Discovery Year 6. Session 2. Week 6.

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Discovery learners landed Session 2 powerfully. The Studio showcased its hard work through reflection, celebration, and an Exhibition of Learning. 

EXHIBITION OF LEARNING: E-SHIP QUEST 

Discovery and Explore entrepreneurs came together on Thursday to host an outdoor Trade Show. Learners presented the business ideas they developed throughout E-Ship Quest. Exhibition guests heard pitches, explored prototypes, and evaluated prices and profit margins. Learners competed to win categories such as Most Eco-Friendly Business, Best Branding, Most Original Business, and more!

EXHIBITION OF LEARNING: LETTERS TO A HERO

Learners welcomed their guests into the studio to glean insight into this Session’s Writers’ Workshop: Letters to a Hero. Discovery Writers highlighted the changes between their first, second, and third drafts while sharing the peer critiques they received. Next, Discoverers participated in a Socratic Discussion for guests to observe, reflecting on why they chose their Hero and how they imagined their Hero might respond. 

WORK CYCLE + BADGE CEREMONY

This Session, learners were asked, “What could you accomplish in this Session in the Work Cycle that would make you feel proud of yourself?” Discoverers shared badge goals, learning program goals, and Montessori goals they hoped to achieve, as well as how their perception of their capabilities would expand once they achieved the goal. On Friday at Closing Group, Discoverers celebrated a Fellow Traveler earning their first badge. 

Have a restful fall break, Discovery community!

Discovery Year 6. Session 2. Week 5.

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With Session 2’s Exhibition of Learning on the horizon, Discoverers focused on the future and prepared to finish strong. 

QUEST

In Quest, Heroes sailed to Selling Island! Discovery entrepreneurs learned about the building blocks of a perfect pitch while analyzing examples of young people pitching their products and services. After drafting, learners rehearsed their pitches aloud and received warm and cool feedback from Fellow Travelers before coming together to elect an Exhibition Planning Committee. 

WRITERS’ WORKSHOP

In Writers’ Workshop, learners moved forward in the writing process to begin editing. Working in small groups, Heroes participated in the Community of Editors. In these collaborative conversations, Discoverers become editors, each with a particular grammatical focus. Discoverers worked together to ensure each Hero received an excellent letter. 

ART

In Art, Discovery learners found flow in the artistic process. Learners supported one another in managing time and overcoming obstacles in order to complete their canvas paintings. Artists in Discovery also expressed themselves in written form by creating an “All About the Artist” sheet, detailing their personal style and artistic influences. 

We can’t wait to see what’s next for Discovery! 

Discovery Year 6. Session 2. Week 4.

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In Week 4, Discoverers collaborated in Work Cycle, learned about Unit Economics in E-Ship Quest, and met a guest Hero alongside Explore learners! 

WORK CYCLE

Discovery learners reflected on the reasons they chose to work hard at school. In discussions, learners shared reasons such as “to gain knowledge,” “to experience accomplishment,” and “to be prepared for the world.” Discovers continued to set excellent goals in the challenge zone and concluded the week by sharing their proudest moment in Work Cycle. 

QUEST 

Discovery learners sailed to Unit Economics Island in E-Ship Quest this week! Entrepreneurs tackled challenges that supported them in identifying how to break even and how to earn a profit based on how much of their product or service they could produce in 1 day. Discovery learners also created pricing posters and practiced making change!

HERO’S JOURNEY 

On Friday, Discoverers and Explorers gathered together to hear the story of a real Hero in the entrepreneurial field. Learners inquired about obstacles, allies, and transformation on the Hero’s Journey while heeding a call to action from the Hero on their business ideas: “Don’t wait until your idea is perfect to share it. Just get it out there.”   

Discovery Year 6. Session 2. Week 3.

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This week, Discovery learners sailed to Identity Island in E-ship Quest, began first drafts in Writers’ Workshop, and celebrated the fall season in Art. 

