Revel Recap: December 6 - 10, 2021
Spark Studio
Mindfulness
With lots of snowfalls and rainy days, the guides introduced the Sparks to mindful listening. For this type of meditation, the Sparks rested their bodies on their yoga mats and listened to the instrumental version of Octopus Garden by the Beatles. At the end of the song, the Sparks shared an instrument they heard and practiced the sounds themselves. On Monday, the Sparks worked on their breathing and being kind to themselves. The learners repeated the message, “May you be happy, may you be healthy, may you be safe, and may your life be filled with joy.” Our learners must practise being kind to others and themselves as they each play a special role inside and outside the Revel community. On Tuesday, the Sparks followed a directed drawing of a snowglobe. Inside the snowglobe, they had the choice to draw anything they have seen inside a snowglobe before. There were a lot of snowmen and trees. The Sparks followed a winter-themed Cosmic Kids instructed yoga class for Wednesday yoga. As for Thursday, the learners continued to do colouring sheets with peaceful music playing in the background. To end our week, the Sparks wrote in their gratitude journals to express what they are thankful for baking and spending time in the kitchen.
Quest
The Sparks enjoy their time in the kitchen, learning about recipes and kitchen health and safety while cooking and baking. When it comes to baking and cooking, the guides want to make sure the Sparks are safe in the kitchen. As a group, the Sparks helped to come up with a robust list of kitchen safety rules for them to follow. To kick off the week, the Sparks made smoothies. As a studio, everyone worked together to develop two recipes to make the best tasting smoothie. They worked on their math skills as they used measuring cups to make their delicious beverages, and in the end, the Sparks voted on the sweeter one tasting the best! On Tuesday, the guides had the Sparks pretend they were going to the grocery store and had them cut out pictures of food from the flyers. The learners had to keep track of the prices of the food they were buying to figure out how much money they would have spent on their grocery run!
The Sparks also split into two groups to connect with the other Rebels, using charts labelled with their favourite foods. They went around to the other studios and asked the other Rebels which one they would choose. Thursday’s Quest was getting the Sparks prepared for their cupcake baking on Friday. They then joined in on a circle and followed their guides step by step on making baker hats. On Friday, delicious cupcakes were baked, shared, and devoured!
French
This week, Spark Rebels practiced using “j’aime,” “j’adore,” and “je n’aime pas” to talk about different foods that they like, love or dislike. We played a few rounds of Food Bingo, and read Les piranhas ne mangent pas d’ananas by Aaron Blabey. Finally, we listened for the names of colours in an activity about winter.
Additional Highlights
With the holidays approaching, the Sparks are feeling very expressive and energetic. To work with the energy in the room, we have added more body breaks, introduced new music genres, and had more interactive games. The Sparks have danced to electric, rock, and country music this week. Rock was a big hit! They also had fun with two games using balloons. One was to keep the balloons in the air as more and more were added. Another game they enjoyed was musical chairs using a balloon. On Friday, the Sparks joined Ms. Kaitlin in a mini HIIT workout combined with dance music. The exercise sure made everyone push their limits. The studio had a wonderful week, and the Sparks are excited to kick off next week with lots of celebrations!
Discovery Studio
Mindfulness
The Rebels explored music and creativity through the lens of the Ancient Greeks on Monday morning. They considered how music might affect our ethos or personality, and many offered that music has the power to influence our emotions. We then participated in a few sound experiments, listening to traditional Greek instruments and reflecting on how they made us feel. On Wednesday, the Rebels used mindful colouring time to brainstorm ideas for an outdoor mural project for the Ottawa West Little League. This Thursday, the yogis created their own flow using yoga position prompts.
Launches
For our first launch of the week, we had fun drawing with our eyes closed. The Rebels were then introduced to an opportunity to create a design and proposal for a mural at Pinecrest Park! We began by gauging interest and brainstorming ideas. We watched a video about why music feels good during Tuesday's French launch. Rebels discussed different genres of music they listened to and how they liked the music to make them feel. On Wednesday, the Rebels explored the planning process for a large-scale art piece like the Pinecrest Park mural and considered the budget, necessary equipment, and timeframe for the project. On Thursday, we watched a TEDTalk by a high school student from a fellow Acton Academy that focused on a learner-driven community's traits. The Rebels discussed what we're doing well and how to improve based on these qualities. Friday's Current Events report included news of the premiere of a new animated short featuring a refugee, jelly ice cubes invented at UC Davis to help improve food distribution costs and risks, an augmented reality trip through ancient Olympia, Greece, an overview of the upcoming Indigenous Snowmobile Exhibition in Quebec, and the top books of 2021 according to TIME for Kids. We were excited to see a new title on the list from Katherine Applegate; an author Aim and Release have read this year!
