Revel Recap: April 15 - 19, 2024

Spark Studio 

MINDFULNESS 

We started our week with a guided five-senses meditation. The Sparks took out their yoga mats and found a comfortable spot to listen along. The guided meditation helped us connect to the present moment using our senses of sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. Many learners commented that they felt very calm when it was over, and it was a great energy to start our Monday morning. On Tuesday, we listened to instrumental music while colouring in pictures of the Magic School Bus with a human body theme! Wednesday, we completed a cardio HITT workout focusing on speed and endurance. We discussed how these exercises train our hearts and cardiovascular systems to run faster and go longer. The athletes completed their workout and noticed how fast their hearts were pumping! With our heart rates up, it was time to slow down as we completed a directed drawing of a realistic human heart. On Thursday, we started with a fun drama activity. Following our Quest theme, it was a five senses game of Charades. The learners were challenged to act out various scenarios, such as what it would look like to touch an icicle, smell bread being baked, taste a sour lemon, see an adorable dog, or hear strange underwater sounds. To end the week, we used the gym to get our blood flowing. Wolf's Den is a game in which a wolf roams around its home, trying to catch rabbits as they run back and forth through the wolf's territory. It was an action-packed game full of laughter! 

QUEST

This week, we jumped on the Magic School Bus and were eaten by Arnold! We had quite the ride through his digestive system! The Sparks began by viewing an episode of "The Magic School Bus: For Lunch," which taught the learners about the digestive system and how it works. Afterwards, we reviewed a presentation explaining each digestive system step, showing what would happen to a piece of broccoli at each step for a better visual. We then met in the gym, and the learners traced each other's bodies. The Sparks took the next day and a half to draw the organs, label, and colour their project. 

As the Sparks move forward about the human body, they find themselves on a heart-pounding adventure as they connect their learning experience to the circulatory system. Starting with a simple picture of a heart, they explored its location within their bodies, feeling the slow beat resonate within. To experiment, they completed a set of jumping jacks and burpees and then placed their hand on their heart again to compare the differences between being in a relaxed state and an energized body. To deepen their knowledge, the Sparks went on a magical journey through the circulatory system aboard the Magic School Bus in the story "Has a Heart." Through Keesha's bloodstream, they explored the symbiotic relationship between the heart and lungs to understand these vital systems better. The Sparks learned fun facts about the heart, like its weight and the average pumps it takes, and they also went on a journey into the heart itself. Using simple materials, the Sparks explored how the heart pumps blood throughout the body. They created a model by connecting two straws through a balloon-covered cup, representing the heart and the red-coloured water inside the cups, mimicking blood. As they pressed their fingers onto the balloon covering the cup, the water flowed through the straws into the opposite cup, demonstrating the essential function of the heart in circulating blood. 

We continued to focus on the functions of the heart the next day. After labelling the heart's pulmonary artery, aorta, and left/right ventricles, we explored two more experiments. In the first experiment, they used marshmallows and a toothpick to create a pulse monitor. They discovered that the ideal resting heart rate range of 60-100 beats per minute and how it can soar to 135 or beyond during an activity. 

The second experiment measured the amount of blood pumping through our bodies per minute. With 5 litres of water and determination, each learner raced against time to transfer water using ½ measuring cup between two bowls. We discovered firsthand the incredible effort our bodies exert to keep us going. Ask your learner if they were able to transfer all the water! 

MATH 

In teams and armed with hula hoops, the use of directional language was in full effect. From moving hoops left and right to jumping inside them, the Sparks navigated through various directions. To continue this study, we read the story, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle. The Sparks uncovered hidden gems of positional language. The visual representation of repetitive language and sequential storytelling was a captivating and effective tool for guiding positional language. The Sparks could comprehend the story, deepen their understanding of spatial relationships, and enhance their mathematical language skills in a fun and meaningful way. But we didn't stop there. Together, we tackled a brain-testing challenge on a grid. From plotting routes to reaching the dog amidst obstacles on specific objects after a series of movements, the Sparks used their problem-solving skills to navigate the grid. Lastly, In small groups, the Sparks were given four positional words. Using these words, they had to create a mini story to present in front of the studio. With objects in hand and imaginations running, they could all narrate and showcase their understanding of positional language. 

