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Allies and helpers are an essential part of every Hero’s Journey. Sometimes an ally or helper may be your entire studio. Sometimes an ally or helper may be a designated “running partner” – someone to work with and hold you accountable. Whatever name(s) the studios are using, the habit of using and being allies and helpers is already being forged as a strong foundation throughout the entire school.
The Spark Studio… saw moments of teamwork all throughout the week. One particular moment was when we were cleaning up our loose parts area outside. One learner suggested we pick up the tractor tire and stand it against the railing. Everyone wanted to join in. With everyone’s help they discovered it was STILL too heavy. They asked if I would help too. They problem solved, made sure everyone was on the safe side of the tire, and together we lifted that tire! It was a triumphal moment of united joy! A great example of being one another’s allies and helpers!
Community expectations are important to being allies and helpers. At Acton Academies, contracts provide those community expectations and are an integral part to an Acton experience. The Spark Studio created and made their contract of promises to each other this week; some of which include being nice, keeping our hands to ourselves, and respecting others’ space. We celebrated and cemented our promises by signing our names and placing our painted handprints on our contract. Come see it at our first exhibition!
We also introduced badges this week. Badges are a tool the Spark heroes use to plan and celebrate progress. This week we emphasized the process of making a plan, executing the plan and adapting as needed. Learners quickly discovered some badges were easily mastered and others would take more time. Celebrating mastery, progress and challenge rather than the number of badges is the goal!
Working on the mastery of badges is fun…
At the end of the week each learner got to share something they were proud of that pertained to school. Some were proud they made new friends, others that they persevered through a challenging work, and others were proud they earned a badge. Most importantly the heroes are learning that it doesn’t take external forces for them to be proud. You can be proud all by yourself without anyone telling you ‘Good job.’ That is a powerful growth mindset!
The Fire Studio… found their first running partners through an activity involving a variety of challenges that necessitated two people. The laughter was so fun to hear, and the discussion that followed about their running partners’ different strengths was insightful.
We used these official running partners as well as unofficial allies and helpers all week long as we started our Writer’s Workshop challenges, played more math games and civ games, and raced human chariots.
Their second Town Hall (ask your heroes what Town Hall is) yielded a brilliant vote that holds the guides accountable for answering questions and the heroes accountable for asking the guides questions. Listening to them vote to hold themselves accountable and then watching them step up and help one another solve problems in only their second week of school was delightful.
During Quest this week we explored aspects of Chinese culture. There were moments of tears and sadness when the tribe held each other accountable and voted that those heroes who chose not to particpate in the discussion, would not be able to participate in the activities. There were moments of confusion and frustration when the guides chose not to answer questions; followed by peace as heroes found help through their fellow travelers. And there were many moments of laughter and engagement as heroes chose to partipate with their fellow travelers in new experiences, possibly out of their comfort zone. (Ask your hero about our outstanding operatic solo!) All signs that the culture of allies and helpers is alive and well!
As we watch the heroes in both studios we see that when given the opportunity, being one other’s allies and helpers comes naturally and willingly. We as guides are challenged to become better running partners, teammates, squad members, and allies and helpers for our own fellow travelers as we learn from the heroes’ examples!