Revel Recap: December 12 - 16, 2022
Spark Studio
Mindfulness
We started our week with a visualization exercise. Can you imagine your happy place, where you feel relaxed and peaceful or where you have fun? The Sparks each drew a picture of their happy place on their whiteboards and shared it with the group. We answered the following questions about our special space, “What things do you see? What do you smell or taste? What sounds do you hear? What can you feel or touch?” We then closed our eyes for one minute and imagined ourselves there. We talked about how when we feel angry, sad, or worried; we can close our eyes and imagine ourselves in this happy place! What another excellent mindfulness tool to add to our collection! On Tuesday, we worked with partners using breathing boards. The learners could trace their fingers along various mats taking note of when to inhale and exhale. We added the boards to our mindfulness area in the studio to use whenever we may need them. We were off on an Antarctica adventure on Wednesday, with Pedro the Penguin leading our yoga class. Then we told each other jokes to help prepare us for our kindness challenge of the day! On Thursday, we completed a colour-by-number 3D gingerbread person for mindfulness colouring. On Friday, we wrote about our favourite thing to do in the snow in our gratitude journal.
Quest
On Monday, we started Quest with a high-energy gingerbread-themed workout. We then read the classic story of The Gingerbread Man. The Sparks loved repeating the refrain together on each page. During read-aloud, the guides pose questions to ensure comprehension and hear their ideas. For example, “What would you do if your gingerbread cookie ran away?” Some commented that they would chase it, but many agreed they would just bake a new one! The back of the storybook listed the ingredients needed to make our own cookies. We went through the recipe and ensured we had all the ingredients to start making the dough on Tuesday. We then set off to colour in a gingerbread cookie puzzle. We cut it out into pieces and challenged our partners to try and put it back together. The learners were excited to take their puzzle pieces home and see if their families could complete them!
On Tuesday, we headed into the kitchen to prepare the dough. Two Sparks read us the ingredients while we worked together to measure, add and mix! Our recipe recommended leaving the dough in the refrigerator for a while, so we took a break from baking and went and read How to Catch a Gingerbread Man. Working in partners, the Sparks used all sorts of recyclables and craft materials to create clever traps to trick a wandering gingerbread cookie! They had so much fun with this STEM challenge and worked most of the afternoon on it!
On Wednesday, we read The Gingerbread Girl, noticing differences from the original version of the gingerbread story we heard on Monday. The Sparks observed that some characters, the repeating refrain, and the ending were different. Then we used our creativity to draw and colour our dream gingerbread cookie. We were excited to put our dreams into reality and bake and decorate our real gingerbread cookies! We rolled out the dough and used the cookie cutters to make the ginger people. After baking, the Sparks were SO excited to decorate and enjoy their creations!
On Thursday, we read a new story about the gingerbread man, The Ninjabread Man. The Sparks loved this version and highlighted many different elements from the previous two stories we read. The learners then worked in groups of two to recreate their own gingerbread stories, using some of the ideas from the other books this week. They then presented to the group, bravo storytellers.
Math
Our mathematicians were working hard this week! Group One worked on teen numbers, using our sand number templates to make each teen number. The Sparks learned a song about teen numbers and how they all begin with 1. As a group, we completed an activity to colour or circle the number given to us using the apples. Group Two reviewed their skip counting by 2’s, 5,s and 10’s. We then shifted our focus back to fractions. We each took turns using our concrete material to make a fraction using pieces from a whole to a tenth. The Sparks would make a fraction, and their partner would tell them what fraction number they created. They then showcased their skills by shading in various fractions and writing their answers.
Art
Our special art project this week was a beautiful winter scene. The learners used watercolours and a circle pattern to create a sky background. Then we cut out snow and winter trees with construction paper to paste on top. The artists took their time and created spectacular masterpieces!
French
We played a card game on Monday to learn our prepositions of place (in front, behind, etc.). To learn season-specific vocabulary, Sparks completed a holiday colouring activity on Tuesday. Wednesday, we played in the gym as we do every week to review all we have learned so far throughout the year, including our numbers, colours, weather and more! Thursday, we worked on another colouring activity to help us learn how to pronounce our alphabet in French. Friday, we read "S’il-vous-plait M. Panda" (Please Mr. Panda) to review the important terms, merci and s'il-vous-plait.
