Session 6: Year 6, WeeK 28 In Review
spring is here!
Check out this week’s updates…
spark studio
Our journey into the science of gardening and the human body found us curious about our bones and how to nourish them.
Bones provide support for our bodies and help form our shape. Although very light, bones are strong enough to support our entire weight. Do you know what the strongest bone in the body is? We had a fun challenge to create a human skeleton. It was unanimously decided that the tallest learner would be traced onto paper. Each learner then chose a specific bone from the basket and had to draw it in life-size, label it using its scientific name, cut it out, and place it in the basket. We can’t wait to put our skeletons together and dance to the Skeleton Song.
For us to move about joyfully, we discovered that our skeletal system needs nourishment, too. It all began with a few curious questions, What are some healthy snacks to eat and how do we make a balanced lunch? March Madness is in full swing. Learners can earn three baskets per day. 1. Follow the Contract of Promises (coming to the group peacefully and remaining respectful throughout group time); 2. Using best table manners during lunch and lunch/studio maintenance; and 3. Challenge oneself to achieve daily goals. In honor of International Women’s Month, we empathized with and empowered by Harriett Tubman.
We are thankful for her resilience, bravery, and uplifting force within her soul. It clarified for us that we all have the power within us to change the world. Kindness is King!“I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such glory over everything. The sun came up like gold through the trees, and I felt like I was in heaven. ~ Harriett Tubman
lower elementary studio
The learners have really gotten to show off their math skills this week as they engaged in Practicals. Their math skills were put to the test as they worked with high school learners and showed they could budget for a Disney vacation, tell time, and plan out a schedule of their own, among other tasks! In addition, we have seen some bookworms emerge as we have continued to build in plenty of time for independent reading through D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) and writing book reports, which doubles as handwriting practice.
The learners have also been working diligently to prepare for Exhibition next week through creating signs to display and finalizing their backyard game playbooks to show off to parents and our experts from Trilith Institute. We can’t wait for you to experience what they have been working on! And, of course, the learners have loved twinning, wearing pajamas to school, and bringing their A-game for crazy hair day! It’s been the icing on the cake this week!
upper elementary studio
This week, our heroes have been diligently preparing for the upcoming Exhibition. They've been deeply engaged in crafting detailed playbooks to complement their games, which they'll proudly present to the experts from the Trilith Foundation. As the weekend approaches, I encourage you to take a moment to connect with your Hero and discuss their playbook design journey.
Furthermore, improving our studio maintenance has been a key focus as we've settled into our new location. I'm pleased to announce that our Heroes have risen to that challenge! While we've established a habit of keeping the studio clean, it's time to pay attention to the smaller details and maintain impeccable organization. Brainstorm with your learner how they can bring their best organization skills to keep our shelves and counters tidy.
As we near the end of the academic year, learners must set goals for the final stretch. I encourage you to regularly check in with your Hero as we approach the year-end, creating a supportive environment for them to articulate and pursue the goals they set in the studio. Concurrently, as a team, we'll facilitate these check-ins and guide our Heroes in setting meaningful end-of-year milestones. Let's embark on this journey of growth and achievement together!
middle school studio
Fast-paced, active, and immersive learning comes to mind when we think about this week in Middle School! The two main highlights were “Number Ninja Warrior” and a field trip to the Coca Cola Space Center!
We welcomed High School learners as our “senseis” in the Studio, helping to guide heroes through a week of Math Practicals. Heroes worked in small groups, individually, with Khan and Math Lab review, and of course lots of active challenges. We even had a Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course out in the Courtyard. Heroes crawled, jumped, balanced and more through obstacles, practicing math all the way through. They ended the week presenting evidence of their mathematical competencies and will receive formalized and written feedback.
As for the field trip, we immersed ourselves in interactive exhibits at the Coca Cola Space Center in Columbus, Georgia. We spent the day in a shuttle simulator, in a planetarium show, and working our way through these unique and hands-on exhibits. We took a sunshine walk to a food hall for dessert and snacks to wrap up the day. Such a great memory!
Next week, we will cap off this fun session with our galactic Exhibition. We will share our lunar base models and diagrams with parents. We will also present our ideas for extending our stay on the moon, as challenged by an astronaut, who, by the way, we will Zoom with life during the Exhibition! This session has truly been out of this world.
high school studio
Wow, what a week it's been! We dedicated a lot of time to preparing for Exhibition, ensuring that our hard work is showcased brilliantly. We delved into the political world, gaining valuable knowledge and developing a passion for our country's politics.
Additionally, we explored story arts and wrapped up with a fantastic parenting course designed to equip everyone with the tools for raising wonderful children. Covering topics like parenting styles and budgeting, we created an interactive and comprehensive course.
Furthermore, we delved into the criminal justice system for Civ, engaging in insightful discussions on communication, respect, and empathy. It's been a week filled with learning, sharing, and moments of growth and reflection. As we close this session, it's clear that we've had a truly impactful week. Have a great weekend, everyone!!