Week 11: 11/10-11/16
From the Spark Studio
From Miss Anna: This week we had some of the most productive work cycles thus far this school year! Although they were still full of energy and excitement, those big emotions were channeled into productive, challenging work. When faced with the choice to goof around or choose a work, each of our Heroes pretty consistently chose the latter this week.
This opened up some great conversations about which is more enjoyable – mastering something challenging or wandering around the studio. We had lots of discussion about how annoying it is when you don’t get to choose your own work (a consequence when our choices are distracting others) and how boring the day can be when you don’t choose a work. That contrasted well with the feelings we have when we are engaged in something challenging. A common phrase the Heroes have been using is “hard and fun.” What a meaningful paradox to value at a young age!
From the Elementary Studio
From Kara: We had some great explorations into the science of forensic science this week – learning about educated guesses, observations, controls and variables, and quantity and quality of data. The heroes discussed microbial jungles, decomposing corpses, and lying, and then used the tools scientists use – pipettes, petri dishes, beakers, sphygmomanometers – to draw their own conclusions.
From JeVonne: I enjoyed watching the heroes play games and discover that grammar can be fun! However, my highlight moment of the week occurred after several discussions about “Mr Resistance” and his side kicks “It’s-too-hard” and “Fear.” I listened with great humor as numerous heroes called out in pride, “I failed!” “I failed!” while attempting difficult challenges during core skills time. How beautiful to practice challenging ourselves enough to fail and then keep trying.
As one hero wisely said this week “we are learning life skills here.” These meaningful conversations – “hard and fun” and “how to fail and keep trying” – are promoting life skills!