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Journey Through the Season of Giving

By Hero's Journey Academy

Year 4, Session 4, Week 1

This week we read “The Giving Tree” and in the Elementary Studio started the “Seasons of Giving Challenge”! This challenge invites learners to write daily in their gratitude journal as well as display heroic traits such as kindness, encouragement, dedication, and honesty. This is a session-long challenge and heroes have the opportunity to earn a popcorn/movie party.

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A copy of The Giving Tree is propped against a potted plant with green leaves
Bulletin board for the Season of Giving Challenge with colorful headings and a list of learner names

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Quest

This session the topic of quest time is chess! While the Little Heroes are learning about chess as well, on a smaller scale, the ES are diving deep. The elementary heroes have begun practicing notating their games and using a chess clock to track their time. They are aiming to improve each week in preparation for a chess tournament at the end of the session!

Three heroes sit at a table writing on worksheets during chess quest time
Two heroes review a paper together in the classroom beside a bookshelf and screen
Elementary heroes play chess at a classroom table during quest time
Two children play chess at a table in a classroom
Children in a classroom chess quest play games at a table with a laptop, board, and traffic light timer
Hero using a laptop and chess headset at a table during quest time in the classroom
Two children play chess at a table with a chess clock in a blue classroom
Chess.com official score sheet with handwritten moves on a table

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PE

During PE, the older learners set up an obstacle course for everyone! Then both little and older heroes took turns leading yoga. It was a great way to wind down after getting all of their energy out.

Two heroes crawl under chairs in a PE obstacle course in the gym with cones and mats
Children walk across green balance beams in a PE obstacle course with chairs and training equipment nearby
Children in teal dresses climb over inflatable PE obstacles in a gym
Two young girls walk across a PE obstacle course in a gym with punching bags, chairs, and wall posters
Learners in a gym do yoga stretches on the mat during PE
Children in a gym hold yoga poses on mats during PE with exercise equipment in the background
Children in a gym hold yoga poses on the mat floor during PE

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Art

This week in art we got in the Thanksgiving spirit and made turkeys! Each hero made a unique turkey that displayed their creativity and personality. They brought their creations home to give to their parents.

Children color turkey drawings at a classroom table during art class
Children color Thanksgiving turkeys around a table in the art room
Children color Thanksgiving turkey drawings at a table in art class
Hero in art class gives a thumbs-up while holding a colorful paper turkey craft
Three children smile holding colorful turkey crafts in an art classroom

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Writers’ Workshop

In Writers’ Workshop, the elementary studio began researching their favorite heroes. Their task is to narrow it down to one hero that they would like to write a letter to. Each learner will write a letter explaining to their hero what it is they value about them, and asking questions that invite a response back. They will mail the letters at the end of the session and we will see if anyone hears back!

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Little Heroes Studio

The Little Heroes learned about the king and queen pieces in chess and how they move. They began practicing some games online and will start playing on a board when they learn the rest of the pieces. They also baked cornbread as a Thanksgiving treat. Baking is one of their favorite activities throughout the week!

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Four children stand on colorful squares in a classroom during a chess movement activity
Young girl in a tutu stands smiling beside a pile of wooden blocks in the Little Heroes Studio
Two learners sit on the floor by cubbies, reaching for books near a blue beanbag and a wall poster
Two Little Heroes smile at a table with chess-themed cards and a small tray in the classroom
A child lies on the floor coloring a U.S. map worksheet beside other blank map pages
Young girl in pink glasses draws at a classroom table with paper cutouts and a small vase
Children work on chess practice cards on a rug in the classroom
Word puzzle cards and a Finley Himel name card on a table beside a tray and small jar with pink flowers
Four little heroes smile and give thumbs-up around a table in the studio with snacks and learning shelves
Young hero stands in a classroom holding a large map and smiling

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Children pour ingredients into a bowl and hold a muffin tin while baking cornbread in a classroom kitchen
Two girls crack an egg into a bowl during a baking activity at a table with mixing bowls
Boy pours liquid from a bottle into a measuring cup at a patterned table
Powdered cupcakes on a red tray with children's hands around the table
Two children eat powdered donuts at a table beside a red tray in a blue room
Four children smile around a table with powdered muffins and woven pumpkin baskets in the classroom

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