Spark Year 5. Session 6. Week 5.

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As the session flowed, the Spark learners continued contemplating the creative arts through an exploration of sculpture and painting. In week three, the learners leaned on their understanding of the various aspects of a theatrical production by sculpting props for their “Theatre in a Box.” Week four brought about an opportunity to bring their props to life by detailing them with paint and placing them in their boxes. To round out the session, the Sparks will add the finishing touches to their production, bringing their focus to the story they will share with their fellow Explore and Discovery travelers.

During the process of forming “Theatre in a Box” groups for their productions, Spark practiced the Grace and Courtesy of inviting others to join, responding to the request, and, if needed, expressing their desire to work independently.

Continuing this session, Spark learners enhanced their reading and listening skills by teaming up with Discovery “reading buddies”. The Sparks demonstrated Grace and Courtesy by taking turns to decide who would be paired with a Discovery learner. Inspired by their peers, Spark learners also took the initiative to support each other as reading buddies.

During week five, Sparks had the opportunity to explore the wonders of space by visiting a mobile planetarium in their very own yurt. This experience has inspired Sparks to further delve into the subject, with a focus on the landforms that exist on planets within the Milky Way galaxy.

Throughout the session, Spark Play included harvesting and preparing the fruits gifted by the orchard. Learners picked, cleaned, and cut peaches before cooking them into a delicious jam. In the final week, they will celebrate their efforts alongside Explore learners, who will make and provide the oatmeal biscuits for their feast.

 

 

Discovery Year 5. Session 6. Week 4.

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In Week 4, Discoverers continued working hard towards their goals in Work Cycle, Astronomy Quest, and Writers’ Workshop! 

WORK CYCLE

Discovery learners participated in a morning launch on the power of support this week. When asked what support looks like in their community, one Hero noted that support is holding others accountable. A Fellow Traveler shared the sentiment, saying that sometimes supporting someone on their Hero’s Journey takes a tough-minded approach in the face of distraction obstacles. In Friday’s Work Cycle, the Studio was challenged to find an opportunity to lend their light by supporting those around them. 

QUEST

Astronomers in Discovery had the chance to meet a Hero from the field this week! Alongside Explorers, Discoverers listened with intention and awe. Throughout Week 4, Discovery Astronomers explored our Solar System by creating scale models. Energy and focus peaked in a challenge to paint and recreate a 3D model of the Solar System with their Quest group. 

WRITERS’ WORKSHOP

On Thursday, Discoverers wrapped up their second research report of the Session on Astronauts. Learners received peer reviews from Fellow Travelers before working on final drafts. 

We can’t wait to see what Discoverers do next in Session 6! 

Explore Year 5. Session 6. Week 4.

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The learners in Explore started Week 4 of Session 6 with Picture Day! They joined the rest of their fellow travelers and gathered as a whole community to commemorate the year together.

 

QUEST

The learners in Explore dove deeper into Astronomy Quest this week. They conducted research on planetary bodies, then used their findings to inspire a poem about the planet they researched. Explorers used models to deepen their understanding of astronomy and discussed how models support them in achieving their goals. They modeled the formation of our Solar System, created a scale model of our Solar System using beads, string, and a ruler, and built a 3-D model of our Solar System.

At Closing Group each day this week, Explorers took turns reading aloud from a book about epic failures related to space!

On Tuesday, Explorers joined the Discovery learners to welcome a Hero in astronomy. NASA Partner Dawn Davies, manager of the Night Skies program with the Hill Country Alliance, shared her Hero’s Journey story with the learners. Discoverers and Explorers excitedly shared connections they made from Astronomy Quest and asked questions about astronomy.

 

WRITERS’ WORKSHOP

The Explore learners proudly shared the progress they’ve made on their creative writing challenges this week. They stayed in flow during Writers’ Workshop and supported one another by giving feedback and encouragement.

 

FRIDAY OUTING

Explorers landed their week reveling in the nature at Shoal Creek. They walked in the water and pointed out the wild life they saw to one another.

For more from Session 6 Week 4, click here: Explore Session 6, Week 4 photos & videos

Explore Year 5. Session 6. Week 3.

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Explorers got into flow this week. They celebrated milestones in writing, and gave their fellow travelers call-outs for supporting them in reaching those milestones.

