Weekly Updates
Preschool / Spark Studio (PS) Update
Density Experiment
the PS Eagles experimented with sugar, water and colours. How does one colour float on top of the other? They played around with pipettes, syringes and …. what a beautiful mess!
Free Fow Day
Friday was Free Flow Day when the PS Eagles chose what they wished to do. This was because they missed Thursday’s play session when they were so engrossed in the Sugar Density Experiment. There was lots of mess, lots of creativity, lots of curiosity, and also a lot of conflict resolution. Free Play is when Eagles learn to share toys, resources, and space, and respect each other’s boundaries.
Language used in conflict resolution:
I feel … when you do this xxxx.
I wish you will/won’t…
Large cardboard boxes are amazing free play items. Imagination abound.
Creation never came neat and tidy.
If I use my strength, can I cut into this box?
A few Eagles chose to work, even on Free Play Day.
The beautiful mess continued after lunch, and, all in, 4 rolls of tape were used up. Masking tape, duct tape, cloth tape, and more masking tape … they finished them all!
RO: I need more tape! The tape makes my sword harder and stronger. It won’t be soft and won’t break easy. Glue and paper cannot.
At the end of the session, they said, “Ms WW, can you buy more tapes, but not the red one (duct tape) because it’s soooooo sticky and hard to cut. We don’t want that. Looks like they know which type of tape suits their sword best!
How do we make our swords strong?
Yes, RO is right. His sword turned out to be hard and sturdy.
Saving Mr Daniel – Challenge 5
The PS Eagles were challenged to cross the river and pass the hula hoops in this installment of the ongoing Quest. Each Eagle was given a magical sheet which would turn into a rock when it touches the water/sea (the Circle Time Area). The Eagles had to move themselves from the grass area to the hula hoop on the other side of the hall. The challenging part was that their feet had to be on a magical sheet at all times. How did they solve the problem?
AYD: Pass me another piece of the magic sheet! Now everyone move forward!
RO: I put one foot here, and one foot here …. quick … the sheet will fly away!
With quick thinking and teamwork, they did it!
When they all got to the hula hoop, they needed to pass the hula hoop around – using only the string!
A: HEY! Stop pulling …. STOP PULLING!
There was a lot of laughter, chatter and encouragement … until A started to cry!
A: I said STOP PULLING but someone keeps pulling! I DON’T WANT TO PLAY ANYMORE!
A few Eagles also decided not to play, too, so the game was stopped. Ms WW explained that the mission had failed – why? What happened? What can we do differently? Everyone was in a defeated mood, and not willing to discuss the situation, so we went to play.
I can only step on the magic sheet.
Teamwork means working together to achieve a goal.
Sometimes teamwork can break down, but the trick is to come back to it later to try again.
Growth Mindset
Springing from the Quest Challenge, the PS Studio did a launch on Growth Mindset. Our brain is like a muscle – keep trying and we’ll get better.
The Eagles were given the option to try the challenge again. They agreed – and this time they did it! Some conversations that could take place at home about this experience:
- What was the biggest challenge you faced today?
- What can we do differently if we face the same challenge again tomorrow?
Coming back to the tricky challenge with fresh eyes and Growth Mindset works, for the most part.
Guiding Towards Independence
At Acton, the Guides don’t answer questions that the Eagles can easily find out for themselves. Instead they will ask the Eagles questions to guide them to come to their own answer.
ZY: When is Play Time?
WW: Do you know we have a schedule board in the Studio?
ZY: Yes.
WW: OK. Have you checked the schedule to find out when Play Time is?
ZY: Ohhhhhhhhh….
Off she went to check the schedule.
Show & Tell
IA, OR and AYV took on the responsibility to remember to bring their items to school while the other 2 Eagles forgot.
Show and Tell is not just for the Eagles to practise their presentation skills, it’s also a chance for the other Eagles to learn how to be a respectful audience.
A Hero’s Journey – IA’s Story
IA was seen to remain sitting at his seat while everyone was cleaning up. While Ms WW was clearing up, IA went to take her hand. She then realised that there were tears in his eyes.
IA: Ms WW, can you help me please?
Knowing IA, who can do everything himself and rarely asks for help, this was a big step for him to reach out.
IA led Ms WW to the table and explained that after 2-3 trials, his colours still mixed together and didn’t layer. He really wanted to see it work.
Ms WW showed him how to do it, and he tried … AND DID IT!
The joy, spark and achievement in his eyes was priceless. THIS is the bravery to ask for help and the courage and persistence to keep trying that Acton values and upholds. Well done, IA!
Being a Good Buddy
OR has been a great help and a kind friend. She showed her new fellow Eagle what she needed to do and how things work in the Studio. She has also invited ZY to join her and the other girls to play a few times. Ms WW gave her a Character Call-Out for being so patient and full of kindness. She has shown great leadership in how to be a friend. 3-2-1, clap, OR!
Rainbow!
Some of the girls ‘found’ a rainbow, and were so excited! Experiments and discussion ensued…
LOOK LOOK LOOK! A RAINBOW!!!
OR: The rainbow is coming from my dress!
ZY: Catch it and see what happens! My fingers! My fingers!
AYV: The rainbow comes from water!! Now it’s on my shoes! *giggle
OR: Let’s flood it with water – it might get bigger!
The girls started to pour tons and tons of water onto the rainbow.
Suddenly AYV had an idea:
Let’s move the rainbow somewhere else!
The girls went to get SHOVELS! They wanted to move the rainbow onto the shovels and move it elsewhere. After a few attempts, they gave up. What creative solutions!
Special Celebrations
A surprise birthday cake for Ms WW ! The Eagles sang Happy Birthday and wished Ms WW with their warmth and happy energy. Thank you for Guiding the Eagles with love, compassion and passion!
Weekly Elementary Studio (ES) Update
Around the Corner – Exhibition
This week, the Eagles worked hard on their upcoming Exhibition – planning their videos and finalizing their Writer’s Workshops. The stakes have been upped this Sprint, as the Eagles have been challenged to complete a minimum amount of work before they can qualify for the Exhibition. This spurred the Eagles on, and their Squad Leaders kept the bar high, making sure their members completed their work so they could qualify for Exhibition.
Acton Academy Film Fest
Congratulations to the MSLP Studio for winning the Acton Academy Film Fest MSLP (Non-United States Region) category!
The ES Eagles reflected on what they’ve learned from the Film Fest and what they would do differently for next year’s competition.
“We need to include more props.”
“Their lip-syncing was good, we need to improve on that.”
“More dancing.”
“Choose songs that don’t have too much noise/too loud.”
“We could use a bigger outdoor space, we should include the outdoor space as well.”
When asked which Acton Academy they would like to visit, some of their answers were:
“Acton Academy Alpharetta.”
“Any of the Actons in the United States.”
“I don’t want to visit any, I like the Acton Academy here.”
Congratulations to Acton Academy Honduras on winning the Acton Academy Film Fest ES (Non-United States Region) category!
See you at the Exhibition!