Week 22: New challenges, the beauty of a mixed-age studio, and big hearts

This week we continued on the next leg of our journey of the Communications Quest! Morgan prepared the challenge for our heroes on Monday morning, and after our Socratic launch the studio jumped into action, working on completing their reading and writing goals to "unlock" the next step in the quest.

One of our oldest learners is very adept at cursive handwriting and has inspired others in the studio. This week, two of these young people took the leap from printing to learning cursive, guided under the watchful eye of their peer. This is one of the beautiful aspects of multi-age learning - children enjoy learning from one another, and the pride they feel when they're able to bestow their knowledge on a friend is palpable. Like begets like, and the happiness and purpose they feel from helping others inevitably leads to more such actions.

This week our Badge Bell got a real workout, with multiple heroes getting the chance to jump up, ring the bell, and add a badge to their crest. They earned badges for conquering another level of BOB mountain (reading) and completing another drawer of Waseca (spelling, reading and writing). It's so heartwarming to see the smiles spread across everyone's faces when this happens, and how they all stop to celebrate their friend, offering congratulations, fist pumps, and big hugs!

There was a new addition to our Spark play materials, when one of our learners brought a huge bin of lego from home to share with the group. Of all the toys I love watching children play with, Lego is at the very top of my list! Show me a more focused and joyful child than one seated at a blanket strewn with Lego pieces - endless possibilities and opportunity for creativity. Suffice to say, I think these have a permanent place on our Spark Play shelf going forward!

We were graced with such beautiful weather this week, and our parking lot turned into a maze/hopscotch challenge/racing track! It was so much fun watching them create new games, establish rules, and challenge themselves to timed relay races. All we guides had to do was set out the chalk and they took care of the rest!

We parted ways on Thursday afternoon, with Valentine's Day being a Pro-D Day. Before then, every child brought Valentine's cards to share with their friends. No one was left out, and it was hard to tell which they liked more - receiving a Valentine, or giving one. The bonds in this tribe are strong, and it's heartwarming to see how much these children care for each other.

In the wise words of one of the biggest inspirations behind Acton Academy, "There is no possession more valuable than a good and faithful friend." _Socrates