Weekly Updates
This Sprint started off online again, but the Acton spirit persevered, nonetheless. How did each Studio get back into work flow?
Preschool / Spark Studio (PS) Update
Back Online, With Intention
The PS Parents came on Tuesday 26th October to collect the Distance Learning Pack – a box full of materials for the PS Eagles’ online learning. A sketch pad, story books, a schedule, a timer, and 6 Mystery Envelopes for Fun Fridays piqued the PS Eagle’s interest.
sts for the new Sprint. What is in store for them in their first ever Programming Sprint?
Some PS Parents captured the moment their Eagles put up their Daily Schedules – a physical reminder of each day’s Game Plan. It is up to the PS Eagles to choose how their day flows, and the velcro-backed Time Blocks help them to plan their day and physically remove each Time Block as they follow through with their plans.
Exercise Wake-Up Zoom
The PS Eagles enjoyed a morning Zoom Meeting that started off at 9am with a Youtube exercise program. Some families joined in and it was great fun for everyone! The exercises were very energetic and fun … even the PS Parents and Grandparents enjoyed working out with their Eagles!
Quest: Distant Learning / Montessori Cultural – Geography
There was excitement to open Mystery Bag 1 – and it was full of materials to create a Land and Water Map using glue. sand, cotton buds and blue paint. The PS Eagles took to the challenge naturally and chose different ways to apply the paint. Some used the included cotton buds, some used brushes, while others used their fingers.
Online Meetings and Issues
We were very glad to see everyone in attendance and sharing about their day at the 2PM Zoom Meet. The PS Eagles enjoyed socialising and talking to each other.
Snippets heard over the Zoom Meeting:
AA: I am a funny boy.
M: I’ll show you my map. Oh no! I just spilled some sand.
AL: I like today because I got to open the Mystery Bag, put gum and sand for the land, and paint blue for the seas.
J: Me too. I like today because of the painting.
The PS Families faced real world challenges like internet and login problems, as well as limited laptops / screens at home. How was this handled? PS Eagles who had to share their laptops/screens with siblings who were also using screens for learning learnt about time management and sharing. We thank all the PS Parents for preparing and providing the right environment, and for making their internet available so that their Eagle’s Hero’s Journey can be possible.
Elementary Studio (ES) Update
A Virtual Studio, Again!
Welcome back! For this Sprint, the ES Studio is in virtual mode again. The ES Eagles took it in their stride, but hope to be back in the physical Studio again soon!
The Quest for this Sprint is coding and programming. We started off the week with an unplugged activity led by the Middle School Studio – Graph Paper Programming.
Despite the technical issues at the beginning of the break-away meetings, the MS and ES Eagles were able to complete the activity together.
Studio Maintenance
Studio Maintenance is just as important at home, so, for Studio Maintenance time, a series of Challenges was set for the ES Eagles to complete. They were to choose parts of their home that they would like to maintain – their work desk, doing the dishes, or watering the plants, and share before and after photos of their maintenance.
Middle Studio & Launchpad (MSLP) Update
We started the week on Wednesday 28th, and it was all about handing over to the MSLP Eagles so that they could run the Studio themselves.
A Launch roster, a schedule, as well as a Process to promote engagement set the stage. The MSLP Eagles knew what to do, more or less, the Guide’s role was just to ask questions to move forward. The MSLP Eagles requested help to ensure accountability, they asked for it themselves!
How does a Launch look?
Here are some videos, as well as discussions led by MSLP Eagles (apologies for the primitive recording!)
A sneak peek into MSLP Eagle-led discussions. The topic was ‘What is a Computer?’, and the MSLP Eagles dove into the history and contribution of computers.
The MSLP Eagle leading the discussion has blossomed. Once upon a time, he was completely silent, shying away from any expression within a group. Now, he is prepared and confident to lead.
The MSLP Eagles also led the ES Eagles in a graph paper activity, and they powered through initial technical difficulties.
One MSLP took his external exams on Friday, and requested to reschedule the Townhall to Saturday. Adjustments are OK, but dropping responsibility is not – the MSLP Eagles have the maturity to know this by now. They are calm, sure, and steady to handle changes, difficulties and challenges along the way.
