Mar 7 - Mar 11

 Mar 7-Mar 11

In this week’s Writer’s Workshop, our Eagles are editing their drafts and getting feedback from other Eagles about their instructions. To begin this week they watched a silly video using very confusing instructions and worked with a friend to get feedback on their own instructions. They were introduced to sentence clarity with a fun game and they played it excellently! The task was to remove unnecessary words from the sentence to write one that was clearer for the reader, simplifying their writing. Most of the Eagles are making their way through the editing process and are excited to get more feedback and testing done next week. 

In Quest, we learned about the wheel and axle simple machine, created two wheeled vehicles, and did some testing and observation. Again, they had the opportunity to decide whether or not they would include that simple machine in their arcade game(s). We discussed what possibilities exist using a combination of three simple machines and many of the teams are already working on ideas. Some teams completed bonus challenges that taught them to think about how gravity may impact their arcade game. They are seeing their options for supplies in the Quest Store and the prices for each supply. Eagles have earned Quest Bucks for each challenge and they will have to budget for their supplies, even renting some materials for a day. Next week they will start planning and building! 

 

On Friday the Eagles took a field trip to DISCO Inc's Fabrication Shop to learn about mechanical engineering and machines! The Eagles saw the process of making a design on the computer and then bringing that design to life with the plasma cutter.They met a welder, who shared his Heroes Journey, and showed them an example of welding metal. They saw different tools, and spotted different machines throughout the studio. The machinists made a giant Acton Academy eagle sign, and made individual signs for each eagle! Such a fun day.

  

 

 

The Eagles were disappointed to have to spend time inside again this week for Free Time and PE, but as always, they had a lot of fun. We had a Fun Friday challenge with Math Skills earning a special reward for the whole studio. Our Eagles have continued to work hard in Core Skills and earn higher Freedom Levels that allow them to choose where they want to work during the day. We have some new bean bag chairs that are very popular! 

 

Our teams are working hard to finalize their scripts and will soon present their plays to the group. They are all working hard to practice and make their plays excellent. Some teams are ready to start building props, have plans for costumes, and are working together to present the best plays at Exhibition. 

 

On Tuesday we braved the cold and went outside for PE! The Eagles love having ownership of PE time, choosing the warm up, workout and game for the day. We are all ready for spring weather though!