Session 2, Week 3
Acton Academies all over the world claim that Learning to Learn, Learning to Do, and Learning to Be are more important than Learning to Know. At CHOICE we propose that Learning to Be is the most important of all. Learning to Be is learning who we are, who we want to be, and choosing the Hero’s Journey to become that person. Learning to Be is choosing to be part of relational covenants (contracts). Learning to Be is accepting and learning from real world consequences. Learning to Be is helping our whole souls learn and progress. Learning to Be may be the hardest, and yet the most important work we do each day.
In the Spark Studio…in addition to academic habits, we have also been focusing on character habits. During our tribe time discussions heroes have an opportunity to give a Character Callout. A Character Callout is an opportunity to recognize something good that another hero has done. Some examples this week were: “I asked _____ to stop and they respected my choice and stopped.” “_____ got hurt and ________helped them feel better. ” “_____ was really focused during work cycle on their challenging goals.”
Spark heroes are also “Learning to Be” as they:
Stop to help one another in their failures and struggles:
Practice listening to each other and validating each heroes’ value during Tribe Time:
Take time to slow down, breathe, meditate, and relax during Turtle Time:
The peace table is also an important part of Learning to Be for the Spark heroes. When heroes are feeling big emotions, they know the peace table is a safe place to regulate their body. Sometimes they go alone and look at their families. Often a caring ally will give emotional support. The peace table is also the place set aside for heroes to work out disagreements.
In the Fire Studio… Learning to Be is woven into our every day. Our daily Habit Game is all about Learning to Be. Our “Resolution Room” is a process that outlines how to use “I statements” and listen carefully to another’s point of view. A hero can invite another hero to the “Resolution Room” anytime there is a conflict. “Gotchas” are similar to Character Callouts. They are written throughout the week and then read out loud Thursday afternoons. Gotchas follow the format: “To: _______ For: _____(state what you specifically saw that hero do) I call that: ________ (give it a character trait) From: _____ (Gotchas have to be signed in order for them to be read).” Daily meditation after lunch, which is led by the Middle School heroes, gives everyone a chance to slow down, breathe, think and reset.
The Fire Studio also has an official “Jolliness” time once a week. Jolliness is CHOICE’s hero derived nickname for social and emotional wellness. The Fire Studio began Jolliness this year by listing all the topics the heroes would like to discuss. As heroes discuss one of these topics each week, they add another tool to their “Backpack of tools.” These are tools that we can all use to help us be socially and emotionally healthy. This week, heroes shared how it feels in their bodies when they are at their angriest. We practiced a tool we all have access to when our bodies feel uncomfortable or out of control from anger– deep breathing. We experimented with shallow and fast breaths vs. slow and deep breaths and also brainstormed other situations when our deep breathing could come in handy.
Some of the quest challenges and exploratory works shown below were extremely frustrating for heroes. Developing grit is part of Learning to Be!
Playing organized outdoor games is part of social well-being. Heroes enjoyed 4 square and jump roping in the beautiful fall afternoon.
And after the outdoor games, heroes were so tired, they jumped into a silent D.E.A.R. and loved it!
In the Middle School …heroes enjoy a weekly Jolliness similar to the Fire Studio. In the Middle school, Jolliness is completely hero led. Middle School heroes choose their topic and then prepare 30 minutes of Jolliness. It includes a short presentation of researched information, a Socratic question, a short activity and a tool. This week’s topic was self-confidence. After a discussion on the question “Is it harder for you when you can’t do something or when someone is better than you at something” we were all given bingo boards. We were challenged to complete a black out by next week. The squares were all challenges to help us build our self-confidence. Most of the squares were challenges that would also build up others. Some examples were: do daily self-affirmations, wear something that you love but are embarrassed of, tell someone something that you admire about them, smile at a stranger, hug someone you don’t normally hug, and many more! As the MS heroes ran off to smile at strangers and hug Fire Studio heroes who looked like they needed a hug, I couldn’t help but wish that I had been encouraged to Learn to Be like that by my friends when I was in Middle School!
Throughout their days, the MS heroes are continually building their social and emotional health, often without realizing it. Each morning they write down how much sleep they got and encourage each other to sleep more. Many mornings they are playing games and doing riddles and puzzles before school starts. Every Thursday instead of regular grit challenges, they lead the Fire Studio in an outdoor game (this week was Red Light, Green light). Who knew Red Light, Green Light could be so fun! They have begun new birthday traditions to honor each other. On the day of each hero’s birthday, the other heroes write a note sharing something sincere and specific that they appreciate about the birthday hero, and then the birthday hero shares childhood pictures and reads aloud some favorite picture books from when they were young. “We should do story time every day!” commented one hero.
I love seeing how the heroes are learning to be sincere and honest, even when needing to give cool feedback to fellow-heroes. In a discussion about quest accountability and the advantages and disadvantages of working with partners, the middle school heroes were able to bring up potentially sensitive topics and discuss them honestly yet tactfully. I am so impressed with their maturity! The heroes have been working on planning local day trips within a budget and presented their trips to the group to be voted on.
And this picture just had to be included… The MS received their trophy for winning the regional Lip Dub contest!
Learning to Be is hard – and oft times a lot of fun. It is the true work of a Hero on a journey. I am inspired by the Hero’s and the work they do every day!