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First Week of School 2021!

By Hero's Journey Academy

In this article

Our 2nd Year, Session 1, Week 1

A Hero’s Journey: The Eagles first challenge!

We believe that each eagle has a special calling in life, and will encounter a series of trials and tests that must be faced with integrity and purpose, in order to live a satisfying and fulfilled life. Our mission is to prepare them for this special journey called the Hero’s Journey. Their time here at Active Leadership Academy is their training, and at times the training itself will be extremely challenging. They will succeed and they will fail, but we will help them keep moving forward and growing as result of both. As part of the Eagles’ orientation for this journey, we’ve prepared a training exercise that will require them to use and practice many of the skills they’ll need throughout the coming year: a Lip Dub!

Children sit on the floor working together with colorful materials in a classroom
Two boys work at a small table in a classroom, one writing on a paper plate while the other watches
Children and a guide stand on foam mats in a classroom, holding papers during orientation
Heroes sit at tables and on chairs in a classroom during a Lip Dub activity
Heroes stand in a line in the gym with a guide during orientation

Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.)

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”–Frederick DouglasWe believe that reading sets you free in your learning and on your journey, and so we make time every week where everyone reads. It’s a time for the Eagles to be alone with your thoughts and experiences. This time is called D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read).

Two learners crouch beside a bookshelf during D.E.A.R., looking at books
Learners sit quietly reading during D.E.A.R. time in a classroom
A young hero reads at a desk during D.E.A.R. time in the classroom
Children and a guide read during D.E.A.R. in a classroom with bookshelves, a whiteboard, and a world map

Technology Tools Challenge!

The Eagles could not wait to get started with their computers, but first they had to learn about how to take care of their Chromebook and the safety rules!

Blurry page with Chromebook care instructions and tips for using it safely
Worksheet page showing Stage 1: Internet Safety and Device Care with checklist items about Chromebook rules
Worksheet page with checked boxes for Stage 3 using Google Gmail and Stage 4 using Google Drive
Worksheet about Google Drive folders and workshop sessions with checklist boxes and bullet points

During the challenge it started to get difficult for some and they were getting frustrated, but other Eagles were encouraging others to push through and it will all be worth it in the end. They worked hard as teams and was able to persevere to finish the challenge!

Eagles sit around a table with papers, discussing a team challenge in class
Four children sit on a rug working on papers during a Chromebook safety lesson
Eagles work on laptops at tables in a classroom during a Chromebook safety challenge
A learner writes at a table with a laptop, papers, and a guide number card during a classroom challenge
Children sit around a table using laptops during a classroom Chromebook challenge
Four children sit at a classroom table using Chromebooks during a challenge

The little Eagles had a choice whether they wanted to work on their core skills on the computer or Montessori tools.

A young learner holds up a Montessori hundred board in the classroom
A child works with colored Montessori tiles and a number board at a classroom table
A young learner at a table matching number cards with Montessori materials on the tabletop
A young Eagle points at a laptop in a cubby, working on core skills during the first week of school

Team Building!

One of the most important things to do as we embark on a journey together is to get to know each other even better! Eagles got to work with each other on challenges as teams to learn social and communication skills. This will help build the foundation for the Eagles in the future.

Four learners sit around a giant checkers board on the floor in a classroom
Children and a guide sit in a circle on a classroom rug during a team-building activity
Children and a guide hold a colorful parachute in a parking lot during team-building activity

Studio Maintenance

Studio Maintenance helps build the studio maintenance system to ensure the studio remains a sacred space. Everyday the Eagles will commit as a group to taking 10 minutes out of our day to maintain our beautiful community, this place we love. The Eagles will be assigned a different job in the studio each week. The studio has been divided into three areas and for each area there is an Area Champion who uses a task list and pictures to help you know if your job is done. By the end of the year, everyone will have had a chance to do each job.

Studio Maintenance System board with area job lists and task cards for the studio cleanup schedule

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