Weekly Updates
Preschool / Spark Studio (PS) Update
Quest: Balloon-Powered Rocket Science
The PS Eagles had fun with Balloon Powered Rockets! The younger PS Eagles discovered how to use the pump to pump their balloons.The older PS Eagles tested the limits of the balloon to full capacity …. testing the Balloon Rockets again and again and again.
The Eagles made observations about their experiments:
SO – My balloon rocket flew when I let go because the air inside comes out and the balloon flies like this (swings her pointed finger around in the air).
AN – My rocket fly because I blow a lot of air inside and when I let go it flies like this (traces erratic lines in the air with his hand).
OR – I draw my balloon small.
The PS Eagles drew their observations of the Rocket Balloon Experiment into the booklet. In their drawings, they included the items used in the first and second activity: balloons, string, rockets drawings and the target.
Clean-Up Time
The clean-up schedule continued to break down – many PS Eagles are still being observed continuing the work/play during clean-up time. As a result, they have been using part of Lunchtime/Ending Circle Time to clean up. After observing this over the whole of last week, the PS Guides stepped in to introduce ‘Closing off the Art and Play Areas’ to show the consequences of not observing the schedule and keeping clean-up time to 15 minutes.
With the Art and Play Areas closed after Clean-up Times, the PS Eagles were observed to continue to struggle with clean-up time, ignoring the set schedule, but by Friday afternoon they were observed to be cleaning up the Studio as a more cohesive team instead of just cleaning what they had used.
Fun in the Sun
Elementary Studio (ES) Update
Back to Physical
We are physically back to the Studio! Well, at least half of the Studio is. The other half will join us next week and the group will be altogether again!
This week began with the ES Eagles getting used to the rhythm of being in the physical space after being away for some time and attending school virtually. The big question of the week was – do we want to be part of this Tribe and Studio? If we do, what commitments and promises must we uphold? The ES Eagles found keeping the ROE for Circle Time a challenge and the level of engagement was low. An Eagle suggested that we could spice things up and agreed to challenge himself to lead next day’s Ending Circle with a game. He didn’t manage to plan a game, but stepped up and lead the Circle nonetheless.
Emergency Circle Time
One thing that the ES Eagles enjoyed doing together this week was building a fort and playing outdoors. The Eagles played outside for some time, however, a misunderstanding happened between 2 groups of fort builders and we had to call for an emergency circle.
The Eagles involved took ownership of coming up with a solution to the difficulty they were facing. The expectation was simple – after using a space, clean up. How this process happens is entirely in the hands of the Eagles. After a solid 30 minutes of discussion, the Eagles came up with a solution.
Stomp Rocket
3…2…1… STOMP!
The quest was challenging this week and the Eagles had to juggle between focus and minimizing distractions. Missing one challenge caused delays in next day’s second challenge competition.
A minor conflict surfaced in one of the Squads, while the other Squad managed to complete the challenge. The conflict that occurred between the 2 Eagles in the first squad caused them to lose a lot of time in completing their second challenge.
In the Studio, Conflict Resolution is carried out between 2 conflicting parties. It is fully owned and led by the Eagles involved, even the role of the mediator is played by an Eagle.
In the initial stages, however, the Guide may play the mediatory role and model the language:
“I felt this …. when you did this ….”
“I hear that you felt this … when I did this…”
This goes on until all parties feel that they have been heard. A this pint, the focus shifts from communicating feelings to finding solutions. Each side gets a chance to suggest ideas: Are there any concrete steps that need to be taken to set things right? How can we both do something differently next time? When a solution is agreed upon, a handshake seals it.
Takeaways from the Stomp Rocket Experiment
“Let’s use the tire, dropping it on the bottle will provide more force.”
“We need to seal the top so that the air won’t escape.”
“Let’s try rolling the tire over the bottle. (Laugh out loud) That didn’t work.”
