With new quests focused on life in the Spark and Fire studios and the DELTA heroes exploring a new way of life in Guatemala, this week has been a grand adventure!
The Spark Studio kicked off this session by introducing our study of plant life…botany! The learners loved observing and exploring a collection of plants, real and fake. They are exploring the different parts of leaves, flowers, trees, and plants.
We discussed how scientists record their observations so they can remember what has happened and look for patterns. They started recording beans they “planted” in zipper bags on the windows and created their own phenology charts representing the changes in each season.
After these discussions we reflected on our own hero’s journey this school year and discussed the question ‘How have we returned home having changed?’ and ‘What was it that changed?’ … our Session 6 question! We recognized too many changes to mention them all, but here are two:
One, reading and writing. Many of the new Montessori works require a great deal of writing. Learners were overheard this week talking about how much more they have been drawing and how it’s made them start to like writing. One learner was doubled over in giggles as she read to a guide her adventure story of a man in a crayon factory. The improvement in reading is also astounding. Maybe even more importantly, many heroes are choosing to push themselves farther into their challenge zone to progress at an even faster rate.
Two, self-governance and responsibility. Learners are consistently rocking studio maintenance. They quickly get into their groups and clean up their materials better than ever before. Studio maintenance is an important indicator of a willingness to work hard, collaborate and take responsibility for your own space. Similarly, part of our schedule includes a 10-minute practice of phonemic awareness exercises. The guide who usually leads this was gone this week. The learners stepped up and led the exercises themselves with great success.
In the Fire Studio the Game of Life has been a roller coaster ride so far. So much fun taking personality tests and researching careers. Electing CEO’s and CFO’s and applying for jobs to create new business ventures has resulted in tears and cheers and opportunities to talk and work at resolutions while the daily business world keeps moving forward. The heroes have been brilliant at jumping in to learn their jobs and responsibilities as well as trying new hard tasks like using a ledger. With the Children’s Business Fair looming on the horizon, the excitement of connecting Quest challenges with the real world has been enlightening. The start of the new session always comes with some new challenges, but it also comes with some big wins like some Heroes fully participating in Quest for the first time.
During Core Skills time, heroes were welcomed to the new session question by diving into a parable of a thirsty desert traveler discovering how to get water from an abandoned well. While munching on dry and salty crackers, heroes discussed— What could the desert represent? The Items the traveler used to eventually get the water? What could the water represent in this parable? How was the traveler changed after they drank the water?
Heroes then thought of ways they have changed on their travels through this school year and enjoyed a refreshing and transformative drink of cold water.
And the changing isn’t over yet! Heroes jumped into squad challenges,
P.E.,
and new session goals
all with excitement for the new adventure during Session 6.
The DELTA Studio trip to Guatemala is as great an adventure as they hoped for! We are halfway through and are having an absolutely glorious time! We started in Tikal exploring the ancient Maya ruins and the beautiful scenery and wildlife.
We traveled next to Lake Atitlan to explore some of the sights, sounds and flavors of modern-day Guatemala. A few highlights:
Fun and random statue gardens,
Cliff jumping,
walking the streets,
graffiti lessons and practice
and delicious, traditional food at every meal
The heroes left all cell phones at home and thus are enjoying conversations, games, and quality time every step of the way.
We have traveled by plane, vans, tuk tuks and often boats, and always with excitement for the next adventure to come!
Whether heroes are in Guatemala or the U.S., San Marcos or Woods Cross, they are exploring and adventuring on this exhilarating game of life! We are lucky to adventure with them!