field trips and unexpected surprises

Check out this week’s updates…

spark studio

“If we can make it through the night will see the sun

March on, march on

Till we see the sun

Through the good times,

Through the bad times

Through the long days

Through the hard nights

Keep on till we see the sun”

“March On” by Good Charlotte holds a profound meaning that resonates with many. Its message of resilience, unity, and hope serves as a reminder to keep pushing forward, even in the face of adversity.

This week in Spark, we discovered many new things about the life of Bob Marley, the reggae artist with a great impact in history, who introduced Jamaican music to the world and advocated for peace and unity.

Midweek Spark led a parade through a tunnel in the courtyard created by all level learners celebrating Chinese New Year, a festival marking the start of the new year, beginning on the second new moon after the winter solstice and ending on the full moon fifteen days later. Visits to family and friends, special meals, fireworks, and gift-giving mark it. Each studio received a special gift, including a potted plant. With our focus on gardening, plants, and the body there was no better way to say we care about you then this small gift.

Just as a plant needs care and attention to thrive, friendship also requires nurturing and support.

A compelling narrative captures attention, evokes emotion, and makes complex ideas more relatable. Mr. Leonard captivated us with his enchanting storytelling, weaving tales that brought words on the page to vivid life, engaging our imaginations and emotions.

Did you know that Earth takes 365.25 days to orbit the sun? NASA confirms it, and since most years are confined to 365 days, we add an extra day to the calendar every four years to compensate for the fractional day. So, we transformed into "little leapers," joyfully leaping into the new month, celebrating a day that only graces our calendars once every four years.

After reading this blog, kindly share the magical word "strawberry" with your learner. Encourage them to retain it, as they will be prompted to share it with us on Monday.

Happy Leap Day!

lower elementary studio

The lower elementary heroes had a very eventful week! We learned about American history and world geography through a fun trivia game. The heroes practiced writing & delivering scripts for radio ads, including creating all of the sound effects that accompany it, like imitating dolphin squeals, whistle blows, and bouncing balls.

On Wednesday, they started creating posters to represent their games that are in the process of development. Due to the power outage on Wednesday afternoon, we missed a bit of quest time, but the heroes were able to build camaraderie and their teaming skills as they played games with the other studios. On Thursday, we spent some extra working on our D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) badges and developing our studio culture. Council members have started taking on more leadership in the studio by leading trials when necessary, helping praise heroes, and giving shoutouts when learners are shining bright!

Today, the heroes made great strides in quest as they made paper prototypes of their games, tested the models and made adjustments based on feedback they received from other learners. We finished off the day with our freedom level ceremony to celebrate all the heroes who have reached flying and soaring! So, how can you support your hero next week? Ask them how they can do their best at studio maintenance, and remind them to submit their journey tracker points each day.

upper elementary studio

It's time for a quick update on the incredible happenings in our Upper and Lower Elementary Studios. The buzz around here is about our collaborative Quest: The Art and Science of Backyard Games. Make sure to catch up with your learner about their game prototype – your feedback will mean the world to them.

In Civilization, we've returned to the Cold War era. Our heroes are exploring the intriguing world of espionage, from crafting invisible ink to designing their spy gadgets. It's been a week of secret missions and creative discoveries.

But it's not just about academics – we're also honing in on some crucial life skills. We've been focusing on leadership and nurturing a positive studio culture. This weekend, we encourage you to have a heart-to-heart with your Hero about the significance of kindness, empathy, and leading by example.

Studio life is more than just classes; it's a vibrant community of learning and growth. Your involvement and conversations with your Hero about their experiences make a world of difference.

middle school studio

Engagement was high this week as heroes got busy replicating lunar models with clay, debating about space tourism, and exploring important figures in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. What we didn’t expect this week was a power outage on Wednesday! We kept spirits high by gathering outside in the Courtyard and hosting team building games! Middle School stayed out a bit later than the other Studios to play a few more afterward.

In Quest, heroes researched lunar rovers of the past, splitting up into sculptors and writers. The sculptors studied the design of the rovers that made it to the moon and formed them with clay. They explained to the Studio why the rover was shaped the way it was and the materials it used. The writers enacted interviews with astronauts or wrote raps to share the successes and failures of the missions. Today in Quest, we got up to date on the most current news, detailing the most recent missions to the moon, including Artemis from NASA. There is so much to learn from our past and present as we design a lunar base for the future!

In Civ, heroes were actively moving around the room and getting exposure to many important figures from the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. They continue to set the stage for a Gallery Walk, showcasing these individuals’ roles in the movement, the challenges or obstacles they endured, their impact, their collaboration with other key figures, and their legacies, all while offering feedback to other heroes drafts and evaluating their work.

Story Arts was lively this week! After getting into the nitty gritty of various debate styles, we hosted our first mock debates. Half the Studio debated Space Tourism, and the other half debated mining natural resources in Space. We followed a simple format with timers and allowed everyone to reflect and evaluate the debaters' content, style, and strategies. “Are we going to have more debates like this?” one hero ran up to a Guide, after which we affirmed, and the hero shouted, “Yes!”

high school studio

This week has been a whirlwind of learning and exploration for our Heroes. From diving deep into political ideologies, mastering parental budgeting strategies, and delving into the intricate workings of Milwaukee’s Juvenile Justice system, our Heroes have truly embraced the diverse topics presented to them.

The week's highlight was undoubtedly our enlightening field trip to The Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. Stepping into the museum was like stepping back in time, as our Heroes gained a profound understanding of the harsh realities of slavery and the historical events that shaped our nation. It was a poignant reminder of the importance of understanding our past to shape a better future.

As we reflect on the week gone by, it’s hard to believe that only 58 school days remain. Time flies when you’re busy learning and growing! But as we look ahead, we are excited for the opportunities and adventures that await us in the coming weeks. Until then, let’s continue to embrace every learning opportunity and make the most of our time together. Here’s to another week of growth, discovery, and making memories!

Session 6: Year 6, WeeK 25 In Review