Weekly Updates

Preschool / Spark Studio (PS) Update

Work Time

Increase in Peer Learning

One Eagle was working on a workbook and was finding it a challenge. She approached another Eagle and asked for help. The second Eagle tried and needed to confirm, so she asked a third Eagle. The third Eagle gave the confirmation and the first Eagle found what she was looking for. The circle of peer learning is amazing to watch!

New Eagle on Trial

A new Eagle came to the Spark Studio for a week-long trial. They were new to the Studio’s work system, and a veteran PS Eagle swooped in to buddy him. There were some struggles along the way and the veteran Eagle looked frustrated, but he persevered and didn’t give up. Eventually the Eagle on trial managed to complete some work and at the same time the veteran Eagle was able to complete his work too. A win-win situation!

Through stories come visualisation, the opening of the mind, a springboard for discussion … and … oh yes … entertainment.

We hold ourselves up to lofty ideals … literally.

You’re outside, I”m inside, but we’re still friends. Used in role play, the play materials can be amazing learning tools.

Are they laying a foundation for a house? Creating a protective barrier? The possibilities are endless.

Ready, set, RUN! Unbridled joy on a child’s face shows that something is being done right.

So what if they’re climbing up slides the wrong way? Do you know how much they’re learning about physics??

It’s wobbly! It’s wobbly! So balance carefully or get down and fix it!

Elementary Studio (ES) Update

Eagle-led Exhibition Planning

Exhibition planning was an exercise in time management as the Eagles only managed to complete 60% of the planning, and even then they were late for the next activity.

The Eagles explained the reasons for being late, but freedom always comes with responsibility. We had a good discussion about it and the Eagles came up with the consequences of being late.

The Eagles are becoming more adept at planning, but they still need to work their time management and keeping on-topic during discussions. This is good training for future meeting management.

Think Out of the Box Thursday

Everyone has a different world-view and in this Eagle-led activity the ES Eagles had 15 minutes to be creative with their drawings. After the 15 minutes were up, they shared their creations with the group.

There was general excitement when the Eagles shared their world-views through their drawings: “Look at my sea urchin! We went on a birthday trip and we dive for a week.” Some Eagles declined to share, but they listened attentively to their friends. Constructive feedback was shared and received with open hearts and minds. All in all, the Eagles learned a little bit more about their friends.

“It’s kind of easy this time” “No! I prefer maybe only with only a ‘line’ on the paper.” Everybody has the right to voice their opinions and preferences and be taken seriously, although they may not agree with each other.

“Is that a chicken?” There is always room for interpretation in everything we experience. “I am missing my friend.” Emotions that might be hard to deal with can be safely brought out through art.

“Is that a pineapple?” “Hmmmm … what is that?” Having the artist right there is a great opportunity to learn the motivations behind the art.

“Crooked rocket?” Melting clocks, anyone? “Are you eating the carrot or is the carrot eating you?” So much powerful discussion could arise from this drawing and interpretation!

Vincent van Gogh – Expressionism

The ES Eagles started project time listening to Don McLean’s ‘Starry Starry Night’ before the painting session. Their reactions to the song varied; some were drawn to it: “Oh no! Don’t listen to it as it will be stuck in your head forever!”, “I kind of like this song … it tells us ALL about VVG.” while others felt overwhelming emotion: “Oh! It is a sad song.” Some Eagles were more stimulated by the artwork: “Ohh! Look at that painting!”

The Eagles had drafted their paintings on a4 paper the day before, and they applied the expressionistic techniques that they had learned about when studying van Gogh’s style of art to their paintings – object examination, colour application and brush strokes.

As usual, the Eagles gave praise for what they appreciated: “Wow! You can draw really well!” as well as constructive criticism to improve: “Pay attention to your brushstrokes!”, “Too much paint!!”

The Guides would like to note that clean-up time was entirely Eagle-led and they did an excellent job with no reminders or help at all from the Guides. Good job cleaning diligently, ES Eagles!

“Starry starry night, Paint your palette blue and gray Look out on a summer’s day With eyes that know the darkness in my soul” Art and music … conduits to deeper explorations, experiences and emotions.

In creation, it’s OK to get messy … there is always a chance to clean up.

A riot of colour, a myriad of subjects and a multitude of styles represent a cross-section of the ES Eagles. None are alike, nor strive to be.

