Session 6 Already?!

Spark Studio

In Session Six, the Sparks will explore the exciting world of entomology! We will learn about classifications and anatomy of insects, the importance of pollinators, insect life cycles, raising and releasing Painted Lady butterflies, and creating superbugs using AI and paper mache! With spring here and warmer days ahead, we look forward to spending more time observing insects in their natural habitats outside! We can't wait for some cross-pollination activities with our Discovery friends, who are diving into the same Quest theme! We will also complete some botany activities, including planting seeds and preparing our outdoor gardens. 

This session, Rhyme Time Show and Tell will return! Each week, we will ask a group of learners to bring in two items from home that rhyme. (Please send the items hidden in a bag.) Sparks will share one object with the group, and we will use our rhyming skills to guess the other item. Stay tuned for a list on BAND of when your Rebel's turn is! 

Other highlights of this session include a field trip to the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids, and Nematodes, celebrating Easter and Earth Day, and wrapping everything up with a showing of the movie A Bug's Life!  

Discovery Studio

For Session Six, Discovery Rebels will become entomologists! Over the next five weeks, we will learn about all things bugs, insects and beyond, from classification and taxonomy to the special anatomy and behaviours of various species, their life cycles, ecology and more! 

Both Reader/Writer and Math Labs this session will complement our Quest theme. In Reader/Writer, we will write non-fiction books about a species selected by the learner. While in Math Lab, Rebels will develop an infographic about a species of their choice focused on creating tables and graphs to represent data about arthropod populations.

We will also visit the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes to learn about bugs and use bug-collecting equipment to try to collect our own! Additionally, we will welcome a guest speaker to share her knowledge about the importance of planting native plants and creating habitats in our backyards and along sidewalks for pollinators, insects, and the many other species who need our help. 

We're so excited to complete some of our activities together with the Sparks, including an amazing opportunity to observe Painted Lady butterflies grow and develop from egg to larva to pupa to adult, culminating with an immersive joint exhibition where Spark and Discovery Rebels will transform one of our studios into an AI Super Bug infested landscape!

Exploration Studio

It IS Rocket Science! Over the next five weeks, Rebels will strive to understand the science behind rocketry before launching their designs at Exhibition. In the first three weeks, through lessons and experimentation, we will learn about Newton's Laws of Motion, physical and chemical changes, key components of a rocket, free body, diagrams, aerodynamics, engineering fuel, balancing chemical equations, and using an altimeter. In weeks 4 and 5, Rebels will compete in a commercial endeavour to construct rockets capable of launching payloads. Through a strong interdisciplinary approach, balancing science with technology, engineering, and mathematics, they will develop a budget, purchase construction materials, and track expenditures while designing and constructing their rocket. They will then have to test the rocket for stability and fill out specification sheets. Finally, the teams will launch their rockets and conduct a cost/benefit (altitude vs. cost) ratio at Exhibition!

To further enhance our Quest, we will explore the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and participate in their "Aviation and Technology" workshop, where learners will get to handle the materials used to build the aircraft they visit. They will be able to feel the lightness of bamboo and examine honeycomb structures up close, helping them better understand why and how these materials work. Rebels will discuss changes in aviation technology over time and learn about reducing aviation's environmental impact. We will also get to hear about various careers in aviation and aerospace.

In Reader Writer Session 6, we will learn about water inequality and Mumbai, India, through our Novel Study, Thirst by Varsha Bajaj. The Rebels will have weekly readings to complete and participate in discussion questions and learning linked to the book.

This session's Math Labs will focus on geometry and developing Rebels' spatial sense. Through small group challenges each week, Rebels will become familiar with geometric properties of various two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes, practice transforming 2D shapes on the Cartesian plane, use tools to measure lengths and angles of different shapes and develop an understanding of special measurement relationships and formulas, like area, surface area and volume!

In preparation for our trip at the end of May, learners will create a research display on a topic related to Québec City during Civilizations. Whether they focus on the fur trade, the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, or Québec City's sculptures, it will surely make our trip more enjoyable as we spot symbols, statues, and sights we learned about!

In Apprenticeship Prep, learners will research at least one of their Top 10 options, draft a professional introductory email and write a phone pitch. We will also focus on topics such as overcoming procrastination, chunking, setting goals, and the importance of habits. For learners on track at the end of the session, there will be a special surprise celebration!

Launchpad Studio

As we near the AP exams in May, our learners will finish their online coursework and study for the final exams. They have worked incredibly hard on their AP Literature and Composition, Language and Composition, and Biology courses this year, and we wish them the best of luck! Our learners will also continue their study of personal interest, including archaeology, coding, the Next Great Adventure program, and more!

In Session 6, we will read Khaled Hosseini's powerful novel, The Kite Runner. Launchpad learners will come ready to discuss the assigned readings while taking dialectal notes and analyzing contrasting characters, perspectives, character complexity, narrator reliability, symbols, plot order sequencing and literary argument through a slow essay.

Our LP learners will also continue taking on leadership roles in the studios and greater community. The Ottawa Children's Business Fair is on May 18th, and our learner who coordinates the event will use this session to communicate with all applicants, run an online Kick-Off event, and prepare everything for the day of the event, including scorecards, certificates, and awards.

To celebrate the end of a stressful Session 6, the Launchpad Rebels will venture to Room Escape for some brain-puzzling fun!

Important Upcoming Dates

  • 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

  • Exploration Field Trip to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum - Friday, May 2nd

  • Spark and Discovery Field Trip to the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids, and Nematodes - Friday, May 9th

  • Session 6 Exhibitions

    • Discovery and Spark Exhibition - Wednesday, May 14th at 4:15 pm

    • Exploration Exhibition - Thursday, May 15th at 4:15 pm

  • Launchpad Field Trip to Room Escape - Friday, May 16th

  • Sessional Break and Camp - Tuesday, May 20th - Friday, May 23rd

Erin Anderson