2024-2025 Session 4 Newsletter

Eagles soared in Session 4! Learners were part of a volunteer service project in our greater community, joining Kids Against Hunger to help pack food for those affected by the LA fires. Eagles also were able to enjoy an afternoon of ice skating as the special field trip selected for this session. In their respective studios, Eagles embarked up quests to explore earth and space science, study game design and create game boards, and delve into the world of classical physics! Learners filled each minute of this session with meaningful work and hands-on exploration.

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Sparks Elementary  Middle School

Sparks Studio

Session 4 Newsletter

Tuesday, January 7 - Friday, February 7, 2025

Hello Acton Friends and Family!

Session 4 was a time of exploration and new discoveries for Sparks. Our learners loved delving into studying our vast galaxy, along with deepening their understanding of the amazing continent of Asia. Sparks also continued strengthening studio systems with new incentives for remembering to treat each other with kindness each day.

Systems and Contract Building

Sparks added a new layer of keeping each other accountable into our studio this session. Our learners are enjoying the challenge of trying to fill up our Kindness Jar with beads as a visual indication of how kind we are to each other on a daily basis. Each afternoon, Sparks reflect as a group as to what specific acts of kindness were shown that day and consider how each kind word and act of kindness goes a long way in keeping our studio a sacred place.

Earth & Space Science Quest

Session 4’s Quest of exploring earth and space science was filled with awe and wonder. Sparks were eager to learn more about our universe, particularly focusing on the planets and stars in our Solar System. Our learners also loved talking about many amazing aspects of earth, including earthquakes, volcanoes, and a variety of geological rocks and gemstones. Sparks completed booklets, painted pictures, and created visual representations of the phases of the moon, asteroids and comets, and the way the moon and earth orbit the sun. 

Badges

Sparks earned many badges this session, the newest being for Quest and Music. Eagles put forth a great effort in each of these areas of study, along with their many other subjects of learning, including Reading, Writing, Math, Gym, Art, and computer learning.

CORE

As Sparks have continued to build upon their Reading, Writing, and Math skills, each learner has been reading passages, writing sentences, and using Montessori beads to solve problems that are specific to their own unique level of understanding. Eagles have been strengthening their reading comprehension skills, as well as deepening their grasp of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. 

Sparks also have been continuing to improve in their typing skills, focusing on how to type correctly on the keyboard, with hands and fingers in the correct position. Learners also continue to enjoy practicing math skills with Dreambox and reading skills with Nessy.

Discovery Time

Discovery time continues to be an opportunity for understanding how to build words correctly, as well as how to solve math problems with visual aids. Sparks have been using sight word cubes and fragment strips to build sentences. Learners also have been using math beads to visualize quantities of numbers. Eagles have been especially interested throughout this session in using our scale to explore weights and gain insight into how gravity works. 

Geography: Asia

Sparks had a blast learning all about Asia. From creating and matching flags to the correct Asian country, to journaling about the various wildlife and biomes across this region, to studying the remarkable landmarks found in this part of the world, Eagles enjoyed furthering their knowledge of this expansive continent. Sparks also had fun creating lanterns for Lunar New Year!

Physical Education

Sparks have continued to alternate being “Gym Leader” each day, taking turns leading the group in warm-up stretches and activities. Eagles have also focused specifically on playing soccer this session, learning how to work together as a team and how to build confidence participating in a sport that takes skill and focus. 

Music

Music with Ms. Prezleigh was so much fun this session as Eagles were part of a Musical Theater production! Practicing speaking roles throughout the show was a new experience for some of our Sparks. Singing iconic songs from major shows was such a joy for each learner to be a part of as this special genre of performing arts came to life. 

Art

In Art, Sparks enhanced space science learning by creating artwork related to our galaxy. From painting astronaut helmets, to making paper plate planets, to coloring pictures of the solar system, Eagles enjoyed this outer space-themed artistic focus. 

