Revel Recap: October 25 - 29, 2021
Spark Studio
Mindfulness
This week for mindfulness, the Sparks have been focusing on the topic of the moon and Halloween. For Monday meditation, the Sparks listened to a story where they had to imagine themselves on the moon in their rocket ships. They then shared their time on the moon and had wonderful conversations with the other learners. Tuesday and Thursday, we enjoyed mindfulness colouring activities based on Halloween and the moon. For yoga, the Sparks moved and stretched their bodies, pretending to be astronauts on the moon. To cap off our week, we took time to work on our gratitude journals on Friday.
Quest
Our Quest focus this week was on the moon! The Sparks already knew so much about the moon even before we began our study. On Monday, we introduced the moon by reading Moon! Earth’s Best Friend. The story explains that wherever Earth goes, the moon goes. The Sparks then created their own “Mini Moon Book,” which focused on the eight phases of the moon along with a few simple, fun facts. We also spoke about moon rovers, and the Sparks had time to create their moon vehicle using Lego. On Tuesday, in groups, the Sparks helped create the phases of the moon using Oreos. To continue their learning on the different phases, we read the book, So That’s How The Moon Changes Shape. This week, the word gravity was heard frequently throughout the studio, so the guides created a “Gravity Race” game, introducing Issac Newton so that Sparks had a better understanding of gravity. The game consisted of having two objects and dropping them from the same height to see which one would hit the floor first. The Sparks enjoyed the races and began to find objects to use in their experiments. On Wednesday, the learners watched a video about the Tesla launched into space which inspired many questions and conversations in the studio. The Sparks worked independently to sort out the moon’s phases on Thursday after listening to and learning a song that helped us remember the order. As a studio, we also did a recap on the whiteboard about everything we learned over the week, and it was incredible to listen to everyone’s responses.
French
This week in French class, the focus was on the letter F. We started on Monday by practicing writing the letter F on the whiteboard. Then, the Sparks guessed the words that Mme Marie drew on the board: feuille, fleur, fraise, fantôme and fusée! We ended our first class of the week with a reading of Le Voleur de Feuilles by Alice Hemming. Tuesday was all about les fantômes! We watched an episode of “Les petits fantômes” and made our own spooky ghosts out of paper cups. On Wednesday, the Sparks followed a step-by-step video to learn how to draw une sorcière. Lastly, on Thursday, we looked at a few more words beginning with la lettre F, and completed our letter F activity.
Additional Highlights
We were quite festive this week when it came to learning! In the Spark Studio, we have coordinated our mornings by focusing on Bob Books, letter of the week - F, sight word of the week - he, using our maths books, writing books, and the materials on the shelves. As this week approached Halloween, the Sparks learned about the lifecycle of a pumpkin and had the opportunity to decorate the studio. We also took part in Revel's first Pumpkin Run and had fun Trick or Treating around the school in our costumes on Friday! We hope you have a Happy Halloween!
Discovery Studio
Mindfulness
This week on Monday and Wednesday, Rebels focused on how radial symmetry can represent mindfulness (and even be used as a meditation!) through the mindful colouring of circles and mandalas. We discussed how many other cultures use radial symmetry, like Rangoli, in the Hindu celebration of Diwali. On Tuesday and Thursday, yogi Rebels stretched through variations of sun salutations to get the energy flowing through the entire body before the workday. On Friday, we attended the fabulous Halloween costume parade!
Launches
On Monday morning, Rebels discussed 20 Things we should say more often and proper Halloween etiquette, while on Tuesday, Rebels solved some Halloween-themed charades with Mme Marie. On Wednesday, NASA Rebel Recruits explored training like an astronaut, looking at cadet drill positions like standing at attention and “at ease.” We listened to astronaut Mike from the Johnson Space Centre as he started his two-year training journey, focusing on the physical training involved and how to take care of your body pre and post-workout. Thursday, we had a great launch led by one of our Rebels, reminding the team always to employ “The Power of Yet.” During Friday’s edition of Current Events, Rebels explored Saturn in anticipation of their Deep Dive Mission into the Outer Planets next week. We then celebrated Josh Cavallo’s recent announcement, coming out as the first male gay top-level football player. We also discussed the most popular costumes for Halloween this year and how they related to trends in the media.