Reader/Writer
Aim and Release Rebels continued their study of root words by brainstorming as many words as possible for the root word 'quest.' They then learned why there is a "b" in the word "doubt" and how history plays a significant role in spelling. Rebels had the rest of the period to work on their mythology slide, and Greek root activity focused on the prefixes "dys" and "dem."
Draw and Anchor Rebels are in various stages of reading their novel, Hour of the Olympics. While some devoured the book in one sitting, others are reading chapters based on the weekly schedule. On Wednesday, we completed a character comparison between the book's two main characters, Jack and Annie. Learners also drew and described the setting before looking up two vocabulary words of their choice from the book!
Math Lab
In the lab this week, both groups were encouraged to use manipulatives like pattern blocks or Cuisenaire rods to model part-whole relationships (for Draw and Anchor), and operations with fractions (for Aim and Release). As both levels worked through their Block Party Challenge, they developed a deeper understanding of denominators in relationship to the size of the parts and the importance of common denominators/sizes when combining parts.
Civilizations
This week the Rebels focused on the Yellow River Valley of Ancient China and the importance of farming rice in the wet grounds of this region. The Rebels discussed societal structure during the Shang dynasty and the evolution of silk from silkworms, a unique commodity for the emperor and his wife at the time.
French
During Tuesday's French class, Discovery Rebels played some games on Nearpod altogether. It was really amusing! We especially enjoyed the "Time to Climb" activity where the competition was fierce. Then, we practiced the vocabulary of winter clothing and winter sports with some online exercises. On Thursday, we played two rounds of "J'ai...Qui a…?" and we got started on a worksheet about our favourite winter sport.
Quest
This week the Rebels experienced "a day in the life of" Ancient Athenians, considering different roles and responsibilities of each family member in a typical home (or oikos). From a choice board of nine activities, we then explored everything from columns and architecture, to the geography and history of the country, to tools the Greeks used for writing and arithmetic (e.g. tablets and the abacus). Rebels had to approve each other's projects, including the completed background research and the design or construction of their products (e.g. avatars, vases, columns, maps, timelines, infographics etc.). Next week, Greek Rebels will enter several competitions, including chariot races, catapult launches and Socratic Smackdowns!
Physical Development
On Monday, Rebels did animal-themed stretches and played Zoo in the gym, while on Wednesday, they had an indoor snowball fight or went for a wintry hike.
Additional Highlights
Our Geography Study sessions are off to a great start! This week we focused on Canadian geography with the help of a Kahoot! Next week, different Rebels will be in charge of our study sessions to prepare us for the Canadian Geographic Challenge in January.
The KHANtest and Lexathon continued with significant gains this week, putting us closer to earning a PiZzA pArTy in Session 4. As a studio, the Rebels will need only 157 units of reading and 98 percentage points in math-based Core Skills apps. We can do this, Rebels!
Next week, we are also very excited for our Secret Gift Exchange and have completed wish lists and drawn names. An email was sent to each Rebel with their secret gift recipient, and the wish lists are posted on the BAND App and the Bulletin Board in Journey Tracker.
Exploration Studio
Launches
Our learner run launches this week included games, Kahoots, and a few presentations with very different focuses. One Rebel taught us about a charity partnering with video game creators. When you play a partnered video game, the in-game currency will be donated to a company that provides fortified peanut butter to acutely malnourished children. Tuesday, a learner led a discussion based on a concept they were learning about in French that week, while another read different holiday traditions from around the world on Friday.
French
Exploration Rebels had a busy week working on finishing up the magazine! While some Rebels finished their articles, others kept working on the formatting. We also continued our workbook meetings with Mme Marie.
Math Lab
When rolling a single die, all outcomes are equally likely. What happens when you roll two or more dice and find the sum? This week we continued our exploration of probabilities by experimenting with rolling multiple dice. After our Number Talk regarding brain plasticity, Rebels had to figure out the probability of each sum when rolling two dice. After finding a way to collect and organize their data, Rebels were able to find patterns and discuss their results as a group. They then challenged themselves with 3 to 4 dice. The biggest frustration was how to create a data table to find all of the sums. The learners used several strategies and showed great perseverance!
Quest
Another cooking week has come and gone. The cooking groups this week were all focused on pickling and preserving foods. We discussed the six ways to preserve food and how much the food we eat is preserved in many significant ways (chilling, pickling, canning, smoking, salting, and adding chemicals).
Our first activity was making sauerkraut! The learners cut their cabbage into thin strips and then massaged salt into the ribbons until their hands turned purple and there was a big pool of cabbage juice at the bottom of their bowls. We learned that the juice prevents their cabbage from spoiling, acting as a brine. We have kept the kraut at school, burping it to release the build-up of gasses. The cabbage should be done fermenting by the end of next week, which they can then bring home.
