We are grateful to be at ALA!

Year 4, Session 2, Week 2

The theme of this week was gratitude! Both studios had several discussions about what gratitude means and what they are thankful for. The ES heroes started writing in gratitude journals and sharing what they wrote in closing circle. What are you thankful for today?

Three children sort rocks and trays at a picnic table outside under a covered patio

A young hero writes in a gratitude journal at a wooden table with a blue pencil

Young hero with pink glasses paints a rock at a wooden table while another child works nearby

A boy in a green jacket paints a rock at a picnic table with a tray and other painted stones nearby

Two heroes at a table, one writing in a gratitude journal while the other watches

Two young children at a classroom table hold colorful craft pieces with scissors and cups scattered nearby

A boy in an orange shirt