Session 6, Week 2
As we sat in the rotunda of the Capitol building for the Elementary School Constitution Bee, the keynote speaker asked an opinion question. Two children from two other schools raised their hand to answer, and 7 out of 8 of our heroes raised their hands. The opening conversation was dominated by CHOICE heroes because they had opinions on a question and weren’t afraid of sharing. Later on as the bee was in progress, a mother of a student from another school asked about CHOICE. As I described our philosophy I could see her physically cringe. I commented on it and we laughed as she shared how she couldn’t handle that. We talked about how great it is to have different types of schools for different families. Her last comment however was, “I bet your students are really prepared for life though.” How did heroes prepare for life this week?
Spark Heroes are preparing for life as they learn and practice: empathy, seeing another’s point of view, and giving and receiving feedback.
As guides, we are always excited to use quest themes to introduce other skills in a new package. This session we have been “detectives” as we look for clues to see how someone else feels, and imagine being in someone else’s shoes.
We acted out being witnesses with different points of view. When we put our stories together it gave us more information. Now when working things out, heroes have been on a mission to first understand the other person’s point of view, and then come up with a solution.
Quest challenge papers are now, “mission reports’ and heroes receive warm and cool feedback from peers instead of just being checked off. As I watch the process I see confident heroes show their work to others and graciously listen to their opinion. Sometimes they get excited about the ideas that come from the cool feedback, and sometimes they leave feeling just as pleased with their work as they were beforehand. As I watch these young heroes carry out the process so respectfully, I can’t help but wonder how efficient companies would be if all the adults had been practicing these skills from an early age!
One time this week, a guide was helping two learners work out a disagreement. As they worked things out the conversation between the two of them turned from angry to remorseful. They were ready to feel better. About this same time, on the other side of the studio a learner accidentally dropped a box of alphabet letters. It was quite a spill. The two learners jumped at the opportunity to serve and help someone. They felt better after helping! CHOICE heroes help others simply because it feels good – what beautiful life preparation!
If a Spark hero gets injured, they help each other. If someone is sad, they help each other. If someone needs a friend, they help each other. Spark heroes are preparing for life by finding strength and support from, and giving strength and support to, the people around them. We are always learning from one another.
Not to mention the fine motor skills, gross motor skills, out of the box thinking, math, reading and all the writing that the heroes do to prepare for life each day.
Without a “teacher” to please or a report card to grade them, Fire Studio heroes are making their Core Skills goals and plans based on their own values and passions. And for heroes not yet valuing the completion of some badges or goals, growth is still happening in formative ways. Several heroes who did not value setting or completing goals or earning core skill badges last year, are very enthusiastic about it this year. For example, a Fire Studio hero ran up enthusiastically and shared that she had earned her full math badge and her full writer’s gym badge. “Last year, I didn’t even earn my ½ way math badge.” She was so happy being able to see her own progress. By holding the direction and pace of their education in their own hands, Fire Studio heroes are prepared for a lifelong love of learning.
This Thursday morning opened with Town Hall. The guide set the day’s schedule, and quietly turned to her own work. Council members played the transition song, gathered the studio, began Town Hall on time. In Town hall they listened intently to each other’s comments or suggestions, offering their agreements or counter arguments in orderly, respectful ways. They followed a timer and took votes when applicable. Some votes changed their studio system slightly, others didn’t. From the time heroes arrived at school until 8:50, no adult intervened or even spoke in the Fire Studio. How prepared are these young people to take problem solving and communication into their own hands rather than wait for an authority figure to call them to action?
Life can be challenging, difficult and overwhelming. The Detective Quest is pretty challenging, difficult and possibly overwhelming. We have heard “This is impossible!” more than usual. It makes us smile when we hear this, because in just minutes to maybe a day later – the Hero has found it is NOT impossible. They either figured it out on their own, or asked another to help, or just started breaking the steps down and taking it one at a time until it was done – choosing to take action rather than shutting down. Talk about a skill to be used throughout life!
Forensics is a word we are trying to become familiar with daily, it is a new discovery for the FS Heroes. Fingerprints, Chromatography, Foot printing – they are really getting into forensics. What was a pleasant surprise was how focused they were in writing their own mystery stories; the Heroes could not wait to share with others. Foot print casts took longer than planned which cut into Studio Maintenance time dramatically, and some expressed worry it would be “impossible” to finish. We all gave a 1-2-3 Clap! and set off with a goal to work together – and the hustle with smiles and good music playing concluded in one of the cleanest SM sessions to date. Again, just one step at a time and next thing they know it’s done. This is why we smile when we hear the phrase impossible. 😀
DELTA Studio heroes are being challenged to FINISH the year STRONG as they do their apprenticeships, complete mini-quests, finish up their badge plans, and prepare for survival camp. After trying to do a 3-legged race with a different goal than their partner, they discussed the importance of all heroes keeping the commitment they’ve all made to honor their studio contracts. They were then given a tool to enable those heroes wanting to work quietly to respectfully ask those who might need to move their bodies and vocal cords to leave the studio until they are ready to settle into work. It’s amazing to see teenaged heroes assert themselves to their peers and defend the environment they are trying to create in their studio. Instead of complaining to an adult, heroes routinely take matters they care about into their own hands. That is life preparation!
DELTA Studio heroes will be taking on a leadership role at survival camp this year and enjoyed coming up with ways they could mentor and contribute. You never know when real life might require a well-built fire, a well-carved wooden spoon, a well-tied knot, or a well-dressed wound – or teaching and leading others! Either way, these heroes will be prepared!
As I examine my life and the role relationships play, I often wonder if there is any more important life preparation than that of learning to build and foster healthy relationships. DELTA heroes spend time every week playing games and doing tribe building challenges in order to practice relationships. This week we also took a moment to think about our San Diego trip and write Apology notes and Thank You notes to one another stemming from the trip. Heroes commented on how they appreciated receiving and reading them, but even more they commented on how good it felt to write them. Meaningfully saying “I’m sorry” and “Thank you” is preparing for a happy life.
Time is precious. We don’t watch movies often. But at times, movies can be powerful and watching Freedom Writer’s for Civ this week was powerful. Here is what the few heroes I asked said they learned or thought from the movie: “I thought about different points of view about racial jokes.” “I realized how much I don’t about the world.” “I have heard how bad it was for black people “back then” but it was awful to watch. I hope it is different today.” “Interesting to get a little understanding about gangs.” “It helped me understand someone else’ perspective.”
I will end with where I started, the Constitution Bee.
For both the Fire Studio and DELTA Studio it was an experience full of life preparation. Those who chose to do it opted in. They set their own study times. They organized their own study sessions. They learned far more about the Constitution than I know today. They supported one another when they got an answer wrong, and celebrated together when they were correct. They bought their own dinner. They paid their own tips. They learned you get sick when all you eat is junk food. They had a marvelous time! I am grateful that our heroes get these experiences to prepare for life not just once a year, but every day! I agree with my new friend, CHOICE heroes will be well prepared for life!