Financial Debates, Budgeting Challenges & Apprenticeship Preparation (Session 5, Week 3)

Hello Parents!

This week was filled with engaging challenges, thoughtful discussions, and exciting preparation for upcoming adventures. Learners continued building valuable real-world skills through Genre, Quest, Civics, and Apprenticeship work.

Genre: Financial Debates

This week in Genre, learners began preparing the opening statements for their upcoming financial debates. They first identified the five main points they plan to argue and then crafted opening statements focused on their perspectives and supporting ideas. On Thursday, learners shared their statements with peers and received thoughtful critiques and feedback to help strengthen their arguments.

Quest: Budgeting, Cars & Home Ownership

In Quest, learners continued working on budgeting activities connected to the careers assigned by the LaunchPad learners. They created grocery lists that fit within realistic budgets and explored how purchasing a car works, including topics such as down payments, financing, and loans.

Learners also researched the process of buying a home, learning about mortgages, budgeting considerations, and long-term financial planning. These activities helped connect financial literacy concepts to real-world adult responsibilities.

Civics

This week in Civics, learners researched Theodore Roosevelt and reflected on whether they considered him a positive historical figure. Discussions focused on the ways he influenced the nation and whether his actions helped or harmed different groups of people.

Learners also studied the Russo-Japanese War and discussed leadership decisions made during the conflict, including what choices they might have made if they had been in the position of Emperor Meiji.

Apprenticeship Preparation

As part of Apprenticeship, learners selected the first professional they would contact and began drafting polished outreach emails. They researched the individuals they planned to contact and organized information that could help make their messages more thoughtful, personal, and compelling. After drafting their emails, learners exchanged peer critiques to improve clarity and professionalism.

Alpine Overnight Trip Next Week!

Next week, learners will participate in an exciting overnight trip to Alpine alongside four other Acton campuses from across the East Coast. The experience will include campfires, cooking, hiking, team-building, and opportunities to connect with fellow learners from other communities.

Everyone is incredibly excited for the adventure ahead!

Ready to learn more? Apply to join our learner-driven community.

Located in Closter, NJ, Acton Academy Bergen County offers an immersive, studio-based learning experience.

Learn about our learner-driven approach and how we guide real-world growth through mastery-based education.