Additional Highlights
The Sparks have been working hard on their holiday songs and are looking forward to their performance at Exhibition! We continued our holiday book read-aloud, enjoying many festive stories from various cultures. We have also been completing our Random Act of Kindness challenges. They included hugging someone, making a thank you card for a loved one at home, telling someone a joke, and setting the table for dinner. This week also marked the end of the Sparks collection for the Ottawa Food Bank and Toy Mountain. This initiative sparked some important and lovely conversations in our studio about giving back, helping others in our community and spreading kindness. Thank you SO much for everyone’s participation and donations of toys and non-perishables. We also raised $582.00, which will make such an impact on families this holiday season. Thank you, Revel community!
We look forward to celebrating the end of the session with all the families next week!
Discovery Studio
Mindfulness
Mantra Monday was full of beautiful affirmations that the Rebels picked from two videos: Believe in Yourself and Positive Affirmations for Kids. As the Rebels shared which words they needed this week, we had a great conversation about the difference between forcing yourself to be happy and positive and building an affirmation practice to help build resiliency through tough days. Tuesday and Wednesday morning, Rebels participated in mindful colouring and created snowflakes and coloured decor for our Secret Gift Exchange fireplace display. For Thankful Thursday, we started with a group squish/hug with a friend from the studio who is moving in the new year. She brought every single Rebel a Squishmallow to snuggle! Thank you so much; we will miss you dearly! For Feel-Good Friday, the Rebels enjoyed the slow, snowy morning and worked more on their snowflake garlands!
Launches
The Rebels have been taking on the responsibility of launching our day more and more. Monday morning, we had a fantastic Connect Launch led by one of our youngest studio members! She used the launch recipe to ensure that the Rebels picked an ROE to focus on during the discussion, shared an interesting video to connect with her peers, and directed the discussion afterwards. Well done, and thank you for making us laugh about the cool reasons cats can seem so weird! Tuesday's Launch was hosted by another Rebel who connected and inspired the team with a Ted-Ed Riddle about a magical sort hat! Wednesday morning, Ms. Jenna inspired us with an introduction to Mr. Owen Healey, a chess player in Kemptville who will be our Special Guest in Quest this next Monday! The Rebels are so excited to be able to connect and work with a chess player of Owen's status! Thursday morning, we had another Rebel-led launch with another riveting Ted-Ed riddle - this one was about ice and fire dragons! Friday's Current Events report featured the results of the World Cup semi-finals, a baby bobcat sighting in BC, and climate data for Ottawa comparing the day's snowfall with seasonal averages.
French
This week, we completed a Greetings word search to learn how to greet someone in French. We also worked on a colouring piece to work on our holiday vocabulary, followed by a game of Bâbord-Tribord, a vocabulary game to further work on our holiday terminology!
In this week's French Cooking workshop, we made Christmas cookies! The teamwork was great, and the treats were incredibly delicious!
Reader/Writer
This week, Rebels finished reading our Mentor Text, "The Curious Case of the Missing Black Pawn." They enjoyed the story and thought of a fun journaling prompt for next week about what our Chess pieces would do if they came alive after the school closes for the day! Rebels edited and elevated our Chess Word Wall in preparation for Exhibition, making an effort to categorize the vocabulary words and colour coordinate them so that the word wall is more easily understood and terms are more accessible to learners! Others worked on their Chess Rulebooks. Next week will be our final period to make any final edits so we can complete our Chess Rulebooks for presentation.
Math Lab
In the lab this week, the Rebels warmed up their hands with more printing practice and their eyes with another round of vision training. We then explored some advanced notation concepts like castling, pawn promotion, pawn captures and how to ensure their game notations are clear. For example, if two of your identical pieces (i.e. both rooks) are on the same rank and could move to the same spot, how would you notate your rook's move in a way that someone reviewing the game later could be sure which piece moved? After tremendous whole-group practice, the Rebels broke into their squads for the second team notation challenge. It is truly remarkable to watch these future Grandmasters apply their understanding of algebraic notation to analyze famous games and use algebra to write expressions and equations for scoring captures. Well done, Rebels!
