Weekly Updates

Preschool / Spark Studio (PS) Update

We’re Back!

The PS Studio came alive again on Monday, marking the end of another long absence from the physical Studio and, most importantly, the outdoor play area. The PS Eagles eagerly resumed the physical Montessori work that they had started in September 2020 and, within this one week, made a lot of progress.

Major construction ensues as the PS Eagles enjoy the Outdoor Play Area after such a long time.

SH matching colours with the Colour Box 2.

AS grading colours with Colour Box 3 – a skill that requires a more discerning eye.

AR arranges the Large Number Cards in the “Passing of 9s”.

OR proudly displays her completed Tessellation.

Getting Back into Studio Maintenance

In restarting Studio life, the PS Eagles had to recommit to their role in keeping the Studio in pristine and functional condition, since cleaning is a part of the work and play cycle. The newer and younger Eagles were shown how to wash the utensils and tools that they had used, as well as mop up their own spills.

The Eagles are briefed on proper utensil maintenance. In this case, the Eagle honestly thought that the paint pallet was completely clean and in the right drying place. He later rewashed it and moved it to the right place upon realising his error. He was also prompted to check the dining plates for any traces of paint.

Quest: Montessori Cultural – Animal Kingdom

Doing the Mystery Bag is always more fun with friends! Mystery Bag 1 of this quest contained 20 animal pictures. After cutting them, the Eagles sorted them into groups.

Mystery Bag 2 also contained 20 animal pictures, and this time the Eagles were challenged to sort them according to their skeletons, shells, skins (for animals without bones) and exoskeletons (insects).

The Eagles were fascinated by the different aspects of animals:

AA: We group them into Sea Creatures, Bugs and Land Animals.

S: These ones can swim, these ones can fly, these ones crawl and these ones slither.

AY: These ones are long and these ones are short.

IA: These ones can climb and the others cannot climb.

SO: I am tired!

SH, AR and AY working together to sort the pictures into groups.

IA and AN cutting pictures of animal skeletons, shells and skins that give them an idea of animals with backbones (vertebrates) and animals without backbones (invertebrates).

Special Celebration

On Friday, the PS Eagles held a Graduation Ceremony / Leaving Celebration for those who were graduating from the PS Studio to the ES Studio. Congratulations to AD, AZ and JO! They also bid farewell to a fellow PS Eagle who is moving on to her next great adventure. Shine one, MY, wherever you go!

Ms WW with AD, AZ and MY as well as JO (via Google Meet) in celebration of their Graduation and moving on to the next stage of their Hero’s Journeys.

The PS Eagles all showed their love for their fellow Eagles and gave them mementos and big hurrahs to celebrate their significant milestones.

Another part of the celebration included a procession of noisy noise-makers!

Elementary Studio (ES) Update

Adapting to Hybrid

Welcome back, Eagles! For this Sprint, we are learning about and discovering the world of chemistry through cooking. Expect a delicious Sprint full of experimentation and interesting creations!

The good news is that we are back in the physical studio, with some Eagles joining us virtually. The first day saw a rough start, with the Eagles having to learn how to include their online buddies in their discussions and research. One Eagle whispered to me, “This is really hard!” but she kept pressing on with her online buddy. Both Eagles were very patient and calm, learning ways to adapt and help each other.

2 Eagles completing a cooking challenge together.

Celebration of Change

We ended the week with a mini-celebration. In this Sprint, we are welcoming a total of 4 Eagles who are graduating from the Preschool Studio. Welcome, JO, AZ, AD and AL!

At the same time, 2 ES Eagles graduated to the Middle School Studio. All the best, AR and AP in your quests for growth and inspiration!

Last but not least, we wish all the best to CH who is moving on to his next adventure. Go forth and conquer the world, CH!

Middle School Launchpad Studio (MSLP) Update

Childrens’ Games: Tag, Marco Polo, Capture the Flag, The Floor is Lava, Hide & Seek, etc. When did you last play any?

This Sprint, the small Studio of five Eagles grows to ten. What better way to bring Eagles together than by using games they’ve played before? We spiced it up with the raising of stakes, and plenty of discussions & reflections on teamwork, sportsmanship, and knowing each other.

All of the games and reflections were aimed at bonding the Studio together towards the eventual working out and signing of their Contract. Note: the veteran Eagles are very familiar with coContractsntracts, so most discussions were generated during meal times.

Cooking & Chemistry

This Sprint features the Cooking & Chemistry Quest and Restaurant Review Genre. The first week involved exploring Chemistry Atomic Models, food recipes and their relevant chemistries, blind taste tests, and finally, an Egg Cookout!