Valentine’s Party

Sparks were able to enjoy a sweet time of creating handcrafted cards for their loved ones during our end-of-session Valentine’s Party. Eagles all came together for this lovely time of crafting, which was followed by a delicious pizza lunch! Complete with yummy heart cookies, this was a wonderful way to end the session on a special note.

Field Trip: Ice Skating

One of the highlights of this session was the ice skating field trip to TriValley Ice in Dublin! Sparks came bundled up in their cozy coats, beanies, and mittens, ready to take on the ice. Eagles had so much fun showing off their skating skills, along with helping each other build confidence on the rink. This was a memorable experience for all!

Exhibition

Session 4’s exhibition provided another opportunity for Eagles to display and demonstrate what they have been learning over the course of the session. Sparks shared planet reports with their families, played a space true and false trivia game, and had parents guessing which famous landmark of Asia they were spelling in a studio favorite game of hangman. 

Closing Statements

Sparks have really brought learning to life in Session 4 and we are looking forward to the new growth and learning opportunities ahead in the next session! Thank you families for your continued support and we will see you after the Winter Break!

Elementary School Studio

Session 4 Newsletter

Tuesday, January 7 - Friday, February 7, 2025

Hello Acton Friends and Family!

Session 4 was an exciting mix of creativity, strategy, and teamwork. Eagles explored the world of game design, persuasive writing, and the Middle Ages, while also staying active in a variety of sports. From crafting their own board games, to playing soccer, volleyball, and basketball, this session was full of hands-on learning and fun. Eagles also gave back to the community through a meaningful volunteer project.

Game Design Quest: Casino Day & Game Expo

Eagles explored probability and strategy while analyzing different types of games. Through Game Design Challenges, they studied how luck and skill affect outcomes, critiqued games in the PLAY Lab, and even tried their hand at creating their own offline and online games. During Casino day, Eagles put their knowledge of probability to the test in a fun, hands-on way. In Game Expo, each Eagle presented their own board game and digital game, allowing families and peers to play and vote for their favorites.

Writer’s Workshop: Letters & Persuasive Essays

This session, Eagles took on two major writing challenges. First, they crafted a formal letter to a hero, researching their chosen figure and writing heartfelt letters expressing gratitude and curiosity. Each step of the writing process was carefully followed, from brainstorming to peer critiques, before mailing their final letters.

Eagles also wrote persuasive essays advocating for the protection of a National Park. They had to research, form strong arguments, and convince a philanthropist to fund their chosen park. During the Exhibition, they proudly presented their essays and writing portfolios, showcasing their growth as writers.

Civilization: The Middle Ages

This session’s history lessons focused on The Story of the World: The Middle Ages (Section 3). Eagles explored important events, key figures, and battles that shaped the era. Through reading, geography activities, and writing tasks, they deepened their understanding of medieval times and engaged in thoughtful discussions about history.

Music: Musical Theater

This session, Eagles took center stage in a musical theater performance under the guidance of Ms. Prezleigh. They worked hard to learn songs, practice stage presence, and bring their performance to life. Through rehearsals and teamwork, they pulled off a fantastic show, showcasing their creativity, confidence, and dedication. Their performance was a highlight of the session, leaving families and peers impressed with their talent and enthusiasm!

Physical Education

This session was packed with sports and physical challenges! Eagles honed their skills in soccer, basketball, badminton, and volleyball while also improving teamwork and sportsmanship.

Beyond sports, Eagles also participated in team-building games to strengthen communication and support within their groups. These activities reinforced the importance of encouragement, resilience, and playing with integrity.

Festivities: Valentine’s Day & Ice Skating

This session, Eagles embraced the spirit of friendship and creativity with a Valentine’s Day celebration, handcrafting special projects and sharing kind messages. They also enjoyed an exciting ice skating field trip, where they practiced balance, perseverance, and, of course, had a blast on the ice!