Quest
Rebels had another fantastic week learning all about Chess! Monday, Rebels were introduced to the concept of "Fast and Slow Thinking" and related it back to which parts of the brain we use in Chess. Rebels could begin their new weekly challenges on Chess Kid or work on their Chess Rulebooks and Reflection entries. Tuesday, we brought in the final component to elevate our chess games: The Chess Clocks. Rebels read an article and watched a video about incorporating the clocks into play. While some were a little intimidated that the clocks would push them into "fast thinking" situations and elevate their stress levels, a few team members bravely took on the challenge of using them right away. We came together as a team and reflected on the day's games. This reflection might have been one of the most meaningful team discussions to date! Those who used the clocks encouraged others to try them out the next opportunity they get this week. Rebels agreed that while it is definitely stressful using a clock, as a player, you adjust to them being there, and as the games progressed, you even started to get used to them! Rebels concluded that although it might hinder your Chess game during that transition period, "sometimes you have to go backwards to move forwards." Wednesday, we had an enormous amount of excitement for the chess clocks! New teams challenged themselves to use them and even had some Rebel-coaching from peers to help them when they felt they were entering a Panic Zone. During debrief, Rebels discussed and compared their experiences using the clocks and filled out their daily Chess Reflections. Thursday was a catch-up day, where Rebels could work on their Chess Rulebooks, finalize the Chess Word Wall display for Exhibition, complete Chesskid.com challenges for this week, or practice their in-person games with the clocks and notation.
Civilizations
This week the Rebels learned the story of Saint Augustine, who brought religion and reading and writing to Britain. They heard a "day in the life" experience of a monk working in a monastery - how he made his own furniture, was not allowed to talk at meal times nor in the scriptorium where he copied important books by hand. Afterwards, there was a great discussion which forced them to take a firm stand on the topic of authority (would you follow the king or the pope) and the value of Augustine's arrival to Britain (which is more valuable, learning religion or how to read and write?)!
Additional Highlights
The Rebels have been busy rehearsing songs to sing in a choir with the Sparks and using the Boomwhackers to prepare mini holiday concert performances. We look forward to showing you at Exhibition!
Exploration Studio
Mindfulness
We began our week with a video featuring youth and young adults discussing their experiences practicing mindfulness and how it has benefited different aspects of their lives. We then took part in a mini-mindfulness breathing exercise to get centred. Tuesday morning yoga with Ms. Mel was all about balance and grounding - the Rebels moved through a low-to-the-floor flow featuring bird-dog. Wednesday, Rebels participated in colouring, dot-to-dots, diamond dot painting, puzzles and more to prepare for the day ahead. Ms. Jenna led the Rebels through another yoga routine on Thursday and Friday; learners made a plan for our "Snow Day" at school.
Etiquette
Our launches will focus on etiquette for the last two weeks of Session 3. We began with a comprehensive video on table manners in preparation for holiday get-togethers. We then reviewed Emily Post Institute's Top Table Manners for Kids before taking questions regarding what to do in various scenarios, such as what you should do if you don't like what is being served at a friend's house. On Wednesday, we discussed basic etiquette, including being yourself, complimenting and thanking someone genuinely, being punctual, being kind in your speech, and working hard not to complain or embarrass others. We turned to social etiquette on Thursday and reviewed holding doors open for others, stair, escalator, and elevator manners, and what to do when seats are limited. Due to the snowfall, we moved our Hot Chocolate Tea Party to next week; however, those in attendance still enjoyed some hot cocoa and scones as we settled into our work.