Pablo Picasso – Cubism, Analytical Cubism and Synthetic Cubism

The Eagles were required to research into Cubism this week. They are pretty adept at doing KWL by now, and most of them completed the research process on their own or with their buddies. They were very proud of this achievement. One Eagle declared, “KWL? So easy!” while another were confident: “I already know how to do it. I do not need your help!”

A lot was discovered about Picasso: “His name is super long … I read for you … Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso … Hahahahaha!”.

Another Eagle loved that Picasso seemed destined for greatness in art: “His first word was ‘lapiz’. Pencil!”.

Another Eagle’s idea of Picasso’s body of work was widened: “I thought Picasso only did Cubism. I did not know that he made sculptures and other paintings!’

One Eagle even delved into the psychology behind Picasso’s work: “I wonder how his head functioned when he painted using Analytical Cubism techniques. It’s amazing!”

After diving deeper into the 2 types of Cubism, the Eagles were able to identify the characteristics Analytical and Synthetic Cubism. Next week, the Eagles will use this knowledge to work on a self portrait.

Which one is Analytical Cubism and which one is Synthetic Cubism?

Jasmine’s Birthday Celebration

Colourful mini-cupcakes and friends willing to join in the fun … what more could anyone need? Happy birthday, Jasmine. Keep on being you and you will change the world!

MS-Led Kickboxing

The MS Eagles with higher freedom levels were allowed to choose what they wanted to do with their time, and the offered to assist Master Lee in leading the kickboxing session. They came into the ES Studio and guided the ES Eagles to sit quietly in reflection while waiting for Master Lee to arrive. Thank you, MS Eagles, for showing leadership and modeling good behavior for the younger Eagles!

Inter-Studio interaction benefits everybody. The MS Eagles hone their skills in how to communicate with children younger than them. The ES Eagles find mentors to look up to and emulate.

Middle Studio (MS) Update

Visiting a Cemetery

The MS Eagles visited Nirvana Memorial Garden and Memorial Park in Seminyeh to have the experience of being in a place of rest. There, they visited the graves of 2 Malaysian Heroes – Bai Guang, the singer and actress, as well as Datuk Sim Mow Yu, the Educationalist and renowned Chinese calligraphist.

A few of them had never been to a memorial park and it wasn’t what they had expected. One Eagle said, “I didn’t expect the cemetery to be so big, unique and peaceful. I also didn’t know that you could have a living tombstone that is feng shui-ed to give you longevity and good health.”

This trip into the little-seen world of funerals and memorial gardens brought to light what happens after death. Aside from observing how one is laid to rest and the love and respect with which it is done, the Eagles also immersed themselves in the atmosphere of a memorial garden and, on the practical side, saw the commercial aspect of death.

Visiting a grave – the MS Eagles the somber yet loving experience of visiting a grave and it brought death to life for them in a very real sense. As much as possible, experience is always more tangible than being told or shown.

Bai Guang’s burial site. To be in the presence, albeit spiritual, of a Hero is always inspiring and brought home the idea that everyone, even Heroes, will come to pass.

The Eagles are inspired by the fact that Bai Guang’s music plays from 8am to 3pm to memorialise her legacy. What would they like their legacy to be?

At Datuk Sim Mow Yu’s burial site, the Eagles are again brought to contemplate what they want to leave behind for generations to come.

The Nirvana columbarium – an experience that could open up a deep dive into culture and history.

Enter the dragon (forgive the pun) columbarium. The Eagles saw how those who are cremated are laid to rest.

The Eagles were glad to see that even pets have a place in a house of love and respect – in the Pet Memorial Garden.

Acton Academy KL Campus-wide CNY and Valentine’s Fun Friday

It is rare to have all 3 Studios join together for something outside of Exhibition, so the campus-wide Lion Dance Challenge was very fun for the whole school! The lion dancers came from all the Studios and the whole event was so fun and silly that everyone wanted to join in the high-energy competition! It was an activity filled with laughter, at the same time highlight how blessed we are to be able to celebrate all types of festivals together.

“How does a Dragon dance?” In doing something, The Eagles find more meaning as opposed to just watching and hearing about it.

The ‘Sleepy Lion’ Challenge Lions of all sizes all together – why can’t we all work together like this?

The Sad Lion Challenge. Expressing emotion through dance.

The drummer sets the tone of the performance and psyches the crowd up.

Fun Friday Movie – Lion King

The PS and ES Studios stayed together to watch a classic movie – The Lion King. Many emotions are highlighted by this movie, pride, honour in death, family ties, finding oneself, atonement. Movies are always a great way to highlight things which we aren’t comfortable to talk about.