Black Belt Lifeskills

Our 1st Year, Session 4, Week 2

Black Belt Life Skills

This week our Eagles were treated to a motivational presentation from 2 young candidates testing for certified blackbelt in our martial arts program!They shared life lessons, and discussed the principles of discipline, self esteem, and more (with plenty of Q & A)!Seeing other children practicing and delivering world class public speaking presentations is a key part of our peer-to-peer learning program.We’d like to extend a special thank you to Jordan and Jared Rayborn and the Rayborn family!

Heroes sit on rugs while a guide presents Black Belt Lifeskills in a classroom

It makes little or no difference how well you do in academics if you cannot get along with others, have empathy, communicate, and solve relationship problems.Teaching and modeling a growth mindset, conflict resolution, and relationship management skills is where our guides spend most of their time.The improvement and results are visible each and every week - and easily the most rewarding part of our job.This week Eagles learned and practiced overcoming fears, getting along with others, persistence, and the power of friendship!

Two boys in a classroom balance on scooters near blue chairs and long tables

Two learners work together on a worksheet at a classroom table

Three children relax on beanbags in a classroom, with one reading a book and two talking

Three learners work on laptops at a table with stuffed dogs in a classroom

Three boys build with colorful blocks on the classroom floor

The Eagles make a battery

Eagles have been learning - through a lot of trial and error - how to store electricity in a battery.What materials can store and transfer energy?They have created their own batteries out of copper, zinc, salt water, and cloth!After daily quest time is over, Eagles present their findings and discoveries - teaching each other and solidifying their grasp on electrical concepts by teaching it themselves.

Guide and three learners test a homemade battery with copper, wires, and a laptop at a lab table

Three learners in lab coats test homemade batteries at a table with cups, papers, and pencils

Three heroes gather around a poster on a rug during a battery science presentation

Children sit in a circle on a compass rug while a guide stands by a display board during a presentation

Eagles gather in a classroom while one stands to present near a TV and tables

Four eagles in lab coats sit around a table with a laptop, notebook, and cups in a classroom

A learner in a lab coat experiments with batteries and wires at a classroom table

Three children in lab coats work together at a table with battery materials during a science activity

A smiling learner at a classroom table holds a glowing battery wire project while another child sits beside her

Four children work at a table with battery experiment materials and trays in a classroom

Children in white coats sit and stand around a classroom circle near a whiteboard during a lesson

Feeling the Christmas Spirit

Our Eagles were feeling the Christmas spirit during art!The fireplace and Christmas music really helped set the mood.

Children work at art tables in a classroom with a fireplace video on the screen

Setting and Achieving Goals

Some of the Eagles goals for the week included earning their reading, math, and spelling badges.Earning a badge means mastery of a skill or subject.After core skills each day, they partner up to help each other calculate their total points.Points represent effort and hard work!

Children gather around a classroom whiteboard with a weekly goals chart and a wall map

A boy sits on a couch reading a book in a cozy room

Two learners sit in a kitchen area holding a decorated art project

A young learner kneels on the floor and points at an open picture book

Letters to a Hero

Still working on their handwritten letter to a hero in writers workshop, Eagles are practicing by mailing a letter to a friend.They have been studying responses from authors and celebrities to fan mail to perfect their hero letter.Eagles began working on their rough draft of the letter they will be writing to a hero in the hopes of getting a response!Careful thought was put into who their hero was, why they chose them, what questions they have, and researching what appeal would best motivate them to respond!

Two learners write rough drafts of hero letters at a classroom table with a stuffed animal nearby

A girl in a plaid shirt writes a letter at a classroom table

Letters to Santa

Little Eagles have been drafting their letters to Santa before older eagles peer review them and give them feedback and suggestions!

Three learners write draft letters at a table with stuffed animals in a classroom

Physical Education!

For PE we always stretch in the morning and wake our bodies up!

Children in a classroom stretch with arms raised during physical education

Town Meeting

Each Friday our Eagles lead a town meeting and this week they discussed safety hazards such as leaning back in your chair.The solutions were to help others by reminding them to stay safe.New rules are often discussed, voted on, and implemented or removed as they see fit.Of course, guides have safety guardrails in place and always step in if anything is unsafe :)

Happy Birthday Sophia!

Eagles make decisions as to what they would like to do on Friday during game time, and this Friday they chose to celebrate Sophia’s 11th birthday and have a cupcake party!