 

QUEST

In Astronomy Quest this week, Explorers dove into some of the big forces: tilt & orbit, electromagnetism, and gravity. They became astronomers as they observed the orbit of Earth around the Sun, recorded their findings, sketched the ellipse, then constructed sundials. The Explore learners experimented with electromagnetism and observed the conductivity of salt water, the way NASA scientists have done to discover a subsurface ocean on Jupiter’s moon, Europa! They created magnets using batteries, a nail, and copper wire, and recorded their observations. The Explorers grappled with gravity challenges on Friday. The learners built their own model of the “fabric” of space using a bucket, a bungee cord, and black fabric, then they observed how things with larger mass curve the fabric of space!

   

 

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

The Explore learners flowed into PD on Tuesday and Thursday mornings this week. They lead their own warm-ups of stretching and running two laps around the field. Usually they only run one lap, but this week they decided to push themselves.  For circuit training this week, Explorers stayed at each station for 15 more seconds longer than last week. They motivated each other with encouragement to reach the challenging goal.

 

 

READING BUDDIES

Explore learners have been practicing leadership in their community and continued that this week. Explorers have started supporting Discovery learners by taking time out of their schedule to read with a learner in Discovery. They followed through on their commitments and reflected on what being a leader looks like.

 

Explorers landed their week with call-outs for fellow travelers and a Badge Ceremony. They celebrated their fellow travelers who earned Badges, while those learners shared the challenges they overcame to earn the Badge, as well as what they enjoyed most about the process.

For more from Session 6 Week 3, click here: Explore Session 6, Week 3 photos & videos

Discovery Year 5. Session 6. Week 3.

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In Week 3, Discovery Heroes explored big forces in Astronomy Quest, new tools in Work Cycle, and astronauts in Writers’ Workshop!

WORK CYCLE

Discovery learners took a deep dive into the wide range of tools they use throughout the day. First, the Studio refreshed the tech guardrails. Learners shared their thoughts on each existing line and proposed new guardrails that felt relevant to their community. Discovery Heroes also received new focus boards this week and discussed the purpose the tool. 

QUEST

This week in Quest, Discovery Astronomers learned about big forces in the Universe. Heroes learned about our planet’s tilt and orbit by modeling the Earth’s movement around the sun with a globe and flashlight. Learners experimented in creating an electrical circuits as they researched conductivity and magnetism. Finally, the Studio compared the effects of various weights on elastic fabric to understand gravity and the fabric of space. 

WRITERS’ WORKSHOP 

Discovery Writers began their second research project of the Session. The theme is astronauts! Learners eagerly searched for facts on moonwalkers, rocket pilots, and cosmonauts. Wonder and curiosity filled the yurt as the Studio discovered the intense training required to be an astronaut and read otherworldly accounts of Heroes in space. 

Just like that, we’re halfway through the Session. See you in the second half! 

Explore Year 5. Session 6. Week 2.

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The learners in Explore celebrated Earth Day on Monday by supporting the Spark learners with planting new flowers and herbs in their courtyard.

 

QUEST

In Astronomy Quest this week, Explorers sorted and classified “interstellar dust”, modeled the life cycle of a star, used Hubble’s Galaxy Classification to identify different galaxies by their shape, and dove into black holes with curiosity.

 

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

The Explore learners work hard and play hard in PD. They continued their circuit training and shared how much stronger they feel!

 

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

The learners in Explore had a community discussion about conflict resolution. They reflected on what has been going well, and where they can improve, then brainstormed solutions together.

 

 

FRIDAY OUTING

Explorers were happy to return to Shoal Creek for their Friday outing. They rescued a turtle that was in the path and returned it to the creek, climbed trees, and played together on the treehouse in Pease Park.

 

For more from Session 6 Week 2, click here: Explore Session 6, Week 2 photos & videos

Discovery Year 5. Session 6. Week 2.

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This week, Discoverers dove deeper into Astronomy Quest and Writers’ Workshop while working together as a community to discuss obstacles on the Hero’s Journey. 

WORK CYCLE

Learners in Discovery continued to work towards their goals in Math Power Hour. In Socratic Discussion, Heroes created posters with examples of what resistance and distraction might sound like in the studio. They also brainstormed tools and solutions to overcome each of these obstacles. 3rd-year learners continued the conversation on work ethic by creating action plans to finish the year strong. 

QUEST

Discovery Astronomers explored galaxies, stars, and black holes in Quest this week. Through a series of 10-minute mysteries, learners raced to research the answer to space science’s biggest questions: How old is the oldest galaxy? How many stars are in the universe? What happens when you get too close to a black hole? Astronomers also worked to classify galaxies by shape and to sort stardust according to each element. 

WRITERS’ WORKSHOP 

Writers in Discovery reached the peer review stage of their first research report. Learners shared their findings on Astronomy Heroes and received warm and cool feedback from a Fellow Traveler. After this stage, many Discoverers began work on their final draft!

