Spark Year 5. Session 2. Week 1

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As the Sparks dove into their study of environmental science, learners leaned into their curiosities around nature in our outdoor courtyard by planting the Spark herb garden!

            

During work time, the Spark learners prepared for gardening by reading books and watching videos about plant needs and their life cycles. On Thursday, learners continued to explore how plants meet their needs, participating in a science experiment of capillary action! Learners hypothesized what would happen to the flowers when placed in colored water, and were excited to see their hypothesis was correct when the flowers started changing colors when they arrived on Friday, resulting in their theory.

     

               

For our Grace and Courtesy practice, the Sparks continued to engage in conversations around our circle guardrails and why they are important; focusing on giving kind, clear messages to friends who show they may need support. 

To end the week, Spark learners dove into their curiosities by creating a Friday Craft, digging deeper into the life cycles of a plant, and of course, moved and grooved into their Friday dance party!

      

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Spark Year 5. Session 1. Week 5

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As we headed toward the end of the session, the Spark learners continued to explore their spaces and make them their own; from making flash floods at Spark Play to creating their own window-washing company during our work time. To end the week, the studio had an opportunity to create a Friday craft of handprint acorns, supporting fine motor skills like tracing, cutting, and gluing while continuing conversations about the changing seasons.

     

The Sparks also had their first work-with-me exhibition this week, showing their family members some of their favorite works around the studio. They bravely showcased their favorite works, modeling studio guardrails like mindful bodies and walking feet along the way.

        

To celebrate all of their hard work this session, learners across campus participated in the annual Friday Spark dance party- adding friends from other studios on the dance floor was eagerly welcomed by the Sparks.

Have a wonderful break, and see you in Session 2 for environmental science!

Spark Year 5. Session 1. Week 4

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In the Spark studio this week, learners started getting curious about plants and gardening. The Sparks took part in their first science experiment of the year-  using seeds and wet paper towels to begin a conversation around prepping and planting an herb garden in the Spark courtyard (coming soon for Spark learners to tend!!!)

     

For our Grace and Courtesy practice, the learners have been having conversations about the importance of our guardrails, and how to best support each other with them. The Sparks were shown a visual of the structure of a circle (with blocks and bricks) that resembled our group circles each day, witnessed it broken down, and started a conversation about how to rebuild it together.

The Sparks danced and DJ’d their way through their weekly dance party and were supported in practicing their fine motor skills by creating Fall leaves for a Friday craft.

     

 

Have a great weekend!

Spark Year 5. Session 1. Week 3

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This week in Spark, the learners said goodbye to summer and welcomed the fall equinox by celebrating nature. New works were introduced, and the studio was decorated to represent the current season. As the weather cooled down slightly, more Sparks decided to enjoy the outdoor courtyard space; engaging in bird watching, habitat building, and water play.

For their Grace and Courtesy practice this week, the learners had conversations around the importance of “Completing a cycle,” whether that be during the Work Cycle or Spark Play. The Guides support this practice by having curious, reflective conversations at each point of the day, and offering opportunities for the Sparks to share ideas on how they can collectively work towards meeting this goal.

The Spark learners ended their week with their beloved Friday Dance Party, and to further support welcoming the equinox, had their first Campus Trash Pick Up of the year to celebrate our campus by keeping it clean!

 

 

 

Spark Year 5. Session 1. Week 2

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This week in Spark was filled with curiosity, growth, and wonder. Sparks started each day eagerly gathering together to listen to Mr. Tom’s Spark Play broadcast, getting curious about our loose-parts play materials, and learning how to support one another in our clean-up. They welcomed their first rainy day with rain gear in tow, crafting shelters out of big parts and engineering mini flash floods in the sand pit; building connections along the way.

     

During the work time, curiosity grew as learners were introduced to new works, and practiced old works with friends. Circle Times were filled with discussions around kindness, inviting the Sparks to dig deeper into how to “sprinkle kindness” on situations that arise throughout their day. Learners shared stories of how they had shown kindness to others as well as times they received kindness themselves.

           

This Friday, the Spark learners were invited to join the Explore learners as guests in the Discovery studio for their first talent show of the year. The Sparks were excited to be immersed in art, music, dancing, and magic tricks. This experience provided a  wonderful opportunity for connection across our campus!

     

Have a lovely weekend!

 

Spark Year 5. Session 1. Week 1

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Spark learners kicked off their first week with songs, games and stories. Connections to new friends and old grew as learners were welcomed into their spaces. Days began with joining together in the morning circle, followed by Spark Play. The Sparks explored their outdoor environment, focusing on one Spark Play area each day. Learners created flash floods and dams in the sandpit, built stages and houses in the big parts, constructed houses for bugs in small parts and balance beams in blue parts.

