Revel Recap: March 24 - 28, 2025

Spark Studio

Mindfulness and Launch 

We were surprised with snow on Monday, so the Sparks warmed up by sitting by the "fireplace" and used our Breathe Like a Bear mindfulness book to practice our Hot Chocolate breathing. The Sparks imagined holding a cup of hot chocolate in their hands and bringing their cup close to them, taking a long breath in and slowly blowing the air out to cool off their hot chocolate. Following this, the Sparks worked on a mini-activity where they drew marshmallows and jotted down three ways they could spread kindness. They coloured in their mugs and shared one act of kindness with the group. Lastly, to warm up, the Sparks did a quick workout to get their heart rate up. Starting with jumping jacks and ending with lunges, they worked hard and were ready for the eventful week ahead of them. On Tuesday, it was time to brighten the studio for spring's arrival. They made beautiful flowers and added what they were grateful for on the petals before placing them in the window! We then headed over to the Exploration Studio for March Mammal Madness.  We were fortunate to have a special guest from the Spark family who came in for a wonderful Launch on Ramadan and Eid. The learners were excited to learn about these important cultural events, and the guest did a fantastic job explaining the traditions and values associated with both. As part of the celebration, the guest read two beautiful books to the students: Hassan and Aneesa Love Ramadan and Hassan & Aneesa Celebrate Eid, both by Yasmeen Rahim. The first book, Hassan and Aneesa Love Ramadan follows the adventures of siblings Hassan and Aneesa as they learn about the significance of Ramadan and how they participate in its traditions. The second, Hassan & Aneesa Celebrate Eid, continues the story as the siblings joyously prepare for and celebrate Eid, highlighting the importance of family, giving, patience, and togetherness during this special time. On Thursday, we started with an affirmation: I am Courageous. The Sparks repeated this affirmation and shared a time they were brave and how it made them feel. To end the week, the Sparks played Boomwhackers with the Discovery Studio! 

Quest

In the Sparks' final week of their Wild Kratt adventures, they explored a variety of life cycles. They began by creating their very own frog head drawings. They then cut out the head and attached a long piece of green paper representing the frog's tail, which caused the learners to ask, "Why does the tadpole eat its tail?" The answer is a fascinating part of nature! As the tadpole grows and develops into a frog, its body changes. The tail, which was once helpful for swimming, shrinks as the frog develops its legs and becomes more adapted to life in water and on land. The tadpole's body uses the tail as food, which is reabsorption. Through this process, the tadpole gets essential nutrients and energy to help fuel its transformation into a full-grown frog. To make their frog life cycle study even more interesting, some of the learners added extra details after reading a story about the life cycle of frogs. This article helped them understand the different stages of a frog's life. To end the lesson, the Sparks reviewed a powerpoint on frog life cycles. On Tuesday, we explored the life cycle of a polar bear. The Sparks were excited about this as they had an eventful activity to complete with Oreo cookies. Using the cookies, they made polar bear heads and ate them afterwards. They then discussed the differences between the frog and polar bear life cycles. We started with a fun experiment on Wednesday, which we will complete next week. Two raw eggs were placed in vinegar, and they will get to examine them as part of a chicken's life cycle. Following this, they worked on the life cycle of a chicken. We reviewed that it takes 21 days for an egg to crack out of its shell, eggs are either brown or white, and the chick is born wet and gets new feathers over their chick phase. Thursday, we explored exotic reptiles and cuddly critters, an educational and thrilling experience with the Zoo Crew. The presentation was incredible as the presenter shared fun facts about each animal. Some of the learners had the opportunity to hold some creatures and asked plenty of questions. To end the week, we completed the turtle's life cycle. We learned fun facts, such as turtles returning to the same beach they were laid on to lay their eggs! 

Art

On Wednesday, there were a variety of stations for the Sparks to explore. Using the tools and stages of each life cycle, they got to be in the water with the frog cycle, which had additional loose parts such as blue and green pearls and rocks. Another station was for mammals. This station had many different animals and kinetic sand. For the life cycle of a chicken, the Sparks had a variety of leaves, wooden stumps and wooden houses. There were also extra bins with ocean animals and another bin with other creatures to play in kinetic sand. The Sparks rotated through each station and had a great time! 

