exciting challenge from none other than Willy Wonka himself! He asked us to design our own candies for his magical Chocolate Factory. Can you imagine the flavors and shapes we came up with? It was a delightful exercise in imagination and storytelling.

This week in Civ, we embarked on a journey through history to explore the American homefront during World War II. We delved into the fascinating stories of Rosie the Riveter, the inspiring symbol of women in the workforce, and the heroic Tuskegee Airmen who defied odds and served their country with distinction. To bring history to life, we even had the chance to create our own propaganda posters highlighting essential aspects of the war effort, such as victory gardens, war bonds, and rationing.

Our coding journey continued this week as we learned various coding techniques to create new projects in Scratch. We embraced the world of technology and coding, exploring how to bring our ideas to life through programming. Who knows, maybe some of us are future tech wizards in the making!

We continued with our Hero Honor Code this week, focusing on one of “The Forest Fifteen” each day. We are working on a book of comic strips about each of the honor statements, and we updated our Studio contract to ensure that we covered all aspects of the code. Each of us has our own "promise" to remind others to follow, fostering a sense of responsibility and community.

Also, this week, we had our first PE and Art classes in our brand-new building! It was so exciting, and we can't wait to explore our creative and physical talents in this inspiring new environment. We are putting in extra effort to maintain the Studio's cleanliness and have even discussed bringing house shoes to wear inside to keep our floors and rugs in tip-top shape.

We're thrilled to announce that our school is starting a recycling program! Mr. Trey joined us to launch this exciting initiative in our Studio this week, and we are eager to do our part for the environment and make our school a greener place.

We also had a special visitor from the Fayette County 4-H Program, who introduced us to many programs they offer. We are looking forward to exploring many new opportunities with them in the future.

"There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination. Living there, you'll be free if you truly wish to be."-Willy Wonka.

upper elementary studio

Hello Parents! We hope you've had an incredible week. This week has been particularly special as we've been diving into the exciting world of coding and sharpening our speech-writing skills. We can't wait to give you guys a peek into all the fantastic things we've been up to!

Imagine creating your very own video game. Doesn't that sound so cool, right? Well, that's precisely what our brilliant learners have been doing this week! We've embarked on a journey into the world of coding, exploring the basics of how computer programs work. The best part is that the learners have proudly presented their masterpieces to the class! Each game was as unique as its creator, showcasing their coding skills and imaginative minds. It's incredible to see how much they've learned in such a short time.

In addition to their coding adventures this week, they embarked on the learners putting on their speech-writing hats. The learners have been busy penning down their thoughts and interests, preparing to share them with their fellow learners. Each learner has chosen a topic close to their heart, from their favorite video game to the mysteries of outer space. As we wrap up this incredible week of coding and speech crafting, we want to celebrate their achievements. They've shown resilience, creativity, and a hunger for knowledge that is truly commendable!

middle school studio

This week marked another highly productive chapter for our school community! In Quest, teams have embarked on a collaborative journey, translating the imaginative new worlds crafted in Story Arts into engaging games. Heroes have been enthusiastically building their game universes, from gathering materials and sketching blueprints to formulating rules and mechanics. Adding an exciting twist, a game expert visited us, providing valuable feedback on each group's progress.

To shed more light on Story Arts, learners are delving into the fascinating process of world creation based on a script, honing their imaginative skills along the way. Meanwhile, in Civilization, our heroes are dedicated to cultivating the Studio's culture. In a delightful and engaging activity, heroes were challenged to compose a Studio anthem and craft a constitution. The impact has been remarkable, fostering unity as they collaboratively devise laws for their Studio and the entire school. In this role-play as founding fathers, their collective effort shapes a sense of cohesion and shared responsibility.

Lastly, our schedule ensures dedicated time for core skills, meeting with squads to set goals, and helping each other approve badges when needed. Kudos to everyone for their dedication and creativity! Have a great weekend, everyone!

high school studio

A Week of Deep Thought and Creative Ventures

"All good things come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle." - Abraham Lincoln.

The completion of the High School Studio is on the brink of being finished. Look out for details coming soon about the High School Studio start date.

As we navigated this week, our heroes embarked on an intellectual journey marked by thoughtful debate and creative exploration. On Wednesday, the Math Lab and Civilization sessions intertwined, sparking an intense debate about the effectiveness of our judicial system and the treatment of criminals. It was a riveting session, where young minds delved deep into complex societal issues, questioning and contemplating the fabric of justice and law.

As we drew closer to the week's end, excitement buzzed in the air. Our heroes grouped together, brainstorming and building their innovative projects for the upcoming Exhibition on Wednesday, February 7th, at 6:15 pm. This session's challenge? Incorporating an aspect of quantum mechanics into their game designs. Witnessing their ideas come to life is a testament to the power of patience and perseverance.

We're all eagerly awaiting the Exhibition, where these young minds will showcase their unique interpretations of quantum concepts through the lens of game design. It's not just a display of creativity; it's a celebration of their journey in learning, waiting, and achieving.

Session 5: Year 6, WeeK 21 In Review