To continue their math studies, we dedicated a solid 45-minute work period to math. Using their Singapore math books and using many of our Montessori materials, each learner worked so hard! 

READERS WORKSHOP

While we have yet to flip through a page of Diary of a Worm, the Sparks used their imaginations by closely examining the front and back covers, weaving through predictions about the charming worm. Some made predictions, such as a friendship in the underground world between a spider and a worm, while others guessed the worm might write in a diary and talk about his fascinating life beneath the earth's surface. As the Sparks eagerly await the tale, their analytical skills deepen their connection to the world of literature. 

Finally, on Thursday, we read the story! The Sparks laughed throughout the tale due to the many jokes. After the reading, they got their Diary of a Worm booklets and worked on a comprehension activity. What happened at the beginning, middle and end of the story? As the story is written in journal form, the question was, "How do we know what happened for each part?" To find an answer, we wrote down the dates the worm wrote in his diary, and started from the first day as the beginning, the middle being the midway point between the dates, and finally, the ending presenting his last day of writing. 

To build on literacy, we also reviewed the digraph CH. Using our Waseca digraph booklets, we reviewed each image and determined the word based on the ch sound. Some of the sounds were found at the beginning or the end of the word. We practiced saying the digraph sound three times before saying the word. Throughout the week, each learner took time to write down these words. Challenge your learner to find a word with the CH sound when you are reading or see them around town or at home! 

ART 

Germs vs. Soap, by Didi Dragon, was the reference used for this week's art lesson. As we focus on the human body, germs play a significant role within ourselves. From laughing as we read the story to practicing washing our hands, the book was a good choice! After the reading, the Sparks designed germ monsters, which were then posted on a beautiful mural, Mme. Marianne designed for the studio. We cannot wait to show you the mural covered in germs. 

FRENCH

On Monday, we played the board game «Qui? Quoi? Quand? Comment?» (Who? What? When? How?) On Tuesday, we utilized a colouring activity to learn the names of insects, and on Wednesday, we read the book "Mouffie va à la cabane à Sucre" (Mouffie Goes to the Sugar Shack). We played games in the gym on Thursday to brush up on our insect vocabulary and French questions.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

To celebrate Earth Day, we read the story 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh, which explains ways we can protect and cherish our planet. From recycling to conserving water, Sparks discovered the power of small actions to make a big difference. In our discussion, we reflected on the unfortunate reality of polluted air in some parts of the world, where many factories can impact air quality. We spoke about the importance of environmental awareness and how we can protect ourselves. Using magazines, the Sparks created a vibrant planet using various shades of green and blue. 

This week, we had a handful of learners take on the role of being storytellers. During D.E.A.R., stories such as Green Eggs and Ham and the heartwarming Adventures of Piggy and Gerald were read out loud. Everyone demonstrated bravery and did their absolute best to read their stories to the studio! 

Thank you to everyone for demonstrating an exercise for Show and Tell this week! We had a wide variety, from squats to push-ups and burpees. We also had a lot of great stretches, such as tree, moon, and bridge yoga poses. Each Spark identified the muscles they were working on, demonstrated the exercise and challenged the studio to complete five reps or hold the pose for 10 seconds! Ultimately, it was a great exercise sequence that included a wide range of muscles! 

Discovery Studio 

MINDFULNESS

We explored two posters for Mantra Monday: "It's okay if you…" and RAIN. Rebels took turns sharing stories related to "it's okay" mantras like - it's okay to feel overwhelmed, and it's okay to have boundaries. When you're feeling overwhelmed, the RAIN technique stands for R, recognize what is happening in your body and mind; A, allow the experience to be; I, investigate with kindness; and N, nurture non-identification (I am not my emotions). Tuesday, the Rebels continued to work on their Zen Doodle mural. On Wonder Wednesday, the Rebels tackled the Connections puzzle, and they were stumped by some words that could fit into three separate categories! For example, the word "floor" fits into synonyms for flabbergast, flat things, and parts of a theatre. During Thank You for Sharing on Thursday, Rebels told stories about times they were most generous and what they would whisper in the ears of their younger selves. Feel-Good Friday, we did our routine Boomwhacker scales and chord warm-up before attempting an energetic rendition of "Believer" by Imagine Dragons. To ensure this time of day remains intentional toward the end of the year, the Rebels discussed their options and re-committed to attending the guide-led activity or picking something from the new Mindful Options board.

