Our very last week of 2020! 

The Eagles have loved having the freedom to each lunch outside. (It can be 25 degrees and lunch outside is still the unanimous decision.) The Eagles enjoyed a few days of throwing snowballs, playing on the ice, and eating {in} the snow. 

   

We have seen so much hard work and dedication happening during Core Skills! To encourage and celebrate their accomplishments, each milestone in Core Skills (10% in IXL and Khan, completion of a Badge Book or Aleks level) earns the Eagle 20 minutes of free computer game time.  

 

On Thursday, the Eagles were given 40 minutes to work in a collaborative team to earn as many IXL gold medals as possible.  All together, the Eagles completed 20 levels!! So impressive! 

  

4 Eagles took their Pitch a Field Trip writing through the entire process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing) to share their pitch with the community.  The winning field trip was........ UNIQUE TOYS! August won over his audience with the idea of bringing their own money to purchase dragons, rubix cubes, and plushies.  

The studio had a few visits from the Mess Monster during the week.  He left behind notes regarding the cleanliness of the studio and took away a few seating areas, such as the couch and rocker chairs.  He challenged the Eagles to earn their seating back by leaving the studio in a fabulous state.  

With the Exhibition on Friday, the Eagles had a Christmas Celebration on Thursday afternoon.  They played M&M Bingo, Jingle Bell Toss, had a Marshmallow Straw Race, played Christmas charades, watched The Grinch, and decorated cookies. 

 

In the days prior to the Exhibition, Eagles gathered together to create a plan.  They created a schedule, made a program, and assigned roles; Agora (marketplace) Worker, Announcer, Greeters, Time Manager, and Reflection Leader. On Friday morning, they ran through a trial run, reflecting on what went well and things they wished to change for the real Exhibition. Some of these ideas included being more serious, announcing louder, and asking Eagles to take a stance during reflection. 

The Eagles closed out the session with their 3rd Exhibition.  For this showcase, the Eagles invited their families into the world of Acton Athens.  There, they were given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Eagles' Quest for the session.  They were able to  build academic tools, create artwork, learn about Ancient Greece, eat Greek snacks, and have Socratic Discussions.  The Eagles past 3 weeks of hard work have prepared them for the Exhibition, where the coins they earned and saved were used with their visitors. 

We hope everyone enjoys their 2 weeks off, we will see you again on January 4th! 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

December 7-11

Eagles are loving this session's Acton Athens Quest! 

After completing the Choose Your Avatar challenge, Eagles have the freedom to purchase materials and complete any of the remaining challenges for coins.  Challenges range from 3 to 10 coins.  

   

Eagles who choose to participate and work hard in PE can also receive coins for completing various challenges.  This week they were challenged to 3 rounds of a high-intensity workout and 20-25 burpees for time. 

One group of Eagles held a Socratic Smackdown. Earning 10 coins for their participation and 12 coins for holding the position of facilitator and judge! 

Many Eagles have completed the draft of their Field Trip Pitch and are in the process of editing and revising their work.  Next Thursday, the Eagles who completed their Pitch will be able to pitch their plan to the community.  We can't wait to hear all the ideas and vote on the winning field trip! 

 

On Friday, the Eagles were divided into 3 teams and challenged to collaboratively earn the most gold medals in IXL.  They were given 40 minutes and could acquire help from their teammates to earn their contributing points.  All together, the Eagles completed 18 IXL levels!! 

 Only one week left in Session 3! We hope to see all of you at our Exhibition next Friday, December 18th at 2:00 pm. 

Session 3 Nov 30- Dec 4

 Our studio has been transformed into Acton Athens! 

During quest this session, Eagles enter the world of Acton Athens.  Here, they are presented with 12 challenges of varying difficulty.  From choosing a Greek avatar, to creating and using an abacus, sculpting a Greek hero, making a timeline of Greek history, and having their own Socratic Smackdown Discussions.  Each challenge that is completed to excellence earns the Eagles coins to spend in Agora (the Market). 

Eagles have learned about Greek gods, goddesses, and philosophers,

 

weaved potholders, 

created abacuses, 

and tried out some Greek snacks. 

As part of Acton Athens, the Eagles created an Excellence Committee to approve work for coins.  Here at Acton, we judge excellence by 4 standards- Is it my best work? Is it better than last time? How does it compare to a world-class example? Is it ready for exhibition? 

The Excellence Committee is in charge of approving each item.  They review the work, compare it to the examples given, check for excellent work based on the Eagles' level, and award coins or ask for corrections.  

This session's writing genre is Pitch a Field Trip.  The Eagles are challenged to research a field trip they would like the community to go on next session.  They have the following parameters; less than $10 an Eagle, no further than 20 minutes from Acton, and during school hours. At the end of the session, the Eagles will pitch their plan to their fellow Eagles, who will then vote on the winning field trip! 

 

On Wednesday, the Eagles closed out their day with a game of Get on the Chair.  They were challenged to move themselves from their current chair into the correct order, without touching the ground.  Their communication skills are really improving from session 1, they ALMOST completed it.  We'll have to try it again next week! 

We are so proud of each improvement; rather emotional, social, or educational that we see in our Eagles each day!