Volunteering: Kids Against Hunger

Service was an important part of this session, as Eagles volunteered at Kids Against Hunger to help pack food for individuals affected by the LA fires. This hands-on experience allowed them to see the impact of their efforts and reflect on the power of giving back.

Exhibition & Badge Ceremony

At the end of the session, Eagles proudly displayed their work for families during Exhibition, presenting their game designs, persuasive essays, and letters to heroes. The session wrapped up with the Badge Ceremony, where learners were recognized for their hard work and achievements.

Conclusion

Session 4 was a time of growth, creativity, and teamwork. Eagles tackled new challenges in writing, sports, and game design while also making a difference through volunteer work. We are so proud of their accomplishments and can’t wait for what’s next in Session 5!

Middle School Studio

Session 4 Newsletter

Tuesday, January 7 - Friday, February 7, 2025

Hello Acton Friends and Family!

Session 4 brought new challenges and experiences to the MS Eagles across their Acton experience. From Physics projects in Quest to volunteering for those in need, these Eagles shined in the opportunity to practice their determination and came out with new tools for the outside world.

Genre: “Persuade Me” - Persuasive Essay

Eagles transitioned from Session 3’s persuasive outlines to fully developed persuasive essays. Building on skills from the previous session, they worked hard to craft compelling arguments and refine their writing. Their confidence in persuasive writing has grown, with continuous feedback from their peers supporting the formulation of their opinions on topics ranging from education systems to holiday traditions.

Quest: Physics 1 - Classical Physics

While some might see physics as an intimidating challenge, our MS Eagles embraced it with excitement. From levers to pulleys—and even bungee jumping—their hands-on experiences made for a thrilling session. The adventure began with handmade cars tumbling down ramps, setting the tone for an engaging and educational Quest. Along the way, the Eagles faced challenges related to Hooke's Law, Spring Constants, and more theories with the math behind the action. This challenge they took with grace, and pushed themselves to their limit. A special guest, Davis, a high school veteran of the Physics Quest, joined as an intern, mentoring Eagles through physics challenges and guiding discussions on problem-solving.

Physical Education (P.E.)

This session brought on new challenges and teamwork! Utilizing their strengths in communication and collaboration, the Eagles tackled sports such as soccer, basketball, badminton, and volleyball. Our P.E. period also opens up opportunities to explore group games that get the heart racing. These fun-filled activities typically involved races to escape a main antagonist, or chasing to protect their team's item of interest like in Capture the Flag.

Music

Our Eagles have the special opportunity to take on Musical Theater with their music instructor Ms. Prezleigh. As they practiced singing musical hits such as “Tomorrow” from Annie and  “Do-Re-Mi” from Sound of Music, the Eagles were also challenged to rehearse a stage production with props and collaborative footwork!

Festivities: Valentine’s Card Making

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Acton parent representatives planned a lovely event where Eagles spent an hour crafting handmade Valentine’s cards. The studio became a colorful display of pinks, reds, and more as they worked on making thoughtful and creative cards.

Volunteering: KAH & LA Fire Relief

This session also brought a special opportunity for Eagles to practice Acton in Action by supporting those affected by the LA Fires. Through the Kids Against Hunger program, AAEB Eagles packed 24,408 meals in just 90 minutes! Their dedication and empathy for their community was inspiring, and we hope this experience encourages lifelong service and compassion.

Exhibition 

As the session wrapped up, families joined us for an Exhibition featuring Eagles’ physics experiments. Highlights included an EGGxtreme challenge, with a brave egg performing a bungee jump from 100 inches into Lake Acton, demonstrations of pulley systems and racing cars they crafted, and finally a presentation of their persuasive essays, showcasing their writing growth. Each Exhibition makes for a meaningful end to their hard work on display.

Closing

Session 4 challenged MS Eagle's determination and perseverance. They used their strengths as a team to overcome this feat and the rewards of their grit will carry on. The next session brings on new experiences that we can't wait to share with you. See you in Session 5!