Weekly Updates
Preschool / Spark Studio (PS) Update
Settled Back In
As the PS Studio gathers post-MCO for the third week, friendships have been made, there is a renewed thirst for play and the learning and work levels have reached a new high.
Time Management
The PS Eagles were looking forward to purchasing items from the Eagle Bucks Store with the Eagle Bucks that they had earned throughout the week, but they chose to play with hand-cut confetti to celebrate. As a result, the Studio ended up in a mess and the confetti clean-up took 15 minutes, so there was no time to open the EB Store.
The PS Eagles agreed on 2 things: clean-up took too long, and no more confetti next Friday.
Recording Quest with Mr. Aaron
The PS Eagles are slowly but surely taking on more responsible for their work. This week they created their own worksheets for themselves to practise work that they felt they needed practise in. They were so proud of their work, “I made my own worksheet!” one PS Eagle proudly declared.
Team Formation Process
This week there was more conflict between the PS Eagles compared to in the previous few weeks they have been physically back. This is a normal aspect of the team formation process, called ‘storming’, and it’s when a relatively new group is trying to adapt to a newcomer. After the differences of opinion, the next stage will be ‘norming’.
In order to equip and empower the young Eagles to be problem solvers, the PS Eagles were guided through the conflict resolution process. They also held peace talks amongst themselves.
Elementary Studio (ES) Update
Welcome Back to the Studio!
We’re back! The energy levels were HIGH when the ES Eagles greeted each other on Wednesday morning after having not seen each other for nearly 4 months! The first order of business was to whack the coronovirus to show that we can beat it. Everyone had so much fun releasing their pent up energy and frustration from having been at home and mostly indoors for 4 months and their reward for taking the virus down … candy!
Project
It was the first time using a watercolour paper for most of the ES Eagles and manipulating watercolour to create the desired effect was an interesting experience. Some ES Eagles were very happy with their results, while other felt they needed more practise with the medium. Everyone put in their best effort to manipulate the watery medium and really had fun creating their favourite popsicle flavours.
PE
Non-contact PE is actually a lot of fun! The ES Eagles got creative and played spray water bottle tag, getting a good workout in at the upstairs play area.
Townhall
During the first Townhall back from the MCO, the ES Eagles reinstated free time, addressed the distraction with Prodigy and brought back Studio Maintenance. At first, Arjun was reluctant to chair the Townhall Meeting, but he eventually agreed to do it. Afterwards, he mentioned that it was actually quite fun.
The ES Eagles had an honest discussion about Prodigy. Some battled over banning it outside of Core Skills Time, while others complained that it was causing a distraction.
Zulayca’s Birthday Celebration
The first birthday celebration back at the Studio was for Zulayca, who turned 11. The ES Eagles celebrated with her in a treasure hunt to find her birthday gift! They had so much fun … especially since each clue came with the reward of candy. Happy birthday Zulayca! You’re growing into a strong, confident, amazing young lady!
Middle Studio (MS) Update
Inviting Prospective Middle Schoolers to Civilization Discussions
Prospective MS Eagles were invited to join Civilization Discussions. To gain entry, they had to post an entry ticket which involved research and taking a stand on questions like: If you had been Harry Truman, would you have given the order to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki or not? The MS Eagles who were chosen to participate then engage with deeper questions relating to nuclear weapons and other possibilities in today’s world. For example, a question like: Given that many more countries have even more atomic weapons today, do you believe we will see a nuclear bomb detonated in anger in our lifetime?
These questions pushed the MS Eagles to face the hard decisions that world leaders had to make to shape our world today. The MS Eagles led the Discussion entirely on their own with clear thinking and multiple points-of-view.
Working Out Working Out
PE plans are still being worked out, so meanwhile the MS Eagles continued exploring strength exercises and aerobics through YouTube. Some MS Eagles also tried pull-up bars and breathing exercises. We wonder what’s next?
Apprenticeships
The MS Eagles have been resourceful, finding Apprenticeships through various networks. One MS Eagle even introduced InsideSherpa! The opportunities are plentiful, even with all the MCO restrictions.
What Happens When Things Get Out of Hand
Some MS Eagles were playing extended games of Kahoots during Launch and the Guide challenged them to re-commit to their work. Everyone went out of the Studio to find immediate solutions, and within 45 minutes, they replied. The MS Eagles know their intentions and sometimes it’s just a matter of remembering them and re-committing to them. We expect plenty from our Eagles because we trust they can figure things out on their own. Then it was back to quiet and calm work. A typical Friday afternoon.
