9/13-9/19
We are four weeks into the school year now. Can you believe it?! In a learner driven environment every day is filled with spontaneity and surprises. And yet, there are some routines and consistency that help the heroes form good habits.
In the Spark Studio… this week we were busy fine tuning our procedures and routines. Heroes know what to expect when they come to school in the morning, where to find the schedule for the day, and appropriate studio expectations. Before we leave for the day we always clean up our studio and get it ready for the next day. One of the promises the heroes made to each other was to clean up after themselves. Heroes are building a habit of being accountable for the mess they make.
At CHOICE we are all about heroes making their own decisions. In the Spark Studio sometimes the heroes receive a little more guidance in making their decisions. Still, the core belief that the heroes are capable of making decisions themselve is not lost on these young ones. This week we heard heroes say things like, “Would you like some help?” before jumping in to assist. These young heroes are building a habit of making their own decisions and trying to allow others to do the same thing.
At CHOICE we are also all about heroes solving their own problems. In the Spark Studio, sometimes the heroes receive more guidance in solving their problems. With so much collaboration, challenges between heroes are common. When our heroes come to us with a problem we ask them “Would you like to solve this on your own, or would you like some help?” IF they would like some help we listen to them and repeat what we hear them say. After listening we ask them if they have a solution or if they would like some options for solutions. If they would like some options, we brainstorm together and they choose their final solution. One day this week after brainstorming solutions with a guide, a hero said, “Oh, that makes me think of this other solution! I think I’ll do that.” These young heroes are building a habit of problem solving.
One of the highlights this week was our scissor salad. We talked about how to correctly use scissors and cut up paper to make our salad. Ask your hero about our scissor song. Afterwards we glued our salad pieces in the shape of our names. It was a blast! These young heroes are building the habit of fine motor skills.
In the Fire Studio it can take a bit longer to form habits. The heores are older and have been set in their ways a bit longer. There are high expectations. Forming the habit of following their Rules of Engagement during discussions is a stuggle. We still have some decently disorderly discussions; and then they have some beautiful and cooperative discussions. Forming the habit of working hard when no one is “making you” is a monumental challenge for many heroes; and yet when a hero gets in the habit of working hard because they want to, it is a thrilling accomplishment.
Other habits are forming quickly for the Fire Studio. They swiftly formed the habit of being one another’s allies and helpers. It doesn’t matter the activity, they are so ready and willing to help one another. The “one room school house” is such a gift in this regard. Even after being taught to “ask the teacher” for years, they are rapidly breaking the habit of asking the guides questions and are turning to one another. It is awesome to behold.
The habit of mentoring the Spark Studio heroes came just as quickly. The Fire Studio jumps on every opportunity to mentor the Spark Studio heroes and they are kind and patient with them. This week they hosted the Spark heroes for a “field day” with early American games.
In an effort to increase literacy in the studio Kara begins each Quest time with a short read aloud while the heroes engage in a variety of handiwork. The heroes have enthusitically adopted this habit (even ending lunch a few minutes early). They were completely engrossed in the hand stitching this week.
One of the highlights this week was completing our Lip Dub. This task takes a tremendous amount of cooperation, compromise, negotiation, and organization. Completing the Lip Dub is a tremendous feat — and mostly a lot of fun. Whenever the heroes choose to show you their video, you are in for a treat! Since it was a video we don’t have any pictures. Instead, here are some pictures of other fun moments in the studio. Without doubt, the heroes have 100% built the habit of having fun together.
And of course our first field trip was another highlight. We try to expose our heroes to countless different experiences and opportunities in order to allow each of them to find their passions and callings. As we wandered through the museum letting the heroes guide us, there were some who were completely engrossed and could have stayed for days. There were others who were fine to leave when we did and who had a hard time stomaching the incredible Egyptian mummies. We love all the different interests and personalities of the heroes.
One of the five core beliefs of CHOICE is that “Clear thinking leads to wise decisions. Wise decisions result in good habits. Good habits build character. Character determines destiny.” After only four weeks these incredible young people are building good habits – and there is so much more to come!