Math Lab 

This week, Group One continued their exploration of the golden bead materials. We looked at the matching number cards that go with them from 1 to 9000. The numbers are in red, blue, and green for their respective place values. Together, we placed the cards and counted the numbers out loud. We noticed how many zeros are in the tens, hundreds, and thousands columns of cards. We then took turns retrieving amounts both in beads and in number symbols. The Sparks worked together with a partner to add their amounts together. They are able to stack the cards to make multi-digit numbers, which is a good prerequisite to completing operations with the golden beads. 

Group Two has completed their unit, telling time! Now, they will be focusing on measuring but in another aspect. They will begin to use non-standard units for linear measurements, such as real-life objects, paper clips, pens, shoes and much more. We reviewed the important rules for measuring length in straight lines with non-standard units. The guide explained four main rules, one: all of the units need to be the same size and direction, two: all of the units should touch each other at ends but not overlap on top of each other, and they should also not be spread apart, three: the units need to make a straight line and lastly four: when measuring something we start the units next to one end of the object and finish at the other end. The Sparks were then given a "messy math box" filled with objects that may or may not be appropriate for measuring length. For example, there were marbles, cotton balls, string, elastics, square tiles, craft sticks, toothpicks, pattern blocks, and interlocking cubes inside the box. The Sparks then chose an object from the messy math box, and we discussed the items they picked. The idea of this was to represent they had an appropriate unit that could be easily repeated with no gaps or overlaps, and that has a constant length. The Sparks then went around the lobby with their unit of choice to measure the length of objects nearby! 

Reader/Writer

To start our workshop, Group One reviewed all 26 letters of the alphabet, the phonetic sound each one makes, and brainstormed a word that starts with that sound. We also learned our new sight word for the week: of. The learners practiced using it in a sentence, spelling it, and identifying the word amongst many different words. Each learner then worked one-on-one with a Guide to complete various reading and writing activities geared toward the goals they were working on. 

Group Two played Zingo! Word Builder. Once everyone had a Zingo, they used their words to create sentences. Again, they used their CAPS to analyze their sentences. Each learner was paired with someone to review their work as many are prepping for their move to the Discovery Studio and peer approvals are key!

French

On Monday, we watched a video to learn and memorize the different shapes in French. Les formes géométriques pour les enfants - Vocabulaire infantile. On Tuesday, we reinforced this learning through a colouring activity. The goal was to review the shapes while associating them with the corresponding colours. On Wednesday and Thursday, we organized games in the gym to review the names of animals as well as what we covered throughout the week. We played games of Seek-a-Boo and ran to the right shapes, colours or animals when called.

Additional Highlights

We are saying goodbye, but see you later to our Mystery Reader friends. We ended it with two awesome experiences. We had a funny and energetic visitor who read a book all about owls. Our last reader on Friday was a sibling who read two Dr. Seuss books! Thank you to everyone who took time out of their days to read to our lovely crew. We appreciate all of you! Lastly, we celebrated a lovely 8th birthday in the studio. The learner brought in cupcakes to share and shared many memories from the last 7 years. 