Math Lab
In the lab this week, the Rebels focused on the connection between volume and surface area in anticipation of constructing their final prototype for this session's 3D design challenge! First up, they met with their squads to complete an instant challenge with volume estimation, revising their estimate as they gained more information. This brought us back to the formulas we established last week for the volume of prisms and how we can use the dimensions of prisms to more efficiently calculate volume. Next, the squads completed two mini-challenges related to the nets of rectangular prisms, exploring how to match up labelled dimensions from representations of prisms to the various pairs of rectangles in the net. For the rest of the lab, the squads had time to construct a 3D prototype of their preferred cereal box design or popcorn serving container, measuring and using cardboard to scale. Next week, they will finalize construction and pitch their plans at Congress, relying on their volume and surface area calculations to back up their reasoning for design choices. For example, how did they determine the optimal balance of most food donated/served and least packaging waste/produced?
Reader/Writer
This week, Exploration Rebels critiqued the instruction booklets for a few well-known board games, including Hungry Hungry Hippos, Jenga, Twister, Monopoly and Throw Throw Burrito. Using the rubrics, they will use to assess their game instructions in Quest, Rebels discussed valuable elements, including bold or underlined keywords, game objectives being visible at the top of the instructions, and using colour and images to support instructions. They also identified elements that seemed outdated or needed to be altered to better a player's understanding of the game. They found black-and-white pictures confusing for the board setup and felt that too many words deterred players from wanting to read the rules at all. This discussion led to the creation of the first draft of their game instructions. Rebels used the remainder of the period to begin drafting their rulebooks, and we look forward to presenting them at the Exhibition next week!
French
This week, we made a Seven Families game to learn about the terms for various family members (uncle, grandfather, sister, etc.) and how to ask, "Who is ...?". We also played a Holiday edition of North-South to improve our holiday vocabulary.
We have finished our stories for the Sparks in our French Workshop and will give them to our friends next week! Bravo!
Civilizations
Over the past two weeks, we've studied what allows empires to flourish and what causes their falls. We've looked at greed, hubris, immense power, and the tactics that rulers use to dominate others. After everything we've studied, it was time to debate; Is cooperation or coercion more important when sustaining an empire? The studio split into two, and after a set amount of time, representatives explained their side's views. Unfortunately, we had to postpone our Democracy simulation; however, we've rescheduled it for this next Wednesday!
Game Design Quest
After two weeks of learning about probability, and the role of luck and skill, it was time to design and create our own games! On Monday, Rebels were hard at work flushing out their ideas in preparation for instruction writing on Tuesday. Walking around the studio, you could see Rebels designing their game boards using Canva, creating pieces on Tinkercad to 3D print, watching videos to learn how to make origami jumping frogs, painting, modelling clay, and cardboard construction! On Tuesday, Rebels began writing or typing out their game instructions and continuing to work on their game prototype.
On Wednesday, we looked at the largest toy expo in the United States, the Toy Fair in New York City. Rebels then continued working on their game, and for those who were ready, there was time to play-test one another's games and give feedback. Remaining silent and observing as their peers played helped our learners better understand where adjustments needed to be made to improve the clearness of the instructions or purpose of their game.
On Thursday, we read about a first grader who designed a game for a school project that then became a huge hit. Learners then had the period to continue to iterate their games, taking time to think back to their original goals for the game and evaluate if their game meets their expectations. They also had time to work on a pitch they will use at the Game Expo to attract customers! What sets their game apart? Why should someone spend valuable time playing their game?
Additional Highlights
We finished our read-aloud Amari and the Great Game on Thursday, and the Rebels cannot wait for the third instalment! What should our next read-aloud be?!
Rebels also learned how to play Dreidel during Wednesday's Math Club. Due to their newfound knowledge from their Game Design Quest, they quickly analyzed probabilities and the role luck and skill played in the game!
With a few Rebels missing due to the snowy weather on Friday, we adjusted the schedule to fit those in attendance. We began with hot chocolate, scones, and a solid work period before heading outside for extended snow play! There was also time to catch up on core skills, our Quest games, and coding before pulling out the VR and board games in the afternoon!
Launchpad
Poetry
Many contemporary poets don't write poems just for the page; they write poems intending to perform them aloud for an audience. Rebels listened to Billy Collins' reading of his light verse, "To My Favorite 17-Year-Old High School Girl", and Malcolm London's performance of "High School Training Grounds," a heavy poem that raises important social justice issues. Rebels jotted down lines or imagery they found particularly compelling as they watched before discussing what they liked and disliked about each performance. We then watched each performance a second time, noting specific elements of each poet's pacing, body language, and energy in preparation for our own Poetry Cafe next week! Learners then read Walt Whitman's "Captain, My Captain" before answering a series of questions posed to help them dive more deeply into their analysis of the work.
