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Into the woods

By Hero's Journey Academy

In this article

Our 1st Year, Session 4, Week 3

Into the woods

We decided to take a walk in the field behind Active to explore and before more aware of our surroundings.Some of the Eagle’s interesting discoveries:

  • Different color plants and elevations indicated the presence of water - and wet feet!
  • The presence of other travelers - hitchhiker plants that left seeds on them.
  • Which plants were edible or could be used to make cordage/string for necklaces or rope.
  • Cool insects and plants - and which ones were dangerous!
  • Following a rabbit’s trail - and identifying tracks
  • How to tell time with the sun - in order to get back on time.The Eagles had so many questions about the natural world!When they returned they began researching answers and dove deep in preparation to present their fascinating discoveries to the group.They created power point presentations and presented their findings on subjects like; how to identify poison ivy, what certain types of plants were and their uses, etc…”I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” -Henry David Thoreau (Walden)
A young girl kneels in a grassy field, gently holding a small pink wildflower, with a guide nearby
Learners and a guide stand in tall grass near trees during an outdoor woods lesson
A guide and five children stand in a grassy field during an outdoor lesson
Young boy in a yellow shirt crouches in grass, holding a small plant while another person stands nearby
Children sit on a rug while a guide presents at the front of the room beside a TV and bookshelf
Four children work on laptops at a table during a presentation in a classroom
Four children sit on a rug facing a screen during a classroom presentation

Good Sportsmanship

We have been practicing and learning about good sportsmanship from the world class examples of olympic champions.Little Eagles have also been learning about responsibilities.

Girl in green shirt extends a hand to a boy beside a wooden fence and barn outside
Children play with colorful balls on a foggy field outdoors
Two young children sweep a classroom floor with a broom and dustpan
Children in a classroom stretch overhead during a group exercise

Distraction Free Work

Eagles can choose their personal work environment to maximize their productivity depending on their freedom level.Freedom levels are earned through points, hard work and responsibility.

A child works on a laptop while reclining on a beanbag with a blanket beside bookshelves
Children work on laptops at partitioned tables in a classroom
Two children read at partitioned desks in a distraction-free classroom
A child kneels on a patterned rug, stacking red blocks beside a pencil and a wooden tray
A child sits barefoot on a stool reading at a small table in a kitchen nook
A guide reads to seated children on a rug in the classroom

Edison’s Lab

Eagles are preparing to present their findings, inventions, and understanding of electricity to their parents and guests at our up coming electricity exhibition!Eagles are learning how electricity gets to our homes via the power grid and the security problems that come along with that system.They had lively discussions and debates about whether invention or innovation was the answer.If you were in charge of the budget, would you put more money into security systems (such as walls, alarms, and guards) to protect against saboteurs, or would you put more money into funding innovations that would make the grid more resilient if someone got to it who intended harm?Placing them in real world scenarios and in the shoes of heroes that make critical decisions is an every day occurrence at the Active Leadership Academy.These are the leaders of the future; and critical thinking, communication, active listening, analyzing different viewpoints, and respectful debate are much needed skills!

Four learners in lab coats work around a table with wires and small objects during a hands-on lesson
A hero builds a simple circuit at a table with wires, a battery and classroom supplies
Three learners work with wires and small electronics at a table with a guide's hand nearby
Three learners write at a table in a classroom during an active leadership discussion
Heroes in white coats work around a classroom table with small objects and papers
Three learners work with wires, a battery pack, and a laptop at a white table during a hands-on lesson

Friday Town Meeting

An Eagle stepped down from the council due to complaints that it was too much responsibility.Who will fill the power vacuum?In civilization this week they studied and discussed the birth of democracy in Ancient Greece being the first to decide matters by vote.One of the key points they discussed was that a democratic society must be educated in order to work.We have a new council member who was quickly voted in without much vetting or discussion.Will the new leader be up to the responsibilities of the job?What will happen when this new leader has the power over others to make the final decisions on their Eagle Buck appeals?We shall see…

Eagles sit on a rug while a guide leads a discussion beside a wall map in the classroom
Children sit on a classroom rug listening to a guide by a map and whiteboard during a discussion

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