Discovery Studio

Mindfulness and Launch

We started our snowy Monday morning by drawing a bunny as a cupcake. Then, for Launch, we discussed some Gym options for Session 6. All of the options were popular, such as running, hiking, soccer, baseball, Borden ball, dancing, and kickboxing. Tuesday morning, we played another round of our "How's The Water?" discussion game where Rebels take time to answer a check-in question and offer Character Call-outs to one another. For Launch, we caught up on the latest Rundown from March Mammal Madness - the last round before Sweet Sixteen! Wednesday's edition of the New York Times Wordle puzzle did not stump the Rebels, and they managed to make one category in Connections! For Launch, we discussed an important triangle - the Dreaded Drama Triangle. In this scenario, a "victim" is hurt by a "persecutor" and saved by a "rescuer." For example, a Rebel struggles to complete their Khan Academy math goal, and another Rebel "helps" them by telling them the answers. A third Rebel takes a Rebel Buck for cheating. When we take time to flip these roles to The Empowerment Dynamic, Rebels role-played how they can COACH each other but not RESCUE each other. We aren't victims; we're creators. Tough-minded leaders aren't persecutors; they're challengers who are essential for upholding our community standards. When we tell someone the answers, we take away their opportunity to learn. For Thursday's mindfulness, the Rebels had a choice of yoga with Ms. Mel or meditation with Ms. Amy. Our meditation focused on self-kindness and compassion for ourselves.  For Launch, we were able to see the exciting results of March Mammal Madness' Sweet Sixteen battles - we can't believe we started with 65 combatants, and now we're down to only 8! By next week, we'll have our champion! For Feel Good Friday, we invited the Sparks to join us for Boomwhackers! It was so much fun to play with a big group. 

Reader/Writer

For Reader Writer this week, Draw and Anchor Rebels delivered their persuasive speeches. There were many topics, such as owning a rat and getting a kitten; however, many Rebels forgot to include each type of persuasion: logos, ethos, and pathos, so they will go back and add any missing components to their speech. Aim and Release delivered their persuasive speeches on Wednesday. Their topics included loft beds, dogs, and more! Most of the Rebels did extremely well, but some also needed to add a type of persuasion: logos, ethos, and pathos. Next week, they will share their revised speeches and submit their badges.

Math Lab

With only two weeks left, Rebel entrepreneurs in both Monday and Wednesday's workshops had time to complete their business management tasks. They reviewed progress from weeks before and made plans to ensure everything would be done before it is time to submit for badges next week. 

Civilizations

This week's tale took Rebels through a series of conflicts between England, France and Spain over regions in North America. We mapped the conflicts and made connections between European countries and North American settlements. After hearing stories about leaders at the time and their actions, Rebels discussed whether or not they agreed that the actions were justified. For example, what would be worse: paying someone to attack settlements or attacking for money? If someone had been robbing your ships for years, would you declare war? If not, when would you declare war?

Quest

On Monday, we travelled to Competition Island and learned about Cassidy and her baby spoon product on Shark Tank. Then, the Rebels were challenged to create a trail mix to sell to other Rebels the next day. Learners had to create a recipe for their trail mix and then figure out the price of each bag. On Tuesday, the Trail Mix Competition began! All teams were given their bowls with their trail mix recipe and took time to bag their trail mix and set up their booths. At 2 pm, the Trail Mix Challenge began! Exploration and Sparks Rebels visited our booths and made the tough decision about which trail mix booth, price and recipe looked the best. After the sale was completed, the Rebels worked on a Trail Mix Reflection sheet. We discussed who had won the challenge on Wednesday and how we could tell. We debated between the teams who sold out of their product and who made the most money. The Rebels determined that the groups that made the most money had won. Then, the Rebels watched a clip from Shark Tank about Scrub Daddy to watch his pitch. We debated the most important part of a pitch, and then the Rebels had time to work on their own. On Thursday, the Rebels made some decisions about Exhibition and their Mini-Market. Then, they had some time to work on making their products, designing their booths and finishing some uncompleted work.

French

This week, we completed our tourist brochures for a French-speaking country. The learners who were further along in their project had the opportunity to use Canva Pro to enhance their designs!

Physical Development

On Tuesday, there was an outdoor walk with Ms. Amy or games with Mme. Marianne. For the walk, the group walked around the neighbourhood, visiting Little Free Libraries. Every Rebel got a book to bring home! On Thursday, Rebels chose to go for a hike with Mme. Marianne or playing World Domination with Ms. Amy in the gym. World Domination is a game of dodgeball where the gym is divided up into quarters, and the Rebels are divided into four groups. The four groups decide on what country they want to be and then try to get the other teams on their team by hitting them with a ball.