On Tuesday, Rebels spent time writing haiku, tiny poems with a huge impact. This traditional Japanese poetic form usually focuses on nature, animals, seasons, colours, and contrasts. Although haiku can have a variety of structures, the most common format of the three-line poems follow a 5-syllable, 7-syllable, and 5-syllable pattern and don't rhyme. We're excited to hear their favourite at the poetry reading next week!
On Wednesday and Thursday, we turned our attention to Edgar Allan Poe's seminal work, "The Raven." After a brief introduction, learners were asked to annotate their thoughts and questions as they listened to the poem being read by James Earl Jones. Once completed, they had time to begin their Faux Poe assignment, which asked them to further analyze "The Raven's" stanzas, syllable count, and external rhyme scheme. Launchpad learners then worked on a Raven-style poem on an original topic, following the same structure with a minimum of two stanzas.
On Friday, learners read both Edgar Allan Poe's and Hilda "H.D." Doolittle's poems about Helen of Troy, an important figure from Greek mythology. Rebels analyzed each poem separately before comparing and contrasting the two styles and, ultimately their message regarding female beauty.
Quest - Climate Summit
As learners have worked through their research process, they have collected vital information for their Climate Summit presentation. They've already chosen their Innovation Pathway, compiled a growing list of relevant sources, and identified the specific proposed Solution their group would focus on. On Monday, they continued that work by approaching their research with a focus on Action Opportunities—areas within their Innovation Pathway where individuals can make an impact.
With the team process completed, the rest of the week was spent going through the research cycle again, but for their individual Grand Challenges. The learners stated they found it incredibly helpful to have gone through the process together before embarking on their own. They better understand how to use infographics, data exploration articles, and research tools to devise a solution.
Next week, learners will put all their research together to create an engaging and impactful presentation for their Climate Summit!
Civilization
Over the past two weeks, we've studied what allows empires to flourish and what causes their falls. We've looked at greed, hubris, immense power, and the tactics that rulers use to dominate others. After everything we've studied, it was time to debate; Is cooperation or coercion more important when sustaining an empire? The studio split into two, and after a set amount of time, representatives explained their side's views. Unfortunately, we had to postpone our Democracy simulation; however, we've rescheduled it for this next Wednesday!
Additional Highlights
Our Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver Expedition has been booked! Learners will venture into Algonquin Park for a hiking trip this May! More information to come in January!
Potential Discussion Ideas or Questions to Ask your Rebel:
Spark
Where is your happy place?
How did you design your gingerbread trap?
Which was your favourite gingerbread story this week? (The Gingerbread Man, The Gingerbread Girl or The Ninjabread Man)
Discovery
Did you opt to use a chess clock this week? If you did, how did it go? If not, would it be worth trying in Week 4?
What are you looking forward to about your upcoming Exhibition?
Exploration
Monday is your last Quest period before the Game Expo. Where do you need to spend most of your energy: on your pitch, your instructions, or on your game? How will you manage your time?
How are your game instructions coming along? How will you present them along with your game at Exhibition?
Is cooperation or coercion more important when sustaining an empire?
Launchpad
Edgar Allan Poe and H.D. Doolittle chose similar subject matter but came to very different conclusions about the power and effects of female beauty. As the reader, which one holds more weight for you? Why?
Is cooperation or coercion more important when sustaining an empire?
How will you present your Climate Summit solution (slideshow, poster, speech with visuals)?
Dates of Interest
Spark Sock Exchange: December 20th
Discovery Secret Santa: December 20th
Exploration Secret Santa: Bring items in on Thursday, December 22nd, for the exchange on Friday, December 23rd.
Session 3 Exhibitions
Exploration Exhibition: Tuesday, December 20th at 4:15 pm
Spark and Discovery Exhibition: Wednesday, December 21st, at 4:15 pm