 QUEST

Entrepreneurs in Discovery focused on the branding and advertising of their businesses during Quest this week. Heroes explored the feedback they received from potential customers before tackling challenges to create logos, design booths, and make advertisements. On Friday, Discoverers joined Explorers for an entrepreneurial experiment in which they stepped into the role of customer to understand a consumer’s mindset better. 

WRITERS’ WORKSHOP

In Week 3 of Writers’ Workshop, learners began writing the first draft of their Letter to a Hero. As a Studio, Discoverers researched the structural elements of formal letters and reflected on the best practices of letter writing. Learners started drafting for excellence using the standard they created and the research completed on their Heroes. 

ART

In Art this week, learners carved pumpkins with their squads while harvesting the seeds for a sweet treat to share at the campus pumpkin party. Sparks, Discoverers, and Explorers gathered in the Spark Play area to celebrate the Fall season. On Thursday, Discoverers participated in a learner-led launch about Diwali! After Socratic Discussion, Discoverers created rangolis and mandalas using a traditional Indian art supply: colored rice!

Just like that, we are halfway through the Session. We can’t wait to see what’s next for Discovery Studio!

Discovery Year 6. Session 2. Week 1.

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Learners launched Session 2 with energy and excitement. Here’s how the tribe started in Work Cycle, E-Ship Quest, and Writers’ Workshop! 

WORK CYCLE

Discovery Heroes brought focus and motivation to pursuing their goals in Work Cycle. Learners held meetings with Fellow Travelers who were at a similar point in their badge plan progress. Discoverers shared what they hope to be their first or next badge of the year before making a plan and identifying their first step to earning the badge.

QUEST

What is a need you see in the world? What is something you love to do? What are your natural gifts and talents? These are the essential questions Discoverers will be asking themselves in E-ship Quest! Throughout the session, learners will become entrepreneurs running their own businesses. In Week 1, Discoverers sailed through the challenges of Motivation Island, including business research, brainstorming and money based board games. 

WRITERS’ WORKSHOP

This week, Discovery learners launched Letters to a Hero! In Session 2’s Writers’ Workshop, Discoverers will be researching a living hero before writing and sending a letter to them. Discovery writers will think carefully about stories from their own Hero’s Journey, ultimately deciding what is relevant to share with the Hero they choose. Discoverers will also work to craft thoughtful and unique questions to ask to get a letter back! 

Discovery Year 6. Session 1. Week 5.

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This week, Discoverers focused on finishing Session 1 strong. Learners reflected on their growth as a community since the first days of school and prepared for Exhibition of Learning. 

Exhibition of Learning: Work Cycle 

Heroes welcomed Exhibition guests into the studio to glean insight into Discovery’s Work Cycle. Learners provided friends and family with an opportunity to explore their learning programs and badge plans. Parents leaned in to listen with curiosity as Discoverers shared their greatest challenges, proudest moments, and future goals in Work Cycle. 

 

Exhibition of Learning: Writers’ Workshop

Discoverers courageously shared final pieces from Session 1 Writers’ Workshop in a poetry-sharing circle at Exhibition. Learners recited haikus, nursery rhymes, and acrostic poetry before opening the floor to guests. Members of the audience received an invitation to write a haiku inspired by Ascent and its community. Brave guests read poems aloud and were met with laughter and warmth from the studio. 

   

Exhibition of Learning: Contract Signing

Session 1’s Exhibition concluded with a ceremony commemorating the creation and signing of Discovery’s Studio Contract. After a Session of brainstorming, testing, voting, reflecting, and editing, Heroes finalized an excellent contract in Week 5. On Friday, guests gathered to honor Discovery’s hard work and celebrate their commitment to the community. 

    

We can’t wait to see what’s next in Session 2! 

Discovery Year 6. Session 1. Week 4.

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In Week 4, Discoverers developed rhythms in Work Cycle, created self-portraits in Art, and reflected on trust and safety during Socratic Discussions. 

WORK CYCLE 

Discovery Heroes strove for clarity and rigor in their daily SMART goal-setting practice this week. The Studio is starting to see the effects of their strong habits in Work Cycle. One learner reflected, “That was my most successful Work Cycle so far this year.” When asked what made it successful, the learner said, “The studio was quiet, and I actually got into flow. I finally exceeded my goal.”