French
This week in French class, we started our focus on the CH sound. On Tuesday, we filled our witch’s cauldron, or chaudron, with words that have the CH sound in them. Then, we practiced writing them. Next week, five of those words will be in our spelling quiz: chat, chapeau, chaudron, chouette and chauve-souris. The Rebels also followed a step-by-step video to learn how to draw a witch. Finally, we all made witch hats on Thursday using a French video tutorial and a little help from the Launchpad Rebels!
Math Lab
The focus of Math Lab this week was the different ways that mathematicians can represent and communicate their ideas. Draw and Anchor Rebels had to use bRoKeN ruler pieces to measure the perimeter of some basic figures. They quickly realized the importance of understanding a ruler as a number line, and how to use the benchmark numbers correctly, starting to count at zero, to measure side lengths of a shape accurately. Rebels in Aim and Release also deepened their understanding of measurement relationships, especially the different units we use to represent perimeter (linear, one-dimensional) and area (two-dimensional surfaces). They completed more decomposing practice with irregular figures into smaller areas. Some were even working through the proofs for the area formulas of rectangles, triangles, parallelograms and trapezoids.
Reader/Writer
This week in Reader Writer, Aim and Release Rebels completed their first of three spelling tests focusing on the “oo” sound spelled “oo, ue, u, ew.” We took a deep dive into quotation marks and used dialogue in a text through a fun “Hot Seat” game! Rebels explored and discussed how we use quotation marks and incorporate the correct punctuation inside and outside of the quotes to elevate the texts we are creating for the picture book Field Trip to the Moon. Rebels spent the rest of the time working on their Reader Writer checklists, writing the story to support Field Trip to the Moon images, or practicing the next spelling word list in preparation for Week 4’s test. On Wednesday, Draw and Anchor Rebels completed their first of three spelling tests as well, focusing on short e and long e words (spelled ea, ie, ee, e, and y). Rebels then completed some writing checklist work as they listened to our Week 2 Mentor Text, You Are Stardust. We wrapped up with a fun Ten Minute Tales that centred around aliens and hamburgers!
Quest
Rebels began their first part of Space Mission 287RA: Operation Planet Deep Dive. With the Rebels in their Space Task Force Roles, they embarked on the exploration of the first four inner planets in our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. They created incredible digital and hard copy resources that included scientific facts and images about each planet. Rebels tested their research skills and fact-checked their information through various sites and non-fiction books to ensure their information was accurate. They then honed their observation and communication skills in an Instant Team Challenge on Wednesday, focusing on satellite technology that Canadian Geographic cartographers used to create a different view of Canada from Space. Rebels had to re-assemble a giant map puzzle by studying each of the 100 pieces carefully, looking for patterns! Next week, we will be exploring the outer planets: Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus and Saturn, and Rebels will present their findings to the other scientists to be approved for the final stages of this Quest’s Mission in Weeks 4 and 5. Participation in the special Joint Task Force Mission: Papier-Maché Planets with the Spark Studio next week will also count towards promotion to the next level.
Physical Development
This week, two of our Exploration Learners ran a Halloween-themed Fitness Escape Room! Rebels were given puzzles to complete and then had to pick an exercise out of a cauldron before being given the next task. After finishing the rotation, Rebels were given a key to escape as well as a treat! The other Rebels chose to either go for a hike or play Sabakiball in the gym. On Wednesday, we had our first Annual Revel Pumpkin Run! Rebels from Spark, Discovery and Exploration, got together to cheer each other on through two team relays, 100m and 200m sprints, and 400m and 1km long-distance events. To celebrate, each participant (cheering section included) got to take home their very own mini pumpkin!
Civilizations
Rebels were busy this week developing their Ancient Egyptian artifacts. We have a tremendous variety of projects on the go, from paintings to 3D models of monuments with hieroglyphics, replicas of the Nile River and surrounding landscape, and a full-size King Tutankhamun’s tomb!