Day two was a quick pickle! Using all of the veggies we purchased last week, the learners taste-tested a cornucopia of root, tube, and fruit vegetables. After learning how to clean and prep produce, the learners made their own unique pickled concoctions, experimenting with the shape and size of their veggies. We added our brine of water, salt, and vinegar and then sent the pickles home. Hopefully, you've all sampled your learner's creation. Sandwiches, salads, and roasted veg are Deagan’s favourite way to consume pickles.
The small groups also explored the long history of the Canadian Food Guide. The learners started by making their own food guide to assess what buzz words they would use to describe diets. After that, they read through the different food guides from 1942 to 2019, noting the changes over time. Learners are glad they live in a world with so many food choices instead of having to eat a recommended five eggs a week and a serving of liver and heart to get their vitamins.
Next Session
On Thursday afternoon, we spent some time making decisions about how we will approach our next Quest centred around cities. Many learners expressed that they are very interested in architecture and building models. Since the next Quest is seven weeks long, the learners will have time to engage in many different topics and projects involving cities.
Additional Highlights
Our Geography Study sessions are off to a great start! This week we focused on Canadian geography with the help of a Kahoot! Next week, different Rebels will be in charge of our study sessions to prepare us for the Canadian Geographic Challenge in January.
Launchpad
Personal Finance - Buy vs. Rent
After learning more about accumulated value, present value, opportunity cost, and internal rate of return last week, Rebels worked on analyzing the qualitative and quantitative factors for their "Time Value of Money: The Buy vs. Rent Decision" case study. The first step in their quantitative analysis was to prepare a mortgage amortization table to show the fixed amount that would need to be paid to the bank each month, including how much goes to cover the interest versus equity accumulation. They then needed to make a table showing how the investments would grow each month if they were to continue renting the apartment. Rebels were also tasked with figuring out the monthly costs for rent, condo fees, and yearly maintenance, making assumptions about how the values could change over time. Lastly, learners made a table showing all of the possible selling values to consider, remembering commissions and fees. The conversation with our guest also evolved to include personal income taxes and the marginal rate system used in Canada. Next week, Rebels will use their tables to create a monthly cash flow projection for each scenario, the NPV (net present value), and the IRR before making their final recommendation on whether they should rent or buy based on the case study.
Accounting
This week in accounting, Rebels learned about raw materials, the reason that the cost of production labour is "tied up" in inventory, and why accounts receivable is considered an asset. They also were asked to think about situations in which giving credit may not be a good idea before learning about insurance. Learners were also introduced to the Accrual and the Cash Method and compared the systems' pros and cons for varying situations. On Tuesday, learners learned about the differences between an income statement of a product company and a service company. Wednesday, they studied inventory methods, FIFO vs LIFO and inflationary economy. The rest of the week was spent on cash flow statements, fixed assets, and paying cash vs. paying with credit.
Canadian History
Launchpad Rebels read the various perspectives on the War of 1812 as we learned about the reasonings for the war and the outcome. While very little changed for the British and the Americans, the Indigenous were the stakeholders that lost. Learners then read about the rebellions of 1837-1838, including the Family Compact, Chateau Clique, and eventual turn to "responsible government."
Chemistry
This week in Chemistry, Rebels finished learning about atomic theory with model building and theory comparison. Next week we will move on to molecules and ions while also gearing up for our Cooking with Chemistry Harvard EdX course in Session 4!
World Building
Songs, storylines, character renderings, digital maps, and props have all been created over the past couple of months. This week, Rebels thought more about the end goal and what they'd like to have completed by the end of this year. One learner aims to complete a series of guides, while the other hopes to eventually populate their World Anvil account to run campaigns!
Additional Highlights
Launchpad Rebels held an Exhibition of Learning on Friday to show their families what they have been working on over the past few months at Revel. While curating their pieces and creating their presentation, the learners were proud with how much they have accomplished in Sessions 1 to 3!
Potential Discussion Ideas or Questions to Ask your Rebel:
Spark
What are the Revel kitchen safety rules?
What body break activity do you enjoy the most?
French: What French word do you use to say that you like something?
Discovery:
Who did you get for the gift exchange and what do you know about their interests?
What is one thing that would make your day more learner-driven?
What are the oikos, agora, and academia? What did you create during Quest this week?
French: What are some of the equipment necessary to play the winter sport you have picked?
Exploration:
What are the different ways of preserving food?
How has the Canadian food guide evolved over the years?
French: Are you finished writing your article for the magazine? How many hours of work do you think the final result reflects?
Launchpad:
What accomplishment are you most proud of from the past three sessions?
What are you most looking forward to in Session 4; Cooking with Chemistry, Shakespeare study, or more outings?
Dates of Interest
Spirit Week:
Monday - Plaid
Tuesday - Fun Hair and Hat Day
Wednesday - Wear colours that are special to you!
Thursday - Holiday/Fun Sweater
Friday - PJs!!! - Holiday Parties and Last Day of Session 3