This week was a short one with just two days of Studio time.
Two days is still a lot of learning if there is focus and coordination. How does that happen, especially if we believe that children can make choices and we respect them?

Here’s how … the next important System:

System #4: The Contract

First, let me clarify what contracts are. They certainly are not authority assigned contracts, like Moses’ 10 commandments.

To be fair, Moses integrated decades worth of experience in peacemaking & conflict resolution before coming up with this.

The Acton Academy Way

Here’s how we do it. The Eagles have examples to refer to, but they experiment with them over time to see what sorts of promises work in the studio. The guide’s role is to facilitate the process of experimentation and reflection.

The entire process of experimenting with what rules of the game make the most sense takes weeks before the Eagles come to a conclusion. The test is through doing, interacting, and reflecting. It is lawmaking, acted out in plain words & everyday studio life.

As the different promises mature, they fall naturally into a contract. Then, the Eagles discuss further. Finally, a contract is formed, with a solemn contract signing ceremony.

A Contract, once signed, is upheld as law in the Studio. It takes time, sometimes up to 3 months, but there is far more commitment and ownership with this model.

What if the Contracts are not upheld?

The good thing is once it’s written the Guide and every Eagle can use the contract as a mirror. “These are the promises that you made, shall we uphold them or lower the standard?”

As every Eagle lives the Hero’s Journey and the studio is FUN to be in, they always choose the harder route of upholding standards. Over time, upholding standards forges good habits, and good habits etch into character, and character forges destiny.

This is Acton Academy’s discipline, one which is formed on the basis of self-drive, experimentation, social accountability, and what’s natural in our civilization: a sound rule of law & legislation process.

Weekly Updates

Preschool / Spark Studio (PS) Update

After the long break over the weekend it was a slow start for the Preschool Eagles and energy was lower on Thursday. Engagement on work and play was lower, but rest in between activities helped the Eagles to calm down and center their energy before continuing with their day.

The energy in the studio picked up on Friday and was more positive. The engagement at work and play was great! The Eagles were on point and were slaying their work goals, while keeping each other in check! Go Eagles!

 

Elementary Studio (ES) Update

Quest: Sistrum Making

This week in Oikos the Eagles explored music and creativity. This gave them the opportunity to create an ancient Greek instrument called the sistrum. They were fascinated by it:

“Is this an old school percussion instrument?”

“Wait, it can be used as a baby rattle.”

The Eagles also discussed music – Do you listen to certain music because you’re feeling a certain way, or do you listen to certain music in order to feel a certain way? Should it be one way or the other?

Exhibition Planning

It’s crunch time – one week to exhibition! The Eagles revisited and updated their exhibition plans. What do you look forward to next week? Despite the work and preparation needed, all the Eagles said, “EXHIBITION!!!!!” See you at the Exhibition next Thursday 9:00am!

Chinese Lessons

The Eagles had their first Chinese lesson on Duolingo today. “Ni hao,” was heard amongst them after that, and the mood changed from “I hate learning Chinese. Why do we need to know Chinese?” to “Wow, they make learning Chinese so easy!”

The Eagles who already had some Chinese knowledge were going around helping their friends. Thank you, Eagles for helping your tribe learn! Perhaps we could have a field trip to a market, in the near future?

Birthdays & Nature

We wish Happy 7th birthday to Xavi! May you grow in strengths and positive energy!

Speaking of positive energy, the Eagles found the time to plug into nature and were reminded that in the ancient times, dye was extracted from crushed flower petals and that many plants are not only edible, but tasty! Can you spot the bittersweet Stevia?

Middle Studio (MS) Update

The Art Gallery @ ActonKL

It was a very short week! All focus was on next week’s Exhibition. Plans were drawn with an eye on making the Art Gallery @ ActonKL a success. The Eagles sat down during the Friday’s scheduled Townhall to discuss the division of labour.

Art Mystery Challenge

Going into the weekend, there was another Art Mystery Challenge. This time, it was to work in pairs to create the final art-pieces.

Ice Skating

Despite the mounting work, there was an element of play too. This week, the Eagles voted and organised themselves to go to MyNISS for some ice skating fun. They actually planned for this last week, but their plans had to be postponed to this week because of the surprise IOWA test.

Deep Interest & Independent Quest Badge

On a separate note, one of the Eagles did a sharing of her most recent Deep Interest and Independent Quest Badge on Photography. This Eagle, along with another fellow Eagle, planned and executed their whole journey for this Sprint entirely on their own. Do come to the upcoming Exhibition on Thursday 30th May to learn more about her and her fellow Eagle’s journey this Sprint.

MS Art & Creativity Exhibition Announcements

• For the MS Art & Creativity Exhibition, the MS Eagles are setting up an Art Gallery @ ActonKL.
• During the Exhibition, they each will be presenting their main Art Piece for a silent auction.
• Silent auction process:
  • Each guest will be given 3 Bid Auction sheets. Each guest is requested to bid for at least 3 items. Guests may ask for more bid sheets.
  • Guests will bid by placing their Bid Auction amount into the boxes by the art piece they would like to bid for and purchase.
  • After the scheduled time, the bidder with the highest amount wins the bid and will earn the right to purchase the piece of art.
  • Yes, this involves real cash in RM. The minimum is RM1 to bid with no maximum.
  • In short, bring some cash along for the Exhibition.

There may also be smaller items up for sale.