Additional Highlights
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Friday morning’s red carpet was full of spook-tacular costumes as Rebel’s participated in a costume parade for families! The fun didn’t stop all day as Fun Friday involved trick-or-treating around the studios.
Exploration Studio
Launches
The learners have returned to the saddle with being in charge of launches. Since the learners are working on both a Reconciliation goal and running a launch, some learners chose to combine the two. This week, one Rebel ran a launch on the Algonquin language, showing us an Algonquin dictionary and equipping us with the skills for pronouncing a few words. On Thursday, another learner showed us the CBC Indigenous website, a great news source for diving into the many facets of Indigenous life. The learner also told us about a news story that developed this week in which the province of New Brunswick banned their employees from using the word “unceded” and “unsurrendered” in their land acknowledgements. Deagan ran a launch on donations centring around how much money people should donate and if it is fair to spend money on things you don’t need.
French
Exploration Rebels kicked off the week solving some Halloween-themed charades during Monday’s French launch. Our week centred around finishing up our introductions for the pen pals, as well as discussing the final project for this session, un magazine de monstres. On Wednesday, we picked out some of the types of articles we will be writing for our magazine. Since we will spend significant time writing to our penpals, this session’s theme will extend into Session 3 to focus on the quality of our final product. This week we also made Halloween-themed lanterns out of glass jars and tissue paper!
Documentary
Learners are digging deep into their documentaries and have set deadlines for themselves and their groups for the remaining four weeks of the session. Deagan discovered that we are right next door to GAPC, a film production company that makes documentaries and other film productions. He has connected with the president to cultivate a partnership, and we plan on visiting them in January when the learners are starting to edit their productions. Deagan is also talking with their animator and editor to see if they are open to having some learners complete an apprenticeship with them. Stay tuned!
Math Lab
To further celebrate Halloween, Exploration Rebels used this week’s Math Lab session to solve a STEAM challenge. Learners were asked to build a contraption that could deliver candy either the farthest distance or with the most accuracy. However, there were a few constraints to work around that proved to be complicated. Rebels could not touch or throw the candy and could not use too much strength to make the device work. The majority of the delivery systems seemed to use a slingshot method, although a couple of trebuchet/catapult devices were built.
This past week we introduced the Exploration Studio Problem of the Week! Rebels will have from Monday to Friday to come up with their solution and turn it in for the opportunity to earn a Rebel Buck and the GOLDEN DUMPLING! This week Rebels worked hard to solve a Halloween logic problem, and it was great to see so many learners giving it a go!
Quest
We started the week with the learners creating a podcast where they interviewed their fellow learners. The purpose of the project was twofold: for the learners to develop their interview skills and have the experience of creating one podcast under their belts. The learners shared their podcasts and received feedback, the common thread being the topic of contexting. Many of the learners started their podcasts with the first question instead of introducing themselves and stating the podcast’s purpose.
Apprenticeship Prep / Elective
We only have a few learners who haven’t secured their apprenticeship at this time. The learners are quite enjoying this period twice a week as a “flex” period. If learners are behind on some of their goals or sessional work, they can use this time to catch up. However, if a Rebel has a project they want to work on or a skill they want to develop outside the scope of the other periods of the day, this is their time to do that. One learner is choosing to create 1000 paper cranes, another is leading science experiments with the Sparks, and a third learner is creating sketches of impactful people and telling their stories.
Physical Development
This week, two of our Exploration Learners ran a Halloween-themed Fitness Escape Room! Rebels were given puzzles to complete and then had to pick an exercise out of a cauldron before being given the next task. After finishing the rotation, Rebels were given a key to escape as well as a treat! The other Rebels chose to either go for a hike or play Sabakiball in the gym. The highlight of PD this week was undoubtedly the pumpkin run on Wednesday. Each of the learners participated in a race, ranging in lengths with the tantalizing reward of a pumpkin awaiting them at the finish line. This was a great school culture activity where young and old participated!
