Author: JVnPaul

3/16 – 3/22 From the Spark Studio From Miss Anna I’m often pleasantly surprised at how learning experiences unfold in our learner-driven environment. I’ve found that meaningful learning is usually unplanned and initiated by the heroes.  One example of this happened during our outside time on Wednesday. Two of our heroes were having a pretty… Continue reading Planned and unplanned…

3/9-3/15 There are a lot of moving parts to CHOICE (and all Acton Academies). Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. And yet, there are some basics that we are wise to reflect on again and again. These are the basic processes of self-governance and self-management: learner driven core skills, town hall, studio maintenance, guides not answering… Continue reading The Acton Basics

3/2-3/8 From the Spark Studio From Miss Anna This week we explored different avenues for increasing intrinsic motivation to do core skills. It’s so important to me that our heroes learn young that reading, writing and math is fun and meaningful! We are working with a “Core Skills” board, where each Hero gets to choose… Continue reading Intrinsically motivated

2/23-3/1 From the Spark Studio From Miss Anna We had a great week back and an exciting kickoff for our Space Explorers Quest! Very few things bring me more excitement than sharing my passions with others. I LOVE space! I grew up looking through telescopes often, finding the constellations in the night sky and talking… Continue reading New session, new quests, new fun!

Week 21: 2/9-2/11 From the Spark Studio From Miss Nina: We certainly ended on a high note as we finished the human body quest. Heroes focused on challenging works and found satisfaction in stretching themselves. They enjoyed finishing their anatomy models and getting creative footage for the “My Amazing Body” video. I heard several of… Continue reading Exhibition pain and pleasure…

Week 20: 2/2-2/8 As guides we came back this week hoping to empower our heroes with tools to work through specific challenges we observed the previous week. The heroes grasped onto these tools, and had a great time while doing it! These heroes are so fun! From the Spark Studio From Miss Nina Next week… Continue reading Important Work

Week 19 1/26-2/1 When we signed on to this journey we were all told it would be messy and challenging. As parents, heroes, and guides, sometimes we find that it is more messy and more challenging than we expected. From the Spark Studio: From Miss Nina: I often watch the heroes play tetherball. They put… Continue reading Not for the faint of heart…

Week 18: 1/19-1/25 From the Spark Studio From Miss Nina: This week I loved seeing each of the heroes in flow. I saw individuals move past their comfort zone and try hard things. I saw heroes choose works that engaged them in deep learning. Heroes were excited to learn more about the human body and… Continue reading Excellence is becoming the norm…

Week 17: 1/12-1/18 From the Spark Studio From Nina: This week we learned about my favorite subject, the brain. The heroes enjoyed exploring the books and videos I shared. Learning about the brain gives us tools to regulate emotions and make better choices, rather than becoming upset. One of my highlights, after talking about how… Continue reading Amazing brains!

Week 16: 1/4-1/11 Surprises lurk around every corner as we begin our new session in the new year… From the Spark Studio From Miss Nina: I have been looking forward to being a guide while Miss Anna is out with her baby. While training in the Spark studio, I sensed that the heroes had a… Continue reading Surprise!