Heroes Plan, Lead, and Reflect: Building Toward Exhibition (Sep 29–Oct 3)
Highlights
This week was all about heroes stepping up and leading the way.
Learners began planning their Exhibition of Learning. They came up with their own ideas for how it should look and started working together to make it happen.
One hero stepped up, of their own accord, to run Town Hall this week.
Hero-led games are becoming part of daily life. During free time, Dragon Hunters—a game created and led by heroes—was the top pick again.
Heroes tried out full-circle feedback with 360 Reviews, giving each other warm and cool feedback to help one another grow.
Running Teams met on Monday and Friday. Heroes set goals, shared them with teammates, and checked back in to see how they did by week’s end.
During Character Call-Outs, learners named the heroic character traits they saw in each other and heard reflections about their own positive impact on the studio.
The latest in educational technology for self-paced mastery in reading, writing, and math
Some learners felt confused using DreamBox and Journey Tracker. With new tools, teamwork, and a little trial and error, they figured things out and now have a much clearer sense of how to use both platforms. Learners have started to successfully log their progress on Journey Tracker.
Hands-on, project-based Quests to master the tools and skills needed to solve problems in the real world
Heroes used Quest time to plan their Exhibition. They decided to add a slideshow, which meant learning Google Slides and using email to work with each other on the project.
Written promises and covenants that form a tightly bound community of individuals learning to form authentic friendships and honestly resolve interpersonal problems
Learners signed their Guide–Hero Contracts, marking the promises they make to each other.
A learner who had disagreed with one promise on the draft studio contract earlier brought it back up at Town Hall with new wording. Everyone agreed, and the promise passed.
The studio contract is now finalized after weeks of discussion and word-smithing through the Contract Game.
Fridays are when learners reflect on the week they have just had and plan for the next week and beyond through character call outs, running team meetings, town hall, and full circle feedback. This week heroes had their first 360 Reviews, practicing how to give both warm encouragement and cool, constructive feedback.
Also on Friday, Town Hall—led by a learner—was used to propose new ideas and wrap up the final language for the studio contract.
Deep Socratic discussions about heroes, history, and self-governance to hone critical thinking skills and the ability to powerfully think, write, and speak
Heroes talked about flow and focus—what it feels like to be “in the zone,” how to get there, and what pulls them out.
They revisited their SMART goals, inspired by a video of an eleven-year-old world-class climber who sets big goals for herself.
A round of “Would You Rather” gave heroes a fun way to revisit the Rules of Engagement and to experience the impact they have on discussions.
They took on the Monster of Distraction, making lists of the things that pull them off track. Later, during reflection, they shared what their “monster” said to them—and tore up those papers together.
Heroes also debated: which is more helpful to them for growth—warm or cool feedback? Arguments were made for both sides.
The learners were invited to apply our overarching question of the year, "what motivates a hero?", to how having an outdoor education day on Wednesday affects their motivation through the week.
Memorable quotes from learners this week
“I want to go to the bathroom but I don’t want to stop.” (during Core Skills)
“Remember it has to be a solo body break because we don’t want to distract anyone.” (one learner coaching another)
“This is fun!” (while using Journey Tracker)
“I hope you join us, but it seems like you’re not ready.”
“I would like to request that I read the items for Town Hall today.”
