Session 1, Week 5
Session One is not easy. For returning heroes there is some repetition to creating contracts each year that may not be their favorite. For new heroes, there is some confusion and overwhelm to creating contracts. Not to mention that learning a whole new vocabulary is challenging – especially when others seem to know what the words mean. Some heroes are still learning how to use their voice in a crowd or even in a one-on-one relationship. Setting yearlong and weekly goals with parent mentors takes time and is challenging to figure out. For the older heroes even getting signed into all the right learning programs at the correct levels is also a time consuming work during session one. In every studio there is messiness to emerging routines. All of these processes are combined with the heroes getting to know one another and striving to unite and build their tribe. Yes, Session 1 is challenging. Perhaps that is why it is so beautiful to see it start to unfold and settle into a rhythm.
Spark Heroes are really settling into their daily routine:
1- Montessori work cycle. Heroes know the system of setting their goals and working on their challenges. I love hearing how they choose to be challenged and what they are learning from the materials they use.
2- Spark heroes love their hour of outside time every day. Heroes explore, build, and imagine with a wide variety of random objects such as wooden pallets, jump ropes, kitchen dishes, even using the weeds along the back fence! This session we have seen sailboats, restaurants, a choreographed performance, forts, and a cat rescue. And of course we can’t forget the super popular GaGa Ball pit! Anytime conflict arises, we use that to practice working through disagreements.
3- Heroes look forward to their afternoon CHOICE work cycle. Several heroes have enjoyed the music and theater room most days, while some prefer to play card games. All heroes have found value in creating with our upcycle materials. Some of the creations include paper cutting designs, birthday cards, popsicle stick people and animals, and lots of process art and glue gun use.
4- The heroes have been working together to figure out how best to work together during their cleanup to get everything done in the allotted time. It is a joy to hear them reflect and notice ways to improve and acknowledge to the improvement we’ve already seen these first few weeks.
Along with being settled into their daily routine, Spark heroes are also settling into other aspects of their studio:
At the beginning of the school year our discussions were a bit shorter. Not many had developed the courage to comment in discussions. Now our discussions run almost independently. When the Sparks can clearly perceive that there is a split vote, they ask to “do the convincing thing” where they argue their perspective and try to persuade the other side to join them.
This week we celebrated a birthday. The months of the year were placed around the sun. They were out of order. As the heroes (1) discovered that the months weren’t in the right order and (2) worked to fix the problem they were genuinely helping each other in a positive, healthy way. It was like each hero had a clue, a piece of the puzzle.
Spark heroes are constantly helping one another. But now, we have other heroes coming in to help as well! Fire Studio heroes have started working on their mentoring badge. They come into the Spark studio and support a Spark that is learning to read. It’s beautiful to see this process up and going already in Session 1.
The Fire Studio had an exciting week! They had their final World Summit (combined studio) meeting and completed the work of forming all their contracts and accountability systems. This takes a lot of time and patience from all! Well-done, FS heroes!! Heroes celebrated with an Olympic Games field day on Monday and a popsicle party on Thursday. Heroes look forward to signing their contracts and showing off this accomplishment at their first exhibition next week.
Heroes are getting the hang of weekly Civ. Most are remembering to do it so they can enjoy the super fun Civ activities on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Heroes are settling into a routine of Core Skills. While there is still some work to be done in goal setting (figuring out what is the appropriate number of pages to read and math lessons to complete each week), most heroes are jumping into their work during Core Skills and working hard.
Guides are already less necessary. With a guide out of town for the last few weeks, the Fire Studio was guided by DELTA heroes (who were amazing!) and other guides. Last Thursday and Monday were awesome. I guided both the DELTA studio and the Fire Studio. Why did that work? Because I knew that all I needed to do was prepare launches (short Socratic discussions) and then I knew this Fire Studio (& the DELTA Studio) wouldn’t need me after that… and it was so true. After I launched in the Fire Studio, they went to “work” on their Quest tournament games. They ran their own tournament and games without needing any adults. I walked back and forth between studios simply to enjoy watching them.
This week the DELTA Studio explored their 5 individual commitments of what it means to be part of the CHOICE DELTA Studio. Many commitments they are already settled into and they are living with excellence. A few of the commitments have opportunities for growth.
– Building an inclusive tribe
– Respect! The Studio & our tribe
– 200% Accountability (holding myself and others to the standard we believe in)
– Using my freedom to work hard and grow
– Mentoring others – helping them grow
– Actively seeking & developing my callings and gifts
Building an inclusive tribe: It is so fun to see how this studio has blended together. They are having their own mini games tournament each day. It is meaningful to watch them play games with all different heroes and enjoy each other so much. Perhaps my favorite moment of the week, was after watching the other schools’ lip dubs (so they could place their vote for the winner) the heroes begged to watch theirs again. At the conclusion of watching their lip dub (maybe for the 25th time), they erupted into applause and cheers. They love their lip dub and they love each other.
Respect! The Studio & our tribe: Respect for their studio was the basis for a few different discussions this week. Is being late a sign of disrespect? What about leaving supplies all over? Is using skateboards and balls around the Quest area, during Quest just disrespectful or also unsafe? These discussions led to a few new protocols, boundaries and a really clean and organized Quest area. Organization and cleanliness may not be a natural instinct for many young people at this age, but when given the challenge and a framework, they do incredible work!
A few examples we observed of not respecting our supplies and studio:
Watching them clean up the Quest area:
200% Accountability (holding myself and others to the standard we believe in). While there has been an increase in the excellence which heroes expect from one another when checking off their challenges, an increase in 200% Accountability has also come as the DS Council and Excellence Committees are up and running. They meet each week and it is awesome to see the responsibilities they are taking on and running with! Guides are becoming less and less necessary each day (although we enjoy it enough we will be sticking around 🙂 )
Using my freedom to work hard and grow: “What?? I thought it was still the very beginning of the year??” said one hero when it was brought up that we were already 5 weeks into the school year. With year and session goals all set, heroes can settle into the daily (and weekend) Core Skills now. Heroes discussed how some of them are getting so many of their goals done, while others acknowledged they needed to do a little more settling and less playing during Core Skills time. It is time to settle in!
Mentoring others – helping them grow: the “9th grade” Stewardship are well under way. Heroes are taking responsibility for each of their stewardships and are doing an amazing job. The younger heroes are actively pursuing their weekly Servant Leader hours. A learner driven school is run by young people, and through the Stewardships and Servant Leader badges, these young people are running it!
Actively seeking & developing my callings and gifts: It has taken us all a minute to figure out our new Quest system. This week we were able to verbalize and systematize it. Each hero is trying to determine their own Quest. Truly a Quest they are interested in and care about. We created a template for the hero and Bob to fill out together that outlines their quest, its steps and materials. There is no session deadline for a quest. Each heroes quest will be different lengths. Ask your hero what Quest they are going on right now!
Yes, Session 1 is challenging and messy, but it sure is an inspiring process to witness, as well as a growing process to take part in— young people creating solutions for every-day studio challenges, building a lasting culture of learning and fun together, and offering respect to each other while they discuss (and sometimes disagree about) and make lasting decision. And now, with most processes in place, the goals set, and the culture growing, heroes are in a rhythm and are really ready to take off in Session Two!