Core Skills, Carnival Quest, House Cup & Creative Learning (Session 1, Week 4)

Oct 6

3 min read

Hello fellow learners, parents, and everyone else!

This was quite a full week for our Discovery learners, so let’s get into it!

Monday

On Monday, we started with our morning launch and then moved into Core Skills. This was the first week using our new Core Skills System. Learners can earn different levels based on the points they complete through their Core Skills work:

Level 1: 0–149 points
Level 2: 150–249 points
Level 3: 250+ points

This was also our first week getting to use the freedom levels we earned last week!

After Core Skills, we had a 30-minute brain break outside. Since it was a rainy day, our outdoor free time turned into indoor free time, where learners had lots of different options to choose from.

During DEAR (Drop Everything and Read), learners read books and worked on book proposals and reviews.

Next came Carnival Quest, where we got into our groups and continued developing our ideas for the upcoming carnival. We finished the day with Studio Maintenance and Closing Group before heading home.

Tuesday

Tuesday began with a morning launch, where we voted for our Falcon Buck and Excellence Committee members.

After that, we had Core Skills, with everyone working hard to finish their weekly goals, followed by another 30-minute brain break.

We then moved into Math Lab and Art. North and South alternated between these activities on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

During Art, learners continued working on the cardboard mini rooms they started the previous week. In Math Lab, we played a math game, had an ALEKS competition, and then had time for math paper races and math card games.

After some outdoor free time with friends, we headed into Writers’ Workshop. This week, we wrote about the Monster of Victimhood. Writers had different word-count challenges depending on their level:

Beginner Writers: 50 words
Skilled Writers: 100 words
Advanced Writers: 150 words
Extreme Writers: 200 words

Everyone worked hard to complete the challenge before moving on to Studio Maintenance and Closing Group.

Wednesday

Wednesday started with our morning launch, followed by House Cup Core Skills. During House Cup Core Skills, learners from different studios work together in their Houses, allowing everyone to get the support they need and make use of the Focus Room.

Next came Physical Development (PD). Learners could choose from activities such as track, Capture the Flag, musical standing, and other fun options.

After outdoor free time, we returned to Carnival Quest, where everyone continued working on their projects, whether they were creating a booth, planning entertainment, or designing a ride.

We finished with Studio Maintenance before heading home after another very full day!

Thursday

Thursday started with regular Core Skills, followed by our 30-minute break and reflection.

Then we had Math Lab and Art, where learners either worked on their math goals or continued developing their cardboard mini-room projects.

After outdoor free time, it was time for Writers’ Workshop. This time, we were introduced to a whole collection of new monsters:

Monster of Apathy
Monster of Entitlement
Monster of Mediocrity
Monster of Criticism
Monster of Popularity
Monster of Fear
Monster of Enablement
Monster of Control

Each learner chose one monster and wrote about it, including ideas about how to drive that monster away. These were new concepts for many of us, which made this challenge especially interesting!

Friday

We started Friday with morning launch and Core Skills, followed by Board Game Time. Learners got to choose a board game and play with other members of the studio.

After outdoor free time, we returned to Carnival Quest and continued working on our projects for the carnival, which will be part of our upcoming exhibition.

Once Carnival Quest was finished, we cleaned up and gathered for House Cup Closing Group. Instead of our regular Closing Group, we gathered with our Houses and competed against another House in a game. The winning House earned points toward the House Cup!

We finished the week with a House Reflection Circle, giving everyone a chance to reflect with their House.

And that’s a wrap on Session 1, Week 4! It was another busy week filled with learning, creativity, teamwork, and plenty of opportunities for learners to take ownership of their work.

See you next week!

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