LAUNCHES

Monday morning kicked off with an exciting "Equip" Launch that connects to our Quest theme for Session 6 by introducing a newly discovered dinosaur! The "Tytanomachya gimenezi" fossils, the smallest of the Titanosaurs, were discovered in Patagonia this past week! We reviewed the National Geographic article and wondered what fossils can tell us. Why is it important to note the geographic location of fossil discoveries? Why have more dinosaur fossils been discovered in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern? Rebels discussed this question in depth as we launched into the Mesozoic Era for Week 2 of Session 6. On Tuesday, we revisited the pending lawsuit between four Ontario school boards and social media giants like Snapchat. We read an article from CBC Kids News and pulled out key points on each side of the argument. We also took time to understand the timeline of events leading up to this - including leaked internal documents in 2021 allegedly demonstrating that Facebook knew that the platform was harmful to children. Wednesday's Triad check-in promoted teamwork and productivity, with the Rebels thinking first about how to beat the Guides in our question/answer competition and then setting a goal with a Rebel Buck reward for completing it. Thursday's launch was about spiders. What are the characteristics of these creatures, and how are they the same as and different from insects? Did you know that researchers have been applying the field of robotics to their hydraulic limbs? Friday's Rebel-led Current Events report featured a tiny fish as loud as an elephant, first overall WNBA draft pick, Cailtin Clark, how to tell time on the moon, and, of course, Taylor Swift's new album drop. 

MATH LAB

This week, Rebels pondered the big and small of length. Which units do we use to measure items around the studio, and how do we convert between or equate those units? We measured the length of many things they found, from pencils to fidgets to a meter stick, and even modelled the reported length of a modern anaconda! Rebels used Base Ten Blocks to visualize how many deci- and centimetres fit along a meter stick, and we discussed and made connections between this and the convenience of the patterns of ten repeated throughout the Metric system. For the second part of our lab, we focused on relatively longer distances and how these are scaled down in representations like maps. Rebels watched a cool TedEd video about why all maps are "wrong" and then tried an activity investigating lengths between two places of their choosing in an atlas. 

CIVILIZATIONS

This week's read-aloud told the tale of the absurd history of Henry VIII. Rebels first learned about Martin Luther and how his Catholic faith shifted, changing how England practiced religion at the time. Henry VIII, determined to father a male heir to become the next king, married six times with the help of the creation of the Church of England. From proxy weddings where two and three-year-olds were married to hiring painters to make portraits of potential wives, Rebels were appalled by some of the customs of the early 1500s. 

READER/WRITER

Discovery Rebels began their Reader/Writer workshops with a deep dive into the Six Traits of Writing. After reviewing the Six Traits (Ideas, Organization, Voice, Sentence Fluency, Word Choice, Conventions, & Presentations), Rebels discussed how these six traits might help us grow our writing skills. Starting with Ideas and Organization this week, Rebels in Draw & Anchor participated in an activity to develop various ideas about which we could write stories. After each Rebel created a list of ideas, they picked their favourite one and developed 3-5 more specific details related to their "Big Idea." Each group shared back with the team to gather feedback. To wrap up the workshop, Rebels began to organize specific events from their favourite birthday memory so that if they were to write a story about it, the sequence of events would flow in chronological order. Aim and Release Rebels were tasked with an idea brainstorming activity of their own. With three specific topics chosen for them, Rebels sought to create supporting details for each main idea. After sharing their details, they realized just how much you can do with one idea. The different directions each Rebel took the main idea left us inspired (and laughing!) at some of the possible plotlines. To wrap up their workshop, Aim and Release Rebels took a jumbled sequence of events from a fictional story and attempted to organize it into a timeline that made sense. Up next week, we'll explore the Voice trait! 