Exploration Studio

Mindfulness and Launch

After our free choice mindfulness, we discussed how much power words have. We discussed how words can build up and tear people down. We asked if there were any situations in which we've heard words say that we would challenge a studiomate to change. Brainrot words were at the top of the list, as were terms like stupid and dumb. We also wondered if, when speaking to someone, it is more important to consider what you are saying (actual words) or how you are saying it (your tone of voice). We reviewed whether they were said as a joke if they were okay, and how to know when our jokes crossed the line. Lastly, we spoke about a way to face someone who is belittling us in a non-aggressive but effective manner. After a walk around the neighbourhood on Tuesday morning, the full school gathered in the Exploration Studio to watch the recap of Round March 2nd Mammal Madness for the Tuxedo and Same/Different divisions. On Wednesday, learners took time to work on their needlework projects or their Quest branding challenges. Thursday's yoga practice invited Rebels to drop in with some breathwork to target vagus nerve relaxation, introduced gentle movement with some wall-supported Pilates moves like standing arm circles and side-kicks, and ended with a full sun salutation flow. It was then time to meet as a full school to watch the Sweet Sixteen of March Mammal Madness. Friday kicked off with a round of brainteasers before watching the "Elite Trait" of March Mammal Madness. Can you believe we're down to only the polar bear, ginkgo/rhizo, gelada, and puma?! This week, we also introduced a fun new math board where Rebels have been challenged to find solutions from 1 to 100 using only 1, 9, 7, and 5 with any mathematical operations. Any predictions for how long it will take us to complete the task?!

Math Lab 

This week's lab returned to the four visual patterns from last week, emphasizing taking the visual information and turning it into a graph. We reviewed key conventions like x and y axes and how to properly write and plot coordinate pairs, as well as the importance of consistent scaling - then we broke off into smaller teams with fresh eyes to try and extend the patterns from Case 13 all the way to Case 15 using Cases 1-4 as clues. Some teams graphed all four patterns on the same set of axes, making for great references during our consolidation chat when Rebels noticed how the different patterns created different slopes. 

French

This week, the Rebels completed their object presentation, photographed and printed images of their objects, and had their text peer-reviewed. They then ensured that all grammar exercises were completed in order to earn their Session 5 badge.

Reader/Writer

This week, the Rebels became photographers for their online portfolio. They were tasked with taking pictures of them 'doing their dream job' or working hard on something, as well as just a nice photo. They also had some time to finish up their portfolio page, which needs to include at least three items they are proud of with details about what they learned.

Civilizations

Glass has been around for thousands of years and has been used in obsidian-tipped spears, eyeglasses, and telescopes. It has shaped and affected numerous civilizations and continues silently dominating many industries. Rebels were introduced to a whole new way of thinking about glass on Tuesday as we learned the history of glass innovation and watched incredible demonstrations of bendable optical fibre and thin, ultra-flexible glass. Rebels then discussed what they would do if they were a Venetian glassmaker forced to move to the island of Murano and whether they believe glass today is more or less influential than in the past. We also debated whether glass is most powerful as a health tool, such as eyeglasses and telescopes, to study bacteria, a technological tool, such as a fibre-optic internet connection, or an architectural tool, such as windows and skylights. Great discussion, Rebels!

Quest 

With only a week and a half before our Sustainable Entrepreneurship event, Rebels worked hard creating their products, finalizing their pricing, and firming up their branding. We learned that having a strong brand is a way to set one's company apart from the competition. Rebels took time to think about three adjectives that described their business and crafted a slogan that was short and easy to remember. They also ensured their brand colours aligned with what they were trying to sell, once again thinking about colour theory while creating their logos. Lastly, they thought about their signage, fonts, and how they wanted their booths to be organized on the day of Exhibition. We also took time to review unit economics this week and learned about variable, fixed, and sunk costs while also making sure that our pricing is on point! The remaining Quest time was used to work on product creation and organization. We had learners busily making candles, sewing pillows, organizing donations for a consignment shop, planting seeds, and more!

Additional Highlights

With several seeds sprouting, some of our Rebels were working to re-plant and pot the growing plants! We also were able to get our Garden Tower started with the early-to-sprout dill, kale, and parsley. 

Our Quebec City trip planners have also been hard at work organizing fundraising opportunities and have chosen to run a Bake Sale this next week at all three Exhibitions! We’re proud of the ownership all of the Rebels have taken in order to make our spring trip incredible!

