We enter the third session of the year, where Eagles dig deeper into Personal Finance.
As a learning community that continuously adapts, change is the only constant. One major source of inspiration has been the entire Acton Academy network of 40+ schools. Mr. Jia recently came back from a 3-week trip to the Acton Academy Owner’s Conference, as well as visits to our sister schools in U.S., Guatemala and El Salvador. Anything that moves ActonKL towards a “learner-driven community” and serving our Eagles’ growth and learning—we copy and adapt!
For a start, our PE sessions now include a weekly session of professional coaching by Yuber Sports. Here are our Eagles, challenging themselves to Dodgeball in our neighborhood community center.
Highlights this week:
- Starting the session with a series of Session Challenges, three more Eagles and some serious Studio Revamps!
- Studio Independence: A four-hour challenge
- Launching the Personal Finance Quest
- Becoming more Learner-driven: Eagles resolving issues through a process
- Badges, badges… pressure for submission
Welcome Eagles to Session 5. Our community is growing. The Middle School studio has 3 more Eagles and we are now a community of 15 Eagles. They organized themselves into three Squads of five Eagles. Here’s one—being cheeky 🙂
We launched with eight community challenges. Each challenge is a step closer towards a more learner-driven community. Many of these challenges involve Guides stepping out of studios and Eagles stepping up to lead and resolve issues.
Well, Eagles are equipped with tools to help them through. This week, we introduced Conflict Resolution. Eagles recalled their past conflicts and role-played using the Conflict Resolution process. The first step involves cooling off, followed by a series of steps to ensure both parties are heard and understood. Then, they find a solution together and move forward.
“I hear you…”
Of course, the studio space keeps adapting too. Eagles cleared an existing wall to allow more space for a whiteboard space. The 3+ meter long wall will be used for Eagles’ progress and various feedback metrics.
Many Eagles find cleaning up the walls therapeutic.
The stationaries and classroom materials have been re-organized too, as Eagles reflected what has been the most effective setup.
We need less of these boxes. All the tech can be in one box, all our belongings can be another, etc.
Also, we installed a new fire escape. In the first trial drill, 15 Eagles escaped the studio under three minutes.
How do we know we are heading the right direction? We offer choices and ask the Eagles of course.
Studio Independence: A four-hour challenge
On Wednesday, Eagles took on the first of the eight challenges. Can a Guide step away for four hours, while Eagles managed their own learning and governance?
How will you measure all this? Eagles list down various metrics of measuring usage of Pomodoro technique, goals achieved and studio intentionality.
Great start. The challenge remains on having high intentionality for four hours.
Launching the Personal Finance Quest
This Session, the Eagles are challenged to imagine their financial lives at 25 years old. First, they investigated the meaning of money. Then, they dig deep into researching jobs, their potential income through online salary surveys. Next week, they will have to pitch for their jobs.
All this invite a deeper reflection of what skills are needed for the future. One Eagle commented “Many jobs exist only 5 years ago. How can we prepare for something 10 years in the future?”
How many Eagles can you spot in this tight corner? Eagles working hard together. Often, with interesting conversations about their future.
In addition to all these… there was high pressure in completing their badges from last session.
Badges, badges… pressure for submission
Badge deadlines for last session’s work were announced a few weeks ago. Some of it, such as the Independent Learner Badge—two months ago. But like tax filings in the real world, many Eagles left their work to the last minute (or when prompted on the deadline).
Throughout the week, Eagles rushed for their badge submissions. There was a struggle as they had to digest the badge requirements, compile their work and go through multiple revisions. By Friday, many Eagles completed their work and were awarded badges.
Our aim is towards peer-reviewed badges, rather than having a “marking standard” by an adult. The community’s next challenge is to instill rigor among each other. Right now, they are progressing ahead in the self-governance.
Becoming more Learner-driven: Eagles resolving issues through a process
When Eagles started their journey at Acton, often when they had arguments and conflicts—they “depended” on Guides to resolve issues. But Guides do not answer questions. Instead, we offer choices and questions.
Three months in, Eagles, including the Elementary Studio come together for a round of PE warm-ups. It is telling how the Learning Community has evolved, especially coming new into each session.
But a community is never smooth sailing.
On Friday, there were two cases of honor code violations: bullying and plagiarism. The Eagles gathered for an Emergency Townhall and resolved the issue.
Eagles take turns to express their case, while following Rules of Engagement. After the various points have been heard, the Eagles make a decision through majority vote.
An Eagle was sent home as the community followed due process of the Honor Code contracts that were signed two months ago.
Was it too harsh? You might be surprised—tough love exists even in a community of 11-14 years old.
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