Session 7, May 23-27

This session's Quest is called Growing Curiosity, focusing on learning about new topics and sparking interest.  Level 3-5 Eagles were given the chance to create their own launch and challenge to share with the studio. 

On Monday, Paul shared about Bushido, the ancient code of the Samurai.  He showed the 7 virtues, led a discussion asking the group if they would choose to be Samurai, then challenged them to create their own code.  Once their Code was created, they designed a Samurai Sword using materials given to them; foil, straws, toilet paper rolls, and cupcake liners. After 30 minutes, groups voted on the best Samurai Sword- crowning Team 3 the winners! 

 

Wedesday, Lulu introduced the Eagles to Georgia O'Keeffe.  She shared a little about O'Keeffe's life, then played BINGO to introduce her artwork.  Noticing most of her work was of nature, Lulu challenged the Eagles to create O'Keeffe inspired watercolor paintings of skyscrapers, landscapes, bones, flowers, or trains.  Working to keep it simple with lines and shapes, just like O'Keeffe did.  

 

Friday, August introduced us to Greek Mythology creatures.  He then challenged the Eagles to create their own and list 3 special features.  Once completed, the group voted on their favorite creature.  Olaf, the pickle eating, unkillable creature won by one vote! 

 

In Writer's Workshop, Eagles are using Storybird to write their own picture book.  This site allows writers to choose a set of images to use as illustrations for their story.  After choosing their image they began drafting stories.  Writers seem to really enjoy this Writer's Workshop and we are excited to hear their final pieces! 

 

We have added in some Team-Building Challenges to encourage teamwork and build upon the culture of our studio.  Working with other people is hard! Yet, it is such an integral part of life; rather it be with family, classmates, teammates, or colleagues.  So, we like to practice this skill in fun ways! 

This week we worked with a group to create clay animals without talking and made skits to get the studio laughing. 

 

May 9-13

A new business has been created- ACME Cleaning Company.  This company services Amarillo Acton and works to keep the studio in prestine, excellent condition.  Job openings were posted Monday and many of our learners were excited to apply.  After being hired, each worker chose (by randomly drawing a stick) an area of the studio to clean.  If deemed excellent by the CEO at the end of the day, the worker earns 5 Eagle Bucks! Those who want to step up and take on another job can be paid an extra 3!  One learner took on 4 jobs, striving to earn a total of 14 Eagle Bucks in one day! The Cleaning Company's hard work was even recognized by a parent who stated this was the cleanest she has seen the studio all year!  

 

Completed challenges in Quest earned the Eagles a trip to explore at River Falls.  We walked about 30 minutes to a small river where the Eagles explored and ate their lunch.  Friends enjoyed the fresh air while skipping rocks, hunting for small creatures, and playing in the water. On the way back to Acton we cooled off with a sweet popsicle treat and Gatorades.  Such a fun way to celebrate their hard work! 

 

The final step in completing their Science-Based Fiction writing was to add 5 illustrations to their pieces.  Writers were challenged to integrate their illustrations into the story, just like we saw in the picture book, A Sick Day for Amos McGee.  Some writers even chose to split their story into multiple pages to resemble a picture book.  These published stories will be combined to create a storybook to add to the studio. 

 

Last semester, an Eagle brought up the idea of bringing her trained Reading Dog to the studio during DEAR time.  The Eagles unanimously voted yes and Olive came this week for her first reading day! Readers had the opportunity to sign up for a 20 minute session with Olive. 

Our Excellence Committee has been hard at work reviewing Badges.  These 3 Eagles, voted upon by their peers, have the tough job of approving and denying learner's work.  They meet together to look at the expecations and determine if an Eagle's submission is excellent based on the following criteria; is this the learner's best work, is it better than their previous work, and does it fit the standards? 

Thursday, Eagles prepared for their Exhibition.  They started the morning creating a plan for the day.  It was decided the Excellence Committee needed to meet, the scavenger hunt needed to be created, friends should finish their Super Bug and posters, while others should work to complete their writing badge.  The rest of the day was spent practicing for the Exhibition and completing a few run throughs. 

This session's Exhibition was all about insects! Eagles created a scavenger hunt for their visitors, challenging them to find the Eagles' Super Insects with various abilities and characteristics.  They were challenged to find the insects that can glow, self destruct, shoot venom out of their bottoms, breath underwater, and hide from predators on bigger insects. 