Week 2 brought great challenges and great rewards. As a tribe, Discovery Heroes remain committed to growing, learning, and working hard. 

Spark Year 5. Session 6. Week 2.

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Following their Spring Break, Sparks dove into Session 6 with welcoming energy, joyfully expressing gratitude for being back together. The learners shared reflections on their time away, practicing their Grace & Courtesy lesson of listening with their eyes and ears when another shared their experience.

Sparks delved into the world of creative arts this week, exploring a variety of new works in the studio. As part of their journey, they explored the intricacies of theatrical plays and musicals, discovering the collaborative effort that goes into such performances, learning about the cast and crew. The learners, filled with anticipation, shared their past experiences and eagerly looked forward to their upcoming field trip to the Zach Theatre for a performance of “The Story of Frog and Toad”.

Week one was a testament to the learners’ commitment to environmental stewardship. In a joint effort with Explore learners, they celebrated Earth Day by showcasing their gardening skills and planting herbs and flowers in their courtyard. This act of responsibility and care for the Earth filled them with a sense of pride and accomplishment, which will be further nurtured as they harvest the herbs later in the session.

During week two, learners continued preparing for their field trip by exploring the beloved story, paying close attention to the celebration of friendship modeled by Frog and Toad. Finally, Thursday arrived, and learners embarked on their adventure to the Zach Scott Theatre. They shared songs and laughter on the bus ride to and from, reflecting on their favorite characters, a group favorite, the Snail mail person.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Friday, the Sparks showcased their creativity by designing characters and creating backgrounds for their upcoming “Theatre in a Box” project. They will present this project to the Ascent community later in the session. The learners expressed their gratitude by writing letters to the cast and crew of “The Story of Frog and Toad,” which they will mail next week.

Explore Year 5. Session 6. Week 1.

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The learners in Explore started Session 6 with shared excitement for Quest, Writers’ Workshop, PD, and more. They dove into hard questions together and reflected on their growth, as well as what respect means to them.

 

QUEST

Explorers are becoming astronomers in Session 6! They kicked off the Astronomy Quest by asking big questions about our universe. The learners in Explore worked together to recreate the Southern Hemisphere night sky, modeled eclipses in three different ways, and put themselves in the shoes of ancient peoples who looked to the stars and made meaning by writing their own creation myths.

 

WRITERS’ WORKSHOP

In Session 6, Writers’ Workshop is all about creative writing. Explorers got into flow as they filled out their Character Maps and other pre-writing challenges.

 

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

The learners in Explore are revisiting circuit training in PD. In Session 2, they set benchmarks for the number of sit-ups they can do in 1 minute, the number of push-ups they can do in 1 minute, and the time it takes them to run the length of the field and back, twice. This week they worked hard to beat those benchmarks, while cheering each other on.

 

Explorers embodied their studio name on their Friday outing to Bull Creek! They walked and swam in the water, then worked together to dry the seats of the van when they arrived back on campus.

 

 

For more from Session 6 Week 1, click here: Explore Session 6, Week 1 photos & videos

Discovery Year 5. Session 6. Week 1.

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Spring has sprung in Discovery! As nature starts anew in the orchard at Ascent, learners blossom into a fresh start for the Session. 

WORK CYCLE

Heroes were eager to resume work toward their goals after the break. Squad Leaders and 3rd-year learners held small group meetings to discuss practices of accountability and support in the Studio. As a whole, Discoverers have dedicated themselves to growing as mathematicians during Math Power Hour this Session. Learners pushed themselves to set challenging SMART goals and found flow throughout Work Cycle.

QUEST

Discoverers transformed into Astronomers in Tuesday’s Quest launch with Explorers. Their Astronomy Quest journey began with a deep dive into the science behind solar and lunar eclipses. Then, the Studio worked together to recreate the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere night sky. On Friday, Heroes gathered to hear ancient star stories from different cultures and called upon their imagination to write their own creation myths.

WRITERS’ WORKSHOP 

Writers in Discovery began research for their first biography of the Session. To start, the Studio is delving into the life and work of Astronomers and Astrophysicists. Learners search for facts on the education and training of notable space scientists while collecting information on their scientific contributions and how they have or will change the world. 

Across the day, Discoverers remain committed to strengthening their community and deepening their connection with one another. In a reflection after a team-building game, one learner shared, “I’m proud of us for continuing to improve our culture.” When asked what growth areas were most noticeable, the Hero stated, “I see it mostly in our kindness, our accountability, and our support.”