During the work cycle, newer Spark learners showed eagerness and deep focus as they received lessons and practiced new works. Returning learners shared their knowledge as they flowed back into their studio.

 

For our Grace and Courtesy practice this week, learners concentrated on the circle guardrails. Together, the Sparks explored these guardrails gaining insight into their importance and how to best practice them. To support their experience, learners played a game where friends were invited to guess which circle guardrail they were practicing.

Our week came to a joyous end with our very first Friday Dance Party of the school year. Onwards to a year full of adventure! 

 

Year 4. Session 7. Week 4 Spark Update

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This week, the Sparks fastened their seatbelts to head to the next continent in our geography & culture study- Africa! They were supported in this by taking a virtual field trip to an African savannah, as well as a presentation from Discovery guide Ms. Nicole, who is from South Africa. On Thursday, the Sparks were split into groups of “scoopers”, “blenders”, and “makers” to show off their fine motor skills and create homemade popsicle treats! Finally, on Friday, the Sparks had the opportunity to create African masks to wrap up our study on this continent.

   

For our Grace and Courtesy practice this week, we have been having conversations around accountability. The Sparks shared powerful reflections on how and when they struggle with this the most, and why it is always important to be honest, even if we don’t want to be. 

We finished up this week with our homemade watermelon popsicles after a long week in this Texas heat, and in true Spark fashion, our annual Friday dance party.

Have a great weekend, and stay hydrated!

 

Year 4. Session 7. Week 5 Spark Update

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The Spark learners took a trip to the land down under this week for their geography & culture study! Sparks were introduced to the Australian continent through a video of the Australian Outback and books that supported them in flag-making and research. Both studios had a group lesson on various herbs to make their teas- this week we had chamomile, rose petals, and the favorite: color-changing butterfly pea. Creating their own tea bags allows Sparks to choose what they’d like and further supports fine motor, olfactory and gustatory development.

For our Grace and Courtesy practice this week, both studios are conversing about keeping our spaces clean and healthy as sicknesses spread. The Sparks have been supported in this by having hand washing practices, and practicing “catching your cough”, or coughing into your arm.

We finished up this week with a sweet watermelon treat to continue supporting the Sparks in staying hydrated in this heat, and we can’t forget our weekly Friday Dance Party!  

 

Have a great weekend!

Year 4. Session 7. Week 3 Spark Update

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The Spark learners were busy this week continuing their exploration of geography and culture with a quick trip to Asia! They were supported in this by reading books and watching a video about famous landmarks throughout the continent. On Thursday, they finished their 6-week journey of creating Marine Dioramas to showcase at an exhibition for the Discovery studio. They were asked questions about the process, challenges faced, and had an opportunity to host the Discovery learners in their space for the first time- hopefully a new Spark tradition!

For our Grace and Courtesy practice this week, we had conversations about treating materials both indoors and outdoors with respect. The guides have been asking questions that bring attention to why we want to treat our materials this way, and wondering how we can do so.

We finished up this week with a sweet watermelon treat to continue supporting the Sparks in staying hydrated in this heat, and we can’t forget our weekly Friday Dance Party!       

Have a great weekend!

 

Year 4. Session 7. Week 2 Spark Update

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This week in Spark, the learners continued their enrichment of culture and geography by taking a trip to Europe! We read books and watched a video that supported in learning about various European countries; who lives there, what they eat, what language they speak, etc. During the exploration of these countries, the Sparks also made time to continue working on their ocean dioramas which will be ready to present to the Discovery learners next week! The Sparks were also busy all week during Spark Play, showing their gardening skills by planting two olive trees in our orchard. As a Spark community, we celebrated all the hard work by enjoying some olive oil, olives, bread, and crackers.

     

For our Grace and Courtesy practice this week, we are continuing conversations around inclusivity and exclusivity. We are supporting the Sparks in this by using growth mindset language, and reminding them that we do not talk about private events that take place outside of school.

We finished up this week with our first-ever schedule swap! As the weather heats up, we are enjoying Spark Play in the morning (during our usual work time), then flowing into the work time after lunch. This will support the Sparks in staying cool throughout the rest of the year in this Texas heat!

The Sparks also enjoyed watermelon variations to support hydration at the end of each day this week, a sweet new tradition. Have a great weekend!

 

For a deeper understanding of the effect an adult brings into a child’s space, check out this Blog Post