Session 6, Week 1
As Spark and Fire Studio heroes came back to school for Session 6, they were welcomed into a Detective Quest. Among other things, this quest will focus on noticing and observation. Following suite, here is what we noticed and observed as guides this week:
The first day of session 6 was so amazing in the SPARK STUDIO we had to wear sunglasses from our pure awesomeness. Ok, it was really a solar eclipse. The learners enjoyed viewing the solar eclipse with the special eclipse glasses. Our solar system is amazing! You might say it’s out of this world! (Ok. Ok. I’ll stop).
We changed up our Walk the Line activity and are shifting to focus more on grace and courtesy. This is a big subject area in the Montessori curriculum. Learners practiced holding a small spoon while balancing on it a small marble all the while walking in a line and practiced saying things like, “Excuse me.” “I’m sorry.” “Thank you!” and “Please.”
Learners were anxious to explore the new Montessori works…
…help around the studio…
…and help one another.
A HUGE highlight was the arrival of 3 day old baby quail chicks. We are learning how to care for them. Learners change out the quails’ water, feed them multiple times a day, and give them lots of love. BONUS: Learners wash their hands before and after holding the chicks. Their hands have never been so clean!
This session we are exploring the skills behind being a detective: observation, seeing other’s point of view, reading the clues, etc. Learners divided into groups and created obstacle courses. Then, they were challenged to complete another group’s obstacle course without any instructions on how to go about it. Other launches this week included a discussion on whether the Big Bad Wolf is guilty or innocent, gathering information from other people’s point of view before you make a conclusion, and searching for secret missions throughout the studio.
I just couldn’t leave out this picture of a hero playing detectives and making a doughnut to eat.
We took far too many pictures in the FIRE STUDIO this week, but it was easy to do with all the fun things going on!
The beginning of the session is a great time for some renewed tribe building as a whole studio and as new squads. With the first day’s overlap with the solar eclipse, a space themed week felt just right.
On Monday, hero’s played an orbit game, an anti-gravity game, a solar flare blindness/leadership game, and more as they discovered and bonded with their new squads and squad leaders. We topped it all off with a Solar Eclipse Viewing Picnic!
On Tuesday heroes dived back into core skill work and I could tell by the focus level that many heroes are feeling the end-of-school-year time crunch to finish their yearly goals. They worked as a whole studio during creation time to bring the solar system to CHOICE—you might have enjoyed the fruits of their labors during pick up.
Wednesday Sketch comedy groups got double time this week to hone their skits and even begin filming.
On Thursday we celebrated the first badges of the session, including the school year’s first full Mathmind badge!!
Mixed in with all the fun, FS’s new Council helped the session get off to a great start with four lunchtime meetings this week—I call that great public service!
The studio also adopted a new system to try which will help heroes hold themselves and others accountable to their weekly goals: heroes quickly jot down a written version of their goals on Monday morning and squads will check that version against the ending Journey Tracker goals at squad meeting on Thursdays, as they determine their freedom level for the next week and offer each other feedback.
As the Fire Studio began their Detective Quest, they are already learning there is much to be noticed! We started the week with the Case of the Missing Donut, to initiate some fun mysterious team building skills with new squads. The Heroes learned what types of Forensics are involved and they all chose what type interested them most. They had a great discussion about what helps most in solving crimes: Curiosity, Strong Memory, Imagination, or Attention to Detail. There were a lot of black fingerprints, use of magnifying glasses, and studying of a crime scene that occurred in the Studio – a lot of NOTICING is taking place.
We could write a book about what we noticed in San Diego with the DELTA STUDIO this week, but I’ll try to be concise.
The heroes worked so hard planning their trip – making phone calls, learning how to use credit cards, navigating reservations, thinking through details, meal planning, looking up travel distances and parking, estimating costs, and of course raising money. Before we ever left on the trip, I felt like it was worth it because of what they learned.
The excitement was high as we gathered at the airport!
Upon landing in San Diego we were so grateful for all the work and organization of the logistics committee – navigating the world of Turro can be confusing.
