The Physics Behind Our Hero's Journey

Year 4, Session 5, Week 4

We can’t believe it is already February! Session 5 is flying by and our heroes are on a journey to slay the “physics” dragon. It has been a week full of hands-on learning through constructing machines and testing them out.

Five heroes balance in a yoga pose on a classroom rug

Three children climb on a green dome climber outside under a blue sky

A boy in a purple shirt climbs a green playground dome with a birthday cake decoration on top

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During quest time this week, the Elementary Studio explored pulleys, levers, and marble runs! They are working on building a compound machine where a pulley activates a lever and launches a projectile. Eventually the goal is to get the pulley/lever combination to launch the marble into their marble run. Their creativity is shining as they design, test and modify all of these machines themselves!

Two heroes work at a table with worksheets, a laptop and craft supplies during quest time

Two children at a table with string and craft materials, building a machine beside a laptop

Two learners at a table building a pulley and lever setup with string, books and craft sticks

Two learners build cardboard machines on a rug during quest time, with tape and poster boards nearby

In Writer’s Workshop the learners discovered the difference between revising vs. editing. Next, they began the peer revision process using warm and cool feedback. Warm feedback is when you highlight something the author did well and cool feedback is something you feel can be improved.

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Our art project this week was an ornament depicting each learner’s hero’s journey! They drew their own creative interpretation of them on their quest to be a hero and then we sized the picture down to paste it onto an ornament. The original copies are hanging in the windows of our studio and they were able to bring the ornaments home.

Children at a table sketching hero’s journey art on clipboards during an art project

Children at a table write on clipboards while a smiling boy gives a thumbs-up in the classroom

Three learners draw on clipboards at a table in a bright blue classroom

Two learners draw with colored pencils at a table in the studio

Learners draw at a table in the studio during an art project

Hero’s Journey art drawings and matching ornaments displayed on a wall

Four children's drawings and matching ornaments hang on a wall

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In civilization we had socratic discussion about the beginning of Christianity and the persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor Nero. Our discussions were very lively this week with opinions divided and sides being switched. The learners even continued their discussion during lunch time for fun! It’s hard to believe we only have three more civilization chapters for the year.

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During DEAR on Monday, our older heroes read stories to the younger heroes. They did an excellent job of reading in an engaging way using different voices for the characters!

Older hero reads to younger heroes seated on beanbags in a classroom reading area

Will’s birthday was on baking day so the Little Heroes baked him a birthday cake! They took turns cracking the eggs, pouring in the other ingredients, and mixing the batter. When it was finished they decorated it with sprinkles!

Two children mix ingredients in a large bowl at a table, one wearing a Happy Birthday hat

Three children crack eggs and mix batter at a classroom table during baking day

Young heroes crack eggs and mix batter at a classroom table

Five children in aprons stand together in a classroom beside tables and shelves

Chocolate birthday cake in a pan topped with colorful star sprinkles

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We continued team building this week with a paper airplane contest! The ES heroes designed their own paper airplane and then tested to see which flew the furthest. Based on the one that went the greatest distance they were challenged to create another airplane as a group that would go even further. They successfully completed the challenge!