QUEST

Welcome to the Mesozoic Era! Rebels explored the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods up close this week as they worked together in their triads to learn all they could about the big three periods in this Era. Monday started with the opening scenes from Chapter 4 of the Life on This Planet documentary. Rebels began with the Triassic Period as they learned about Pangea, the supercontinent, and some species that survived the preceding mass extinction. What was it about Lystrosaurus that enabled the species to thrive post-mass extinction? Why was the Triassic Period also known as the Age of Reptiles? Why is Pangea called "Pangea"? As Rebels moved into the Jurassic Period on Wednesday, they compared the changes happening to the Earth as Pangea began to split apart due to shifting tectonic plates. What effects do you think this change on Earth had on evolution at this time? As we took a deep dive into the "Golden Age of the Dinosaurs," Rebels learned about the early categorization of species using vocabulary such as "Sauropods" (herbivores, such as Diplodocus) and "Theropods" (carnivorous species such as Allosaurus). We wrapped our week with a deep dive into the Cretaceous Period and learned about the first flowering plants and some of history's most popular dinosaurs, such as the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Rebels took a keen interest in the largest mass extinction event ever occurring on our planet. Do you think the impact of the asteroid or the two-year aftermath of the dust cloud around the planet was the root of the extinction of life on Earth? What species (plants or animals) were able to survive this mass extinction? What characteristics do those living things have in common? Rebels closed off the week, discussing how we can take what we've learned from the Mesozoic Era and turn it into exhibits for our "Living Museum" Exhibition at the end of the session. Coming up in Week 3: The Cenozoic Era! 

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Tuesday was a nice, sunny day, so both groups headed outside. Option 1 was at the baseball diamond, learning how to play the exciting game of Kickball. Option 2 was a lovely hike in the forest! Thursday's weather wasn't quite as nice, so one group played Twister and Yoga Pretzels while the other played Freeze Dance and took part in a Dance Battle. 

FRENCH

This week, we finished the weather vocabulary exercises and games we started last week and played "Weather Edition" Bingo. The Rebels had to make their own Bingo cards by writing down the words they knew in French. Great job, Rebels!

Additional Highlights

The Rebels and Discovery Guides battled it out this week to earn a spin on the Wheel of Doom! Every time a Guide answers a question, Rebels add a tally to the guide's total. Conversely, every time a Rebel asks a Guide a question without leaning in to our "3 before G" standard, the Guides add a tally to the Rebels' total. This week, the Guides were in the lead, with 6 questions answered and 14 asked. The Wheel of Doom dealt out three Rebel Bucks earned for the Guides and three lost to the Rebels. Next week, we'll reset the tally and try again!

Exploration Studio

MINDFULNESS AND LAUNCH

On Monday morning, Rebels put what they learned about formatting Google Sheets last week into practice by completing a challenge with a series of steps. They had to make a copy of a Google Sheet, share it with Erin, modify the height of rows, merge cells, wrap text, insert and delete rows and columns, and freeze rows. Next week, we will continue our lessons with cell customization.

In Tuesday's pilates class, we tried a routine focused on daily mobility. We moved our bodies from head to toe, completing movements like a bowing calf stretch, alternating pike leg lifts, and seated thoracic rotations. Would you rather become a world-famous athlete who had to use performance-enhancing drugs to gain notoriety or never become a "great" but perform naturally? After introducing ourselves to our visiting learner, we focused our morning discussion on athletes who use illegal performance-enhancing methods to gain an edge over their competition. Rebels discussed the pros and cons of HGH and anabolic steroids and felt that the cons (guilt, getting caught, health risks) greatly outweighed the pros (money and fame). On Wednesday, Rebels built four successful "mindful connections" with our weekly New York Times Connections word puzzle and were absolutely stumped with the term "TITHE" in our Wordle challenge this week! They then learned about the sport Kabaddi during our learner-led launch. For Thursday's yoga, Rebels split into groups to create an 8-pose sequence using the Yoga Pretzels card deck. After running through their own poses, Rebels came together in a circle, and each group guided the other Rebels through their sequence, going all the way around the room until they completed 24 poses in one combined sequence! Back in the studio, Rebels participated in a right-brain, left-brain drawing activity, which they found fun yet extremely challenging! It was another gloomy morning outside on Friday, so the Rebels took their morning mindfulness and launch time to play a card or board game. Some chose Rebel Smash; others played Chess, Candy Land, and Guess Who. It was a nice, relaxing way to start our day!

