This week, we look into writing at Acton Academy. I will start by changing the mindset of writing, a quick brief at writing at Acton Academy, and then a recap of the week’s happenings.
Of all the Core Skills, writing is by far the hardest—both for Eagles and Guides. It is a pain: writer’s block, fear of judgment, lack of words. Brah! Arrgh! Ouch!!! The frustration and despair that stares at you because either you think you wrote crap, or don’t have anything to write. It feels like hell either way.
But maybe you are fluent in your writing. If so, congratulations and please contact us at guides [at] actonkl.org. You’ve won the War of Art and overcame the resistance of vomiting words out of thin air writing. You are a rare, valuable resource.
Writing and “writing education” (if there is one) is often misunderstood. In most language education, writing is about demonstrating the proficiency of language. The better you can structure your sentences with rich vocabulary and coherent (enough) points, the more the marker will assign points. It is likely that the marker won’t digest with interest and curiosity since there are hundreds of manuscripts. And most of them will be boring. As a student, you can do them a favor by making it easy to give marks—use keywords, use easy to follow structures, and stay on topic! So, the fastest, and possibly the most effective way to hit those points is by memorizing beautiful phrases that are suited for a variety of context. But writing (in real life) is not to score points.
The Real Goal of Writing
The goal of writing is to translate your thoughts and ideas into clear written communications that can be understood and appreciated by an audience. Here’s the surprising thing—the first audience is the writer himself. He can have a conversation with his previous self. He might spot a hole in his thinking; he might form a different opinion, and discover something surprising and new. As Paul Graham realizes:
writing doesn’t just communicate ideas; it generates them.
If the goal of writing is to create clarity for yourself and your audience, then, it must have two features. The first is to write like you talk because how you talk reflects how you think. The surest way to think with clarity is to “say it in your own words.” The second feature of writing is the process of editing because each edit increases the original purpose of writing: clear communication. So, writing is exercising clear thinking through re-writing. If there’s one thing you need to know about writing at Acton Academy, it is to see writing in this light.
Writing at Acton Academy
Our Eagles write a lot. The average Middle Studio (MS) Eagle, usually 12 years old, writes 2,500 words a week. They write about their thoughts on various topics, ranging from book reviews, their opinion of friendships, and even organizing a Trip. But most importantly, they follow a writing process. Here’s a video from Acton Austin Eagles:
Most of what’s said above apply to upper ES (9 years old) and above. Here’s the current activity among the ActonKL’s Learning Studios:
| Studio Levels | Scope | Goal | Tools & Processes |
| Spark (PS), 4–6 yo | No to limited writing. All about expressing clearly in a verbal manner. | Exercise thinking through speech and Play | Montessori tools to build sentences |
| Lower ES, 7–8 yo | Writing simple pieces (3 to 5 sentences). | Encourage the habit and love of writing | Writer’s Workshop
Writing Process 6 Traits 4 Ninjatos Mentor Texts Online tools |
| Upper ES, 9–10 yo | Writing essays, articulating thoughts (200 words). | Some rigor and forming habits of critique | |
| MS, 11–13 yo | Writing 500 to 1000 words piece. | All above. Eagles exercise Clear thinking. | Eagle Community of Writers; sometimes Expert critique
Other writing tools |
| Beyond MS, 14+ yo | Near college-level work |
This Writing kit document digs deeper into the process of writing at Acton Academy.
In summary:
- The goal is to build a community of writers
- Eagles write a lot, focuses on two things:
- Journals, recording their learning process
- A key piece, involving multiple rounds of edit, to produce one major work during the Exhibition. Usually done via the Writers Workshop
- Writing at the lower ES level is more guided, and the goal is to stretch and develop a habit of writing (and reading).
- The main writing tools used by Acton Eagles are the Writing Process, the Six Traits, BTLs and Mentor Texts, and the Sentence Ninjatos. The tools are to allow focused critique, either by addressing one aspect of editing or one stage of writing.
- It is paired deeply with Deep Books because good writers read a lot too
You might wonder, does this all work? Our ActonKL Middle Studio Eagles are almost four grades ahead in writing, and half of them tested out of high school. But I do not want to convince you by Statistic. The best way to tell is to see Eagles’ work during one of our exhibitions.
How can you help as Parents?
You might be tempted to “teach writing” or make grammar corrections—Don’t unless your Eagle asked for it. Here’s one alternative: have conversations. Listen, stay curious and interested. Ask for more clarity: Tell me more. What do you mean…? Honest conversations work even for 2-years-old (and certainly works all the way to adults). The practice of articulation and seeking clarity in words will help your Eagle and positively improve your family bonds too.
Now, to the Weekly Updates (where you can have some conversation with your Eagle)!
Updates!
Spark (Preschool / PS) Studio
The Spark / Preschool (PS) Studio wrote complex stories this week. The girls spent two days playing hospital. It is arguably the most play story we’ve seen so far. It involves multiple patients and roles, a process of registration and onboarding, doctor diagnosis, medication, medical operations, and so on. There was also space and tools for systems, wards, and pharmacy.
https://youtu.be/WjLe1ivhpCI
The Hospital is an excellent example of how “writing skills” are honed at PS level—expressing complex ideas and thoughts through social play.
Not all is rosy for the PS. The PS Eagles had a warning from the ES. They needed to take more responsibility in keeping their studio clean and usage of the other areas: kitchen, ES studio. The ES studio is now out of bounds from the PS until they earn back the ES Guide’s trust.
Elementary Studio (ES)
ES Eagles had a full week.
They continued their football training with Arvind and Ram. They learned different skills, practiced team games and finally, a football match.
https://youtu.be/WOD_RMH8fpA
There’s plenty of work this week. Eagles went through a process of planning and executing for their Growing Curiosity project. There’s a lot of drilling to ensure that their plans are well thought out. There’s also mysteries and excitement. The sprint towards exhibition just got started.
“I know what I’m going to research on. Shhh, it’s a secret.”
“I can’t wait for Project Time. There’s so much I need to do.”
The Eagles ended the week with a well-deserved treat—a Fun Friday of watching “Book of Life” and having popcorn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBw5YScs8iQ
“I did it!!! It’s my second Fun Friday ever.”
The Friday also was filled with celebrating Jun Hung’s Birthday. It’s his first month at ActonKL, so welcome to the ActonKL Family!
The Eagles continued with Auntie Dyani’s social skills workshop: Acknowledging the values we love about ourselves and learning to give compliments to our friends for their values. Eagles were very engaged and excited to share stories.
“This week, my dad praised me for waking up to my alarm clock.”
“My mom praised me for helping a friend who fell.”
Here’s a to-do challenge to Parents: Let’s practice at home with your family.
Middle Studio (MS)
MS had some significant upgrades. Wednesday was a day where Eagles led every single activity, including all Launches. On Thursday, one Eagle asked for an external monitor (we had a few to spare), and soon, every Eagle was asking for it.
In general, we are open to request if they meet the following criteria:
- Increase intentionality
- Increase learning/work productivity
- Increase fun
Expect more upgrades and productivity ahead.
The MS Eagles continued their friendship quest by exploring strategies of friendship; how to make a first impression, have a conversation, and also reflecting on toxic friends. Here’s one exercise: Two people having a conversation, and one enters to interrupt. Is there a strategy to make it less awkward?
There were laughter and insights as the Eagles went through these exercises. It certainly helps if you can crack a joke.
The friendship bonds are certainly positive in the Middle School. The question is: is this a cool hangout place or something more, where each of them is supporting through a Hero’s Journey together?
Will they support each other through thick and thin? The real test is ahead through trying times. And they are writing their story out together.