Launchpad Studio

After a strenuous and exhausting weekend at the University of Ottawa for the Capital Model UN experience, the Launchpad Rebels worked from home on Monday.

AP Language and Composition

As our learner's course through Johns Hopkins CTY is coming to an end next week, they completed a reflection on the previous synthesis essay and completed the final 45-question test. Next week, they will complete a mock AP exam to finish the course.

AP Literature and Composition

This week, our learner took a test analyzing Heart of Darkness and how the novel's description of the two rivers (Thames, Congo) connect to and uphold the speaker's ideas of both countries. They then moved on to modern poetry, studying the works of Yeats, Hopkins, and Eliot, which they will be tested on next week.

Communication & Literature

As we completed our reading of The Importance of Being Earnest last week, Launchpad Rebels enjoyed watching the 2002 film on Thursday. Next week, they'll work on completing and submitting a final project on the play.

AP Biology

With the final course exam looming, our Launchpad learner used their time to create study tools focusing on previously learned information. Each member of the class was also asked to contribute their study materials in order to help one another prepare.

Challenge and Change

One learner reflected upon and recorded their experiences at the recent Capital Model United Nations at the University of Ottawa for a podcast/discussion, which will be recorded next week.

Archaeology

Our learner's time this week went toward completing module three of six in the fourth and last course of the Introduction to Archaeology specialization. This Archaeology as Activism module focused on the ramifications of the discovery made at Göbekli Tepe.

Sustainable Entrepreneurship

One of our Rebels has purchased furniture to upcycle and will sell some pieces at the Sustainable Entrepreneurship market next week. We can't wait to see what she creates!

Children's Business Fair

On Wednesday, our learner, who coordinates the Ottawa Children's Business Fair, met with an advisor to go over her project management and delegation skills, lessons learned over the past few years, and upcoming action items. She also wrote and sent emails to potential judges for this year's event on Sunday, May 18th. With only a week left to apply, her team is gearing up to review the applications after April 6th!

Potential Discussion Ideas or Questions to Ask Your Rebel

Spark Studio

• Is there a specific life cycle you enjoyed learning about the most? Why? 

• What are you most excited to show us at Exhibition?

• What is your favourite part of the day?

Discovery Studio

• Would you ever want to own your own business? What do you think you would enjoy most? What do you think would be the most challenging component?

• You're getting close to an opportunity to gain more freedom in the studios! Which one thing could you focus on next week to make sure that happens:

  • Track goals to earn JT points

  • Close the loop on all your sessional badges

  • Make sure to do your personal and studio maintenance each day

  • Something else?

Exploration Studio

• Many have touted using glass because of its recyclability. Should glass be used over plastics and other materials simply because we can recycle it easier? Why or why not?

• For the last two Math Labs, you've been working with turning visual square tile patterns into line graphs. Is this in your comfort, challenge, or panic zone?

• On a scale of 1 to 10, how ready are you for Exhibition? How much money are you hoping to raise?

Launchpad Studio

• With two sessions remaining, what are your Big Rock goals?

• Reflecting on the first five sessions, what accomplishment are you most proud of? Is there a piece of work or challenge that you would like to revisit in order to improve further?

Important Upcoming Dates

• Session 5 Exhibitions - Please bring cash for the Exploration Bake Sale and our Entrepreneurship businesses!!!

  • Discovery Exhibition - Tuesday, April 1st at 4:15 pm

  • Spark Exhibition - Wednesday, April 2nd at 4:15 pm

  • Exploration Exhibition - Thursday, April 3rd at 4:15 pm

• Sessional Break and Art Camp - Monday, April 7th - Friday, April 11th

• Last day to apply for the Ottawa Children’s Business Fair - Sunday, April 6th (www.childrensbusinessfair.org/ottawa)

• Good Friday (No School) - Friday, April 18th

• Easter Monday (No School) - Monday, April 21st

• Guardian Book Club (The Anxious Generation) - Wednesday, April 23rd at 6:30 pm in the Exploration Studio of Revel - RSVP on BAND