QUEST - SCIENCE OF SPORTS

On Monday, Rebels learned about an athlete who used physics to shatter world records. When Dick Fosbury couldn't compete against the skilled high jumpers at his college, he tried jumping in a different way - backwards. Rebels learned how Fosbury's new technique altered his center of mass, making the Fosbury Flop the dominant technique used today. We then learned about the musculoskeletal system, including muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons. After talking about the bones (or groups of bones) that act as support and those that act as protection or allow for movement, learners took part in a Reaction Time activity to discover how our muscles are stimulated and the importance of reaction time in sports. After the experiment, we reviewed the three classes of levers and identified levers in our bodies and sports. With our remaining Quest time, learners had time to complete experiments and calculations from their activities last week. 

On Tuesday, we learned about sweat and its importance. Using two balloons, one filled with air and one with air and water, we demonstrated water's cooling effect. We held a lighter under the balloon filled with air, and it popped almost immediately, while the balloon with water didn't pop even with longer and closer exposure. Rebels then learned about electrolytes and completed an experiment with distilled water, distilled water with salt, distilled water with sugar, various sports drinks and a few other liquids we found in the fridge to test which solutions would conduct electricity. Unfortunately, many of our LEDs did not work, so learners placed the 9V batteries directly in the liquids for testing purposes! While the experiment did not go to plan, it was a great lesson in scientific error and procedural modifications! Afterward, we learned why our sporting equipment, such as hockey gear, stinks! Rebels discovered it wasn't sweat but the bacteria living in the equipment that caused the foul odour. To learn more about bacterial growth, Rebels each chose an object or location to swab and plate on a petri dish with nutrient agar. We will continue checking on our bacterial cultures daily for the next week.

We shifted gears from the human body aspect of Sports Science to energy and energy transformations on Wednesday. Energy is the ability to do work. The term work is defined as a force acting over a certain distance. It can manifest itself in various forms: heat energy from the Sun warming our atmosphere and creating wind, chemical energy stored in a battery that powers a pacemaker, or light energy that allows plants to grow. By investigating sports and physical activity, we explored the various forms that energy can take. After defining energy and brainstorming all the forms we could name, Rebels were given an optional Chemical Energy Log to track how they fuel their body throughout the week. We discussed the importance of nutrition and how feeling good and strong are the metrics we should use to guide our food choices. We then dove into the world of potential and kinetic energy. After a quick demo, learners went to the gym to experiment! In the first task, each team of two dropped a tennis ball from a height of 2 meters and recorded the height of its first bounce. After finding the average, they started part two and found five different types of balls to complete the experiment again. Once finished, Rebels discussed why they thought some balls bounced higher than others and what would change if we altered other variables. 

The first order of business on Thursday was to check our nutrient agar plates for any changes or growth. We then tackled the math behind potential and kinetic energy, and learners were excited when their calculations proved what we had learned about the science; the potential energy of the tennis ball before being let go was the same as the kinetic energy when it hit the ground! The rest of Thursday's Quest was spent building energy-transforming devices. The only requirement was that learners needed to design, build, and test a device that transforms one form of energy into another and be able to explain the process. The learners got to work creating motor-powered cars, windmills, fans, ramps, and more! 

PERSONAL FITNESS

How can you modify movements to meet your individual needs? After demonstrating a few ways to modify specific exercises and stretches, we learned about health-related fitness before heading outside for football, soccer, and hikes. The Rebels also did a great job getting active during their breaks, completing their daily personal fitness goals!

FRENCH

This week, we listened to a French documentary about Banksy and took a quiz on who he is and the characteristics of his artworks. After looking at his recent artworks, the Rebels were invited to create a piece inspired by Banksy. While they worked in teams, the learners spoke only French to each other as they made their pieces.

MATH LAB

At the beginning of this week's Math Lab, we reviewed last Thursday's statistical analysis lesson before learning to use Google Sheets to create more organized and functional charts and graphs. Rebels began by selecting a league of their choosing, be it the NFL, FIFA, NBA or others. They then picked ten teams from that league and created a chart with a column for each team's wins and losses. We then learned how to insert a formula to calculate the win-loss percentage, ensuring the solutions were in percentage vs. decimal format. With their remaining time, Rebels created a variety of graphs, including bar graphs, scatterplots, pie charts, and double bar graphs on Google Sheets to see which type made their data easily understandable to their audience.