ART

Self-reflection is an important part of life in Discovery; however, this week, we mean that literally! Throughout Session 1, Discovery Artists have practiced techniques like shading and contouring. The culmination of this practice is using these skills to draw their faces and a still life recreation of a fruit plate. Heroes then displayed their final pieces to receive feedback from Fellow Travelers.

TRUST WALK 

Discoverers partnered up to participate in the trust walk this week, in which one learner wears a blindfold while their partner is seeing. The goal of the trust walk is to lead your partner through the orchard safely. In a debrief afterward, Heroes connected to other aspects of studio life when they rely on others to navigate new territory and remain on course.

Discovery Year 6. Session 1. Week 3.

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Just like that, we are halfway through Session 1! In Week 3, Discoverers focused on Writers’ Workshop, Town Hall, and a campus-wide challenge. 

WRITERS’ WORKSHOP

Discovery Heroes launched Writers’ Workshop for the Session with one simple question: What is a poem? Working alongside their Squad members, learners explored poetry collections from the studio’s library to find five excellent examples of poems. Learners then got to work quickly with their own creative process, starting first with acrostic poems before challenging themselves to create a haiku. 

TOWN HALL

Early in the Session, Discoverers were introduced to Town Hall, a time set aside for solving problems and celebrating accomplishments as a community. This week, the Studio held its first official Town Hall of the year. Learners brought forth obstacles, ideas, and announcements surrounding Socratic discussions, studio materials, and more. 

EGG DROP CHALLENGE 

Imagine this: the U.S. government is preparing to create a community on the moon. They’ve reached out to you with a clear call to action: research and design a cost-efficient capsule to send an astronaut to space. This week, Spark, Discovery, and Explore learners joined one another to heed the call. Heroes priced materials, created prototypes, and completed trials before coming together for the final launch on Friday afternoon. 

Discovery Year 6. Session 1. Week 2.

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Discovery learners entered Week 2 with energy and determination. The Studio launched Art, elected Squad leaders, and completed the tech challenge.

As the world of online learning opened up in the studio, Heroes navigated the tech challenge, becoming equipped to accept the responsibilities that come alongside the great freedoms of internet use. Experienced Discoverers provided guidance and insight to new learners on using digital tools in Discovery. New learners courageously reached out for support. Ultimately, the Studio overcame obstacles to complete the challenge successfully.

 
In a series of tribe-uniting challenges, Discovery learners received a call to action to carry throughout the week: observe closely to see leaders emerge naturally. Heroes reflected alongside their Fellow Travelers to create Squad identities. Learners named the heroic traits they will strive to embody as a Squad this Session. Squad leaders were elected Friday and signed a contract committing to serve their Squad members.


Discovery learners launched Art for the Session: drawing! Heroes were challenged to create contour drawings of objects in the studio, their faces, and the faces of Fellow Travelers. The quiet sounds of pencils and giggles filled Discovery as the Studio found flow.

Discovery Year 6. Session 1. Week 1.

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Discovery Heroes leaped into Week 1 with courage and curiosity. Here’s how the tribe set sail for their new adventure.

BUILD THE TRIBE 

Discoverers launched the year with a simple yet powerful call to action: get to know your Fellow Travelers and begin to explore the studio. Learners heeded the call with excitement! It wasn’t long before Heroes began brainstorming strategies in the electric fence challenge, leaning into laughter with a game of telestrations, inspiring one another during Socratic discussion, and much more. 

LIP DUB

The Studio showcased creativity and cooperation in this year’s lip dub challenge. Learners gathered close to watch excellent examples before diving into a planning and practicing process of their own. Heroes created a rubric by which to measure excellence for their video and reflected on each take as a community. To quote one learner providing feedback to a Fellow Traveler, “You really are getting better each time. It wasn’t great the first take but, I can totally tell you’re improving.” 

The Year 6 journey has only just begun!