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CHOICE is a daily experience and experiment of freedom within boundaries. The older the heroes, the larger the boundaries. With Miss Hannah gone this week, I had the opportunity to spend more time in the Spark Studio. I thoroughly enjoyed more time with the Spark heroes and enjoyed watching what the Fire Studio did with their widened boundaries.

We joined both studios together for our morning launches. On Wednesday, we discussed something that happens every day in both studios, Core Skills/Work Cycle. The older heroes shared their wisdom with the younger heroes while answering the question: What advice would you give the Spark heroes for Core Skills/Work Cycle? The two most repeated answers were: Choose wisely where you sit; don’t sit by someone who will be distracting. And, work on something that is in your challenge zone. The Spark heroes watched. Without guidance or coercion the Fire Studio heroes moved into work cycle and were silently engaged in challenging work within 3 minutes (we timed them!).

After seeing that example, the Spark heroes quickly chose to go to work on works that were in their challenge zones. We actually took extra time on that work cycle because they were so engaged (and I lost track of time!). I watched one hero work the entire cycle on a math work that she has been stuck on all year… she mastered it! I watched another hero focus on a sensorial work involving shapes that was extremely tricky. After figuring it out, he went over and explained it to another hero who was stuck. I watched a hero who had her head down in tears and frustrations, lift up her head, wipe her tears and try again until she mastered her work. I watched two heroes who have struggled a bit with Mr. Resistance and language, march into the language room first thing and work longer than usual. I watched a hero try a new multi-step writing work. It was a longer work and challenged her writing abilities, but she stuck with it until she completed it. I watched a hero engage in a math work that takes multiple days to “master” it. He enjoyed it and didn’t worry at all that he didn’t get a badge. I watched heroes invite one another to the peace table when conflict arose. At times heroes needed reminders of their boundaries: “Which of these works would challenge your brain?” or “This is work cycle, this is your chance to challenge your brain, what work are you going to chose?” When given those boundaries it was awesome to see what and how they chose to use their freedom. At the end of the work cycle we celebrated what each hero had done that most challenged their brain. I LOVED witnessing how excited and proud they each were that they had challenged their brains.

Dance parties after completing Studio Maintenance…

While I was enjoying my special time in the Spark Studio, that meant the boundaries of the Fire Studio were even larger; there was not a guide in the studio! I remember when I was in school and the teacher left the classroom and the goal was to get away with as much as we could before he/she returned! How different these heroes are. It didn’t matter whether or not there was a guide in there. Activities remained the same. They started their Town Hall right on time. They were maximally engaged in their Core Skills. They transitioned into practicing their play and ran their own play practice. They transitioned into Civ (and even came and got the Civ guide). I walked into a “Resolution Room” where I heard the mediator say “Now tell ______ what you heard and how you felt?” It was awesome! Their ability to run their own studio and choose to challenge themselves in the absence of any adult, was beautiful to behold. These heroes own their learning. Their boundaries are large and they use their freedom wisely. [I don’t have any pictures of it because I wasn’t in there!]

They enjoyed a poetry tea party during Writer’s Workshop:

During quest, heroes enjoyed the opportunity to invite visitors into their studio. The heroes, with a few weeks of experience running studio businesses and plans in place for the businesses they’ll run themselves, were able to talk to several entrepreneurs who started and run businesses of their own. The roads of trial they described were relatable to the heroes, whether it was fear of the unknown, seemingly insurmountable setbacks, financial woes, or indecision and having to solve problems over and over again.

Freedom is a precious gift. The ability to use freedom wisely is a precious responsibility. I am amazed as I watch these young people use their freedom. I often remark to the heroes in awe, “You are so competent” or “You are so capable.” They are remarkable!