Launchpad
Project X
This week Exploration Rebels used guiding questions on inequality and measures to focus their Project X inquiry. Though incomes have improved for many people worldwide in the last century, inequality between nations and people remains a feature of our world. Economists and historians often discuss the transition from a "two-hump" to a "one-hump" world. As more and more people escape extreme poverty, inequality might be declining. However, how we present data on inequality can drastically change the way we perceive it. Is inequality really falling? How should we measure inequality?
Geography/Cartography
We began our Geography sessions this week, learning more about landforms. In Canada, landform regions (also known as physiographic regions) are made up of diverse landscapes that contain a set of unique physical features. For their assignment, Rebels were asked to explore some of the landforms that make up Canada, and how they affect where people live. Learners also learned more about Canada's Natural Resources, including our intact forest landscapes, freshwater ecoregions, minerals, and oil and gas.
World Building
Cartography! This week, learners launched into mapmaking as they created their world's general form, coastline, mountains, forests, rivers, and water. Once the basic landforms were drawn, we began focusing on where to place the towns, cities, castles, and holdfasts. We also discussed icons and typography. Typography can be one of the most essential elements in cartography, and it can contribute significantly to the success or failure of a map. Rebels thought about what type of script they would like to use and how they will label their locations and features. Once we had completed the most basic map components, we started thinking about landmarks and iconography, including the compass rose. Rebels who had time began designing their political boundaries and their heraldry and shield designs if they were interested.
Chemistry
In Chemistry, learners did a deep dive into the states of matter. After defining a series of terms, Rebels completed a series of practice problems on pure substances and heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures. Using the PHET States of Matter simulation, Rebels also conducted an experiment and wrote up a summary including illustrations that described differences and similarities between solids, liquids and gases on a molecular level. Launchpad Rebels then read about psi, how a tire gauge works to check tire pressure and then used the simulation to see if their ideas of "gas pressure" matched the molecular representation in the simulation. Lastly, they used the simulation to change the phase of one of the substances, making a data table showing the tests and results. On Thursday, Rebels contemplated if scientists should be responsible for their discoveries and the products their knowledge creates. There is no doubt that chemistry has changed humanity for the better and catapulted us towards a healthier future. However, chemistry has led to some of the most destructive forces the world has known. After reading a series of articles, Launchpad Rebels answered a series of Socratic questions regarding Fritz Haber and his invention used for chemical warfare, the chemists behind Roundup, the scientists behind the lithium-ion battery, and those responsible for medical treatments like chemotherapy.
Indigenous Canada
This week's course unit was entitled "Indigenous Women, Girls, and Genderful People," a chance for us to explore Indigenous concepts of gender and traditional roles and responsibilities. We also learned about how colonization could be viewed as a gendered project. Rebels also took time to write a press release and their reflection on their Walk for Wenjack experience.
Potential Discussion Ideas or Questions to Ask your Rebel:
Spark:
What were some of the Sparks dressed up as for Halloween?
Can you show an example from the gravity game?
What words start with the letter F?
Spark French:
Which letter did you learn about this week? What are some French words that begin with the letter F?
Discovery:
Aim and Release: How do you use quotation marks in a text? Can you give me an example of how to use them correctly?
Draw and Anchor: What was the story You Are Stardust about that you listened to in Reader Writer this week?
Aim and Release: What strategy would you use to find the area of a composite figure? Would you teach me how it works?
Draw and Anchor: Would you show me how you can use a ruler to find the perimeter of something in the house?
Quest: What is your favourite of the inner planets? What are some of its characteristics or special features?
Discovery French:
How do you make the "sh" sound in French? What are some words that have CH in them?
Exploration:
How are you using your Apprenticeship/Elective time?
As we enter the session's halfway point, how do you feel about your goals and current progress?
Exploration French:
What type of article would you like to write for the magazine?
Launchpad:
Is it fair that some chemists get recognition and praise while others get punished for their inventions?
How is the first draft of your World Building map progressing? Are you thinking about what you have learned about landforms and where people live while creating your map?