As most of the heroes explored Old Town San Diego, the food committee went shopping. I did a little tutorial on price per ounce vs total price and then I literally sat back and watched the fruit of all their planning. I received multiple comments from adults watching them. One Costco employee said, “I never sees anything good from kids at Costco. This gives me hope!”
I’m not sure which was more of an experience for the heroes, walking through downtown San Diego (it’s a little bigger than SLC) or a Padres game. Either way, it was a great way to wrap up day 1.
Upon our arrival we learned that our zoo day was cancelled. The activities committee met, pivoted, made a decision and Day 2 was a magical day on the beach! After a full day of waves, sand and football, we spent a magical afternoon exploring tide pools. The heroes weren’t too old to call out or shriek in delight when they found an interesting creature. It was fun to see the natural curiosity they all still have inside them. And although heroes were exhausted, they still had enough energy to finish off their day with dinner on the beach (and associated games like “real hot potato”).
Day 3 began with early morning kayaking in La Jolla. Sharks, dolphins, sea lions, fish and being out on the ocean were highlights of the trip for many heroes.
We enjoyed a picnic lunch followed by football, soccer, and ultimate frisbee. Heroes were decently tired at this point and whereas there was nearly zero arguing the day before during sand football, there was a considerable amount during these games 🙂 The best part of arguing however, is listening to the heroes apologize to and forgive one another afterwards. They have great maturity in this regard. That maturity was soon needed as some heroes participated in night time pranks on night #3. (more to follow about this)
Day 4 was spent at the USS Midway. Everyone was impressed by something – whether it was the massiveness of the ship, the speed at which planes take off and land, the incredible stories of the veterans, or the soccer urinals in the men’s bathroom.
After arriving home it was time for a little discussion. The heroes had done an incredible job planning the trip. The reality of executing the plan (or changing the plan when necessary!) was another layer of responsibility that we had not prepared for. We had a brief discussion about Freedom and Responsibility; Which was more important on a trip like this? and What responsibilities did they wish they had done a better job of? We also discussed Freedom and Boundaries; Which do they feel they need more of in their life? and What boundaries should we have discussed before we left. Our final discussion revolved around listening to others and hearing how the pranks the night before crossed boundaries for some, and didn’t for others. Recognizing and respecting boundaries, freedom and responsibility – these are life lessons for all (including us guides). Unintentionally, these might be the greatest lessons we could learn on this trip.
About an hour after our discussion we had an exciting toilet flood. Water was flowing full-force onto a tile floor for at least 10 minutes and made its way into several of the heroes’ bedrooms. From elevating air mattresses to finding spare towels to repurposing pool tools to squeezing ater out of towels in a mop ringer to finding a fan, most heroes were very resourceful and helpful in a last-minute emergency. Watching them work as a team and genuinely HAVE FUN while cleaning up a big mess was a highlight for me.
Heroes stayed up way too late every night, but especially the last night. We had to leave our house at 3:40 to get to the airport on time. I couldn’t resist a few pictures showing their exhaustion.
Heroes each had their own highlights of the trip. Monday at school they will have a chance to record lessons they learned throughout the whole experience. These were a few of the highlights from the other parents on the trip:
“My parents are fine with me ____________ but if you’re going to call them, talk to my dad.” Said by many heroes
Overhearing them talk about how little they brushed their teeth over the week.
The literal “Hot potato game”
Catching lizards and frogs in the house
The many, many ways heroes can entertain themselves with a bottle of water
The invention of every car game ever: 123 trashes, bingo, cherry, lime, barbie, blueberry, passing marshmallows, traffic FUN
I’ve never seen a swarm of locusts but I have seen Middle Schoolers descending on a table of food – I imagine it to be the same.
This trip was a huge investment of time and money. But as I reflect on it, not only did the heroes have a blast, but it also provided real life and learner driven experience that could never be replicated in any scenario. It was worth every hour I didn’t sleep 🙂
If the first week of Session 6 is any indication of what is to come for the rest of the session, we are noticing that it is going to be an awesome session full of learning and fun!