For the Problem of the Week, Rebels completed the Future Goals lesson, Paint the Ice. Learners had to follow the mathematical instructions step-by-step to draw the lines correctly on the rink, and form the correct geometric constructions.

READER/WRITER

Which pizza is better, Domino's or Pizza Pizza? For our second workshop of the session, Rebels took a deeper look at the comparative essay format and explored two methods for organizing their writing. We first explored the Block Method vs the Integrated Method (or Divided vs Alternating) when comparing and contrasting two topics. Using the Block Method, Rebels would organize all the comparable details applicable to one topic in the first half of a paragraph, then transition to the other topic and list those comparable or contrasting details in the second half. Using an Integrated approach when writing a paragraph, Rebels would go back and forth between comparisons of each topic by alternating sentences. Rebels chose which method they preferred and practiced the techniques as they compared their favourite pizza brands. In most cases, Domino's came out on top as the winner, though many Rebels felt Gabriel's was a close contender and far superior to Pizza Pizza! Next week, they will apply their Block and Integrated Methods knowledge as they begin drafts of their Salem Witch and McCarthy Trials comparative essays. 

BOOK CLUB - THE GRAVEYARD BOOK

We met on Friday to check our comprehension, make text-self connections and construct predictions after the exciting second chapter in The Graveyard Book. We discussed why Bod isn't allowed to leave the graveyard, how he learns to read, and his relationship with his new friend, Scarlett. They are all very curious to learn more about the "Master" and what he is waiting for! 

CIVILIZATION

This week, Rebels put themselves in the shoes of President Kennedy in the later days of the Cuban Missile Crisis. After completing some small group research, based on what they had learned, Rebels had to decide what they thought Kenedy should have done. Learners discussed the pros and cons of the options, which included doing nothing, using diplomatic pressure, sending a warning to Castro of the dangers, threatening Castro's assassination, using the Navy to blockade, using the Air Force to attack all known missile sites, or launching a full-force invasion of Cuba. Once they had made their choice, they were asked to identify and give their reasoning. Did they base their choice on utilitarianism, justice, virtue, or something else?

APPRENTICESHIP PREP

This week, Rebels working on earning their Apprenticeship Prep badge took time to reflect on who their heroes are, what their greatest gifts are, and identify when they find themselves in flow. The most powerful piece was sending an email to five people asking them what they feel the learner's unique abilities, talents, or gifts are that they don't commonly see in others, as well as one word to describe a role the learner could use the talents in the future. 

Additional Highlights

This week, the drones made a comeback! New learners discovered our Tello drone fleet and spent time learning to navigate the studio and experimenting with their capabilities during activity breaks and lunch.

We also had fun playing Pictionary, Empire, and outdoor games together during our Closings this week. This group of middle schoolers is awesome!

Launchpad Studio

DRIVER'S ED - YOUNG DRIVERS OF CANADA

With their first driving lessons with their parents on the weekend, our two learners entered their second week of in-class Driver's Ed lessons with Young Drivers. Even after spending six hours in class, they made plans to work on the online component together!

PHYSICS

Astrophysics, Newton's Laws of Motion, and Waves were the three different Physics topics for our three different learners. With the successful completion of the edX Australian National University Cosmology module, he has decided to complete the entire Astrophysics X Series, with the Violent Universe being his next course. Way to go! Our other two learners working on physics are utilizing Khan Academy's high school physics course to complete a solid physics foundation for their next steps. 

Experimental Design

Now that learners have chosen their experimental questions regarding a physics concept, it is time to conduct background research! As they searched for information, they kept track of their sources to create an MLA formatted Works Cited page. With more information under their belts, it was time to construct a measurable hypothesis using the "If, then, because" format.

