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!

 

Discovery Year 5. Session 7. Week 6.

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WORK CYCLE + BADGE CEREMONY 

Learners reflected on their greatest hope for themselves in Week 6. Throughout the past 7 Sessions, Discoverers have stretched themselves to set goals in their challenge zone and to strive for a standard of excellence in their work. If you walked through the studio this week, you’d hear Fellow Travelers supporting one another with a growth mindset. You could listen to the sound of Squad leaders equipping and empowering their Squad members. Early in the week, you might hear silence as the Studio found flow; later, you’d listen to celebratory cheers at the Badge Ceremony. 

 

QUEST

In this week’s Quest, learners grew their curiosity by designing a challenge for a Fellow Traveler. Working in pairs, Heroes found topics that intrigued and excited them. Ideas ranged from video game design to dance to mythical creatures. Learners crafted a 10-minute launch for their partners before diving into the challenge with energy and focus. 

CELEBRATION OF HEROES

On Wednesday, the Ascent Community came together for Celebration of Heroes. As a campus, learners reflected together on an impactful and transformative year. Each Discovery learner received a carefully determined honor reflecting this year’s wins, failures, challenges, triumphs, and critical moments in their Hero’s Journey. 

YEAR 5: MOMENTS OF MAGIC

This year, Discovery Heroes learned beautiful and, at times, hard truths about working within a community. As we reflect upon Year 5, there was no shortage of magical moments. 

Learners transformed DEAR by leaning in to listen with curiosity and wonder during impromptu read-alouds.

Discovery Heroes transformed ideas into realities at the Children’s Business Fair. 

Socratic Discussions transformed into magical moments with small group meetings in the morning. 

Thank you, Discovery community, for a powerful and hope-filled Year 5. Have a great summer, we’ll see you in September!

Discovery Year 5. Session 7. Week 5.

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The week may have been short, but Discoverers made the most of it! Continue reading to learn about Work Cycle, Quest, and Art in Week 5. 

WORK CYCLE

Learners in Discovery are charging full steam ahead in Work Cycle. Heroes have raised intentionality and focus as they work hard toward goals they hope to achieve by the end of the year. Squad leaders are taking the initiative to challenge and support squad members to use their remaining Work Cycle time effectively. 

QUEST

Explorers joined Discoverers in Week 5 to lead Film Quest. Working in small teams, learners explored the process of creating a short film from start to finish. The week started with script writing and costume and prop design. This Quest challenged learners to rehearse and memorize their lines, all in preparation for filming day. Once filming concluded, the Studio celebrated their hard work and creativity with a viewing party at a closing group. 

ART

Artists in Discovery continued progress on their art pieces this week. During Socratic Discussion, Heroes learned about an artist who is remaking flip books he first created as a child. The Studio reflected on and discussed the importance of revision and change when pursuing an artistic vision. 

Discovery Year 5. Session 7. Week 4.

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This week, Discovery learners participated in powerful Work Cycle launches, practiced creativity in Art, and designed one-of-a-kind 3-D models in Quest.  

 

WORK CYCLE

The Studio showcased courage and vulnerability in Wednesday’s Work Cycle launch on failure. Heroes reflected on their inner voice and what it says when a failure occurs. In doing so, learners identified the voice of a fixed or victim mindset and brainstormed ideas for transforming thoughts into a growth mindset. Suggestions from Fellow Travelers during Socratic Discussions included, “I just haven’t reached my goal yet,” “I am still practicing my handwriting,“ and “I’m not the best at math, but I can work hard and improve.”

QUEST

The Studio explored the animal kingdom in Week 4 of Growing Curiosity Quest. Learners from Explore challenged Discoverers to research an animal that sparked their interest and create a detailed sketch based on their findings. This was in preparation for the final challenge of Animal Quest: molding a clay animal. Discoverers displayed focus and attention to detail as they molded their creations to a standard of excellence.

ART

In Socratic Discussion, Discoverers delved  into the process of watercolor painting. Learners considered the reasons why human beings feel called to paint and draw. To quote one Hero’s response, “Telling stories is a human need and art is a way of telling a story.“ 

Discovery Year 5. Session 7. Week 3.

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Discovery Heroes acted with intention and imagination in Fashion Quest and Art. The Studio experienced a big win in Work Cycle and celebrated with a reward on Friday!

WORK CYCLE 

At the start of Math Power Hour, Discoverers faced a challenging yet achievable goal—learners aimed to attain 985 math skills collectively. When Session 6 ended, the milestone remained just out of reach. Heroes had to choose: end Math Power Hour and receive no reward for their hard work or challenge themselves to continue working and keep Math Power Hour on the schedule in Session 7. Discoverers decided to take their fate into their own hands. The Studio exceeded its initial goal this week and earned a Free day, a chance for each Hero to create their schedule and customize their day. 

QUEST

Explore Heroes joined the Studio once again to lead Growing Curiosity Quest. Week 3’s focus was fashion! Discoverers learned about the complex sequence of mass-producing cotton shirts, the concept of sustainable clothing, and historical perspectives on fashion. Working in teams, this Quest challenged learners to design and create fashion collections. After choosing a theme, they crafted a few clothing items in the same style before photographing the final pieces. 

ART

In Tuesday’s Art Launch, learners explored the works of Colombian sculptor Nano Lopez. After gaining insight into the intricacies of his creative process, Discovery Heroes expressed their surprise at how much time it takes Lopez to complete one piece. Learners also noted his attention to detail. The launch challenged learners to bring this same intention to their artisanship this Session. 

We can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon in the second half of Session 7! 

Discovery Year 5. Session 7. Week 2.

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In Week 2, Discovery Heroes called upon their creativity, adaptability, and courage. The Studio came together to learn from failure and celebrate successes in Baking Quest, Writers’ Workshop, Art, and Work Cycle. 

WORK CYCLE

Learners continued their forward momentum in Work Cycle to finish the year strong. During Socratic Discussion, Heroes learned about the neuroscience behind practice. Each member of the Studio identified one skill they wanted to improve on, or perhaps even master, before committing to practicing it throughout the Session. Learners also drafted guidelines for excellent work in Discovery and discussed what it looks and feels like to work hard within a community. 

QUEST

Fellow Travelers from Explore Studio joined Discoverers to lead Baking Quest. Working in small groups, Heroes created recipes. After much brainstorming, collaborating, measuring, and mixing, learners were ready to bake. Each recipe will be bound together to create a Discovery Studio Cookbook. After this week’s Quest, the Studio enjoyed the fruits of their labor with a taste test of all the delicious treats! 

ART 

Collaboration between Discovery and Explore continued in Art. Together, learners took a deep dive into the history and culture of beadwork, one area of art the Studio is focusing on this Session. Heroes let their imagination reign throughout their artistic pursuits. 

WRITERS’ WORKSHOP 

Learners moved forward in creating their Year in Review books. Week 2 focused on relationships: friends, family, and other connections that made a meaningful impact this school year. Pages included an Ode to a Friend, a Letter to a Future Eagle, and a Haiku about the Studio. 

 

Have a great weekend!