  

The Eagles even created their own Conundrum Dilemma, challenging parents to take a stance;  

"So. Here’s the thing. There’a a company researching a bug called Tiger Sight. Studying the fact that it can grow crystals out of it's teeth. Whenever you put a tooth in a certain liquid, it takes the form of a crystal. But three other companies also want to study this insect, because if they do they will earn lots of money. So, which team are you on? Team Dojo is the one who studies the insect currently. Team Madlab the one who makes the liquid to turn it into crystals. Team Archerlook the one who catches the bug and transports it to the science lab. Or Team Farmal the one that knows how to process it to the bank." Whose team would you choose?

May 2-6

Tuesday our Eagles had the opportunity to meet with a Writing Buddy during Writer's Workshop.  The goal was to improve their piece based on the trait of Idea Development; including details, describing things in unique ways, using showing sentences, keeping writing on topic, and displaying a love for the story.  We are so grateful for our Writing Buddies! The Eagles love their help and the important role they play in improving their stories. 

Thursday, Eagles worked on editing their story by utilizing the Community of Editors. 5 Eagles chose an area to check the group's work for mistakes.  They then passed their piece around and made edits based on their chosen area; capitols, inner punctuation, outer punctuation, spelling, and juicy words. The writers are now ready to make changes to their piece to prepare it for publishing. 

 

Should we eat bugs? Such an interesting discussion to begin our week in the Entomology Quest.   Most agreed that bugs should not be included as a regular part of anyone's diet, but said they would be willing to try them.  So, Eagles were thrilled (or disgusted) when given the chance to taste test some lemon-lime grasshoppers.  Surprisingly, some even enjoyed them!

  

After taste-testing, Eagles set up a mealworm habitat with their squad.  They will watch as the mealworms move through their lifecycle, changing into pupas and then darkling beetles.  Then share their observations and habitats with families at the Exhibition. 

The rest of the week, our Entomologists experieced what it is like to work out in the field.  As a team, they explored the school grounds to find insects that call our play area their habitat.  After exploring, they were challenged to choose one insect to bring back to the studio.  They then researched about the insects' dietary and home needs, creating a habitat for the creature. 

 

Last week a few Eagles were upset with the way the studio library was being treated and taken care of, so they decided to take initiative and close off the books.  After choosing to pay the guides with free time in exchange for restoring the library, the Eagles decided to work together to organize it themselves.  They shared their expectations and after about 60 minutes of hard work, the library was back in working condition. 

   

This week for our cultural studies Eagles, learned about the Mexican Culture.  We had one of our very own moms come in and share about her culture.  She also led Eagles in making fiesta banners and mini pinatas.  The Eagles learned that Cinco De Mayo is a celebration for Mexico's victory over the French in the 1800s. 

 

Last week in Town Hall a learner brought up the idea to split the Eagles into boys and girls during work time.  Explaining that many people were getting distracted and it would be easier to hold one another accountable this way.  In Town Hall this week, the Eagles put the idea into fruition by making the decision to remove freedom levels (their way of earning various freedoms in the studio- sitting on beanbags, eating snack, working on the couch).  They flipped a coin and the boys moved tables into Room 2, while the girls found new table spots in room 1.  Such an interesting choice to the adults in the room, but one many Eagles seem very happy with. 

April 25-29

 This week Eagles are combining creativity with last week's research to design their own bugs.  These 'Super Bugs' include all kinds of different defenses and abilities.  We have bugs that can hunt for humans based on their smell, float through space, turn into parasites, use wings to cover and camouflage their body, and others covered in poisonous spikes.  After creating, the Eagles decided to make posters to display their Super Bug's information at the Exhibition.  

  

Eagles decided that each poster needed to include their Super Bug's common name, scientific name, habitat, diet and abilities.  At the Exhibiton, parents will be challenged to complete a Super Bug scavenger hunt! Eagles are hoping the posters will keep them from continually repeating their bug's information.

 

  In Writer's Workshop, Eagles are working on editing their Science-Based Fiction stories.  They are reading one another's stories and providing feedback to help improve their pieces. Through this process our Eagles are learning what makes a story interesting to their peers, how to give helpful feedback, and how can to accept constructive criticism.   Next week, Eagles will have the opportunity to meet with an older Writing Buddy. 

This week in Creative Arts, Eagles learned about the African culture.  Unlike Americans who stop at Hobby Lobby for art supplies and Target for a new shirt, most African cultures gather supplies from nature to create their clothing.  Eagles experienced what it might be like to make their own jewelry by making necklaces and bracelets out of yarn.  

 

One of our moms and founder of the non-profit 2535 Water shared with the Eagles how children in Uganda walk up to 4 miles every day to gather water! They then take it home to boil, so the water is safe to use.  To help our Eagles understand this exhausting daily feat, they moved 45 pound containers of water across the field.  We moved the water about 10 yards each, but the children in Uganda carry water the length of a football field 16 times!  Can you imagine?