Session 6: Year 5, Week 28 In Review

 

Exhibition, mystery and creative writing

Check out this week’s updates…


spark studio

Our Story: “It Takes a Spark to Start a Fire”

It just takes a Spark to start a fire

It just takes a smile to make the world shine brighter

We’ve got to lo, lo, lo, lo, lo, love each other

We’ve got to lo, lo, lo, lo, lo, love each other

And when I think of all my favorite things, it makes me want to sing of: puppy dogs, puppies, Gelato & Amici’s, Hero Donuts, basketball, Pikachu, Kirby, my sister, Nintendo switch, football, drawing, painting, comic strips, Spark, wooly mammoths, soccer, gymnastics, Steph Curry, baseball, flowers, peace, singing, Wii, and Jax

Thank you to our beautiful families for enriching our lives as well as providing the staff with lunch at the end of each session. We appreciate it so much. The End! 


elementary studio

Quest for Session 6 at The Forest School was an exciting opportunity for our learners to exercise their problem-solving skills and creativity.

They were introduced to different problem-solving methods through Design Learning and worked together to create designs for the Spark outdoor classroom at the new school. Additionally, the learners explored writing techniques and were encouraged to be as creative as possible in writing children's books for this session's Story Arts.

The session began with Design Learning, a problem-solving approach emphasizing collaboration, empathy, and innovation. Our learners were tasked with designing the outdoor classroom for the new school. They worked in groups to identify the needs and wants of the students and teachers and develop creative solutions to meet those needs. They used various tools and techniques, such as brainstorming, sketching, and prototyping, to create their designs.

This activity allowed our learners to develop essential skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration. They learned how to work together to solve complex problems and to consider different perspectives and ideas. They also gained a deeper understanding of the importance of outdoor education and the impact it has on learning and well-being.

After the Design Learning activity, the learners explored writing techniques and wrote children's books for Story Arts. They were encouraged to be as creative as possible and to write a story that all children would enjoy. They used various writing tools and techniques, such as dialogue, character development, and descriptive language, to create engaging and imaginative stories.

This activity allowed our learners to express their creativity and imagination in a unique way. They worked individually to create their stories, which allowed them to develop their writing skills and express their voice and style. Each learner produced a fantastic children's book that showcased their creativity and writing skills.

Creating designs and writing children's books helped our learners express themselves creatively and improved their problem-solving and writing skills. They had to think carefully about the needs and wants of their audience and how to meet them effectively through their designs and stories.

Overall, Quest for Session 6 was a successful and rewarding experience for our learners. They had the opportunity to develop essential life skills and to express their creativity and imagination. We look forward to seeing their designs come to life in the Spark outdoor classroom and reading their children's books!


middle school studio

Congratulations! You have made it to the end of another session, which is something to be proud of.

This past Quest session was undoubtedly a journey of growth and learning, and I'm sure you can reflect on the numerous experiences and knowledge gained. One significant aspect of the Quest program is the feedback and peer reviews learners receive from their fellow participants and special guests.

Throughout the session, learners had the opportunity to receive feedback from a diverse group of special guests, including industry professionals, academics, and experts. These individuals provided valuable insights and critiques on learners' projects, helping them improve their work and develop their skills. Peer reviews also played a crucial role in the learning process, allowing learners to engage with each other's work, provide constructive feedback, and receive feedback in return.

The importance of feedback cannot be overstated, and the exhibition at the end of each session provides a perfect opportunity for learners to receive feedback from a broader audience. Exhibiting one's work is a vulnerable experience, but it allows learners to showcase their hard work and receive feedback from a diverse group of people. Feedback can help learners identify areas of improvement, celebrate successes, and better understand their work's impact.

As learners reflect on the end of another Quest session, take some time to consider the feedback and peer reviews you received. Use this feedback as a tool for growth and improvement, and continue to challenge yourself to push beyond your limits in the next session.


high school studio

As the end of the session approached, the High School studio decided to celebrate their academic accomplishments with a night of intrigue, excitement, and a dash of danger.

Parents and guests arrived at The Forest School Fiasco casino murder mystery dinner, not knowing what to expect but eager to put their sleuthing skills to the test.

From the moment guests arrived at the casino, they were swept up in the immersive experience. Guests were given little information, only knowing that each casino goer had their own secrets and motives, and was tasked with solving a murder that had taken place in the casino. The stakes were high, and the tension was palpable as they interrogated each other and tried to piece together the clues. But despite the challenge, everyone had a blast. The room filled with laughter, and schemes, as they tried their best to outwit each other. And in the end, unfortunately, their hard work did not pay off; unable to solve the murder and bring the culprit to justice.

As guests left the casino, tired but triumphant, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment in the High School studio for their creativity, abstract thinking, and teamwork that went into pulling together a full-fledged murder mystery dinner. It was a challenging, fun, and successful session that we would never forget. And it was the perfect way to cap off another successful academic year.

Have a great break, and see you all in 1 week!


 
Tyler Thigpen