Intentionality
A big focus this week was intentionality: doing something with purpose. On Monday, as a group, the childrens’ focus was all over the place. They played and chatted instead of doing their core skills. Discussion attendance was spotty at best. Finally, two heroes rose up and said, “we can’t take this!”
The next morning we used the I.C.E.E. framework – Intentionality, Civility, Energy, Excellence – and the children diagnosed that the studio was lacking intentionality. They brainstormed what the studio would look like and sound like during core skills if they were all intentional. And they suggested systems for discussion at the next Town Meeting to keep each other accountable and intentional.
That morning, during core skills, a person could hear a pin drop in the studio. The children were incredibly focused and excited to work with purpose. They were also proud of their ability to problem-solve, be honest with each other, and determine with each other what kind of learning community they want to build.
Learner-Led Town Meetings and Socratic Discussions
Speaking of Town Meeting, this Friday, the Discovery heroes led their own Town Meeting. Their focus was systems to reward intentionality. The first system adopted was “Checks and X’s” where the heroes will earn checks and X’s if they either show up, or don’t show up, respectively, on time and prepared for launches (discussions). The second was a promise to start every morning core skills in silence, so each of them can more easily drop into flow and focus.
Tranquility Thursdays
The children have been learning about various mindfulness techniques. Each week, they seem to enjoy it more and more! This week the heroes explored mantra meditation to help focus concentration. Other weeks, they have practiced belly breathing, color breathing, mindful eating raisin meditation, mountain meditation and body scan. While the weather is still warm-ish we plan to explore walking meditation.
Quest
This week’s quest challenge was “Costs and Risks.” The children role-played characters in “Sally the Seller” – Sally purchased supplies from the hardware store clerk to make picture frames to sell at the outdoor market. Through this role play, the Discovery heroes explored the meaning of revenues, variable costs, fixed costs, sunk costs and profit.
They also explored various concepts related to the time value of money as well as risk. If you were offered $100 today or $100 in a year from now, which would you choose? Ask your child why!
Finally, they prepared their snack mix for the Lemonade Standoff and worked on calculating their estimated profit for the exhibition.
Core Skills
Typically, the children set themselves a daily core skills S.M.A.R.T. goal, and work towards that in the morning. This week, they started setting three weekly S.M.A.R.T. goals. If they complete their goals for the week, they earn the “Friday Mystery Reward.” This practice will help them develop longer-term planning skills, and will give them the life-skill of setting their own priorities and sticking to them.