CIVILIZATION

After the early Napoleonic Wars, Europe was weary of war and called the Congress of Vienna to redraw the boundaries of countries to "balance power." After researching Nationalism, learners were asked if they were in charge of the conference and redrawing national boundaries, would they: amass enough military force to "balance the power" in a limited number of large countries so no group is powerful enough to start and win a war; respect historical political boundaries even if doing so creates many small unstable countries; divide people by religious preferences so there is no chance of starting a Holy War; or use Government to craft nation-states where heritage and ethnicity unite people behind a common national goal? For the remainder of the discussion, Rebels were asked to represent one of the major parties of the Congress of Vienna: 1) France, 2) Austria, 3) Prussia, 4) Russia, and 5) Britain and discuss a series of questions from their parties point of view. 

On Thursday, learners were asked to imagine that they were the British Prime Minister in 1900, facing a stark choice between two paths. Path A: economic stability through heavier taxes, more state regulation, and trade tariffs in an attempt to protect the status quo and Path B: bet that the best medicine is to open Britain to even more competition, even if it leads to economic booms and busts that threaten democracy itself. Using their knowledge of civilizations prior to 1900, what would they choose? They also contemplated whether the United States seems to be facing opportunities and threats similar to Britain in 1900—from an economic, political, military, and ideological perspective—or whether their problems are completely different. Is America in decline? If so, how would we know?

BUILD A PC

Our learners who have taken on the challenge to build a personal computer spent time sourcing their parts and ensuring they stuck to their given budget. What components should they put more money toward based on their priorities? What parts could be found secondhand? Which stores provided more bang for the buck? We're looking forward to receiving the final materials list and ordering the parts in the coming weeks!

OTTAWA CHILDREN'S BUSINESS FAIR

One of our learners is the coordinator of the Ottawa Children's Business Fair. The registration deadline closed on April 14th, so hours of her time was spent reading through the 150+ applications to select the 55 booths that will have a table on May 19th. While it is uncomfortable to let young entrepreneurs know they have not been chosen, she has handled the pressure well and emailed each business individually. Based on the successful applications, it is going to be an incredible event! 

Potential Discussion Ideas or Questions to Ask Your Rebel: 

• Spark Studio

• Can you tell me what two letters make the CH sound? What are some words that have CH in them? 

• How many body systems do we have, and what did you learn about them? 

• What organs are a part of the digestive system? 

• French: How do you say ladybug in French? (Coccinelle)

• Discovery Studio

• Quest: What is Pangea? 

• Quest: Which Period of the Mesozoic Era did you find the most interesting to learn about this week? 

• Quest: Do you think dinosaurs could survive in our world the way it is today? 

• R/W Draw & Anchor: What big ideas did you opt to write about this week? 

• R/W Aim & Release: Can you tell me some details you wrote about for "The camping trip gone horribly wrong"? 

• Math Lab Draw/Anchor: Can you teach me how to use a ruler to measure three things in our house? How long is each one, and which units did you use to measure them?

• Math Lab Aim/Release: What information do you need to estimate the distance between two places on a map? What calculations then need to be made, and how do the units relate to one another?

• French: How do you say cloudy in French? (nuageux)

• Exploration Studio

• When do you find yourself most in flow in the studio?

• R/W: After comparing and contrasting, which brand of pizza did you decide was superior? 

• R/W: What comparisons have you made between the Salem Witch Trials and the McCarthy Trials for your essay so far? 

• French: What subject did you choose for your Banksy-inspired artwork?

• Math Lab and Google Sheets: How do you insert a formula in Google Sheets? (What symbol/sign must go first?) 

• Quest: Potential or Kinetic Energy

• A bobsled at the start line of a course

• A baseball after it has been pitched

• Launchpad Studio

• Should international decisions be made by the largest and most powerful states or by a majority of all states, with each having an equal vote, no matter how small?

• What was the most interesting thing you learned in your independent physics course this week? 

• What is your hypothesis for the physics experiment you are designing? 

Dates of Interest

• Exploration and Launchpad Field Trip to 4Wheelies - Friday, May 10th

• Spark and Discovery Field Trip to the Ottawa Children's Festival - Monday, May 13th

• Session 6 Exhibitions

• Discovery Exhibition - Tuesday, May 14th at 4:15 pm

• Spark Exhibition - Wednesday, May 15th at 4:15 

• Exploration and Launchpad Science Symposium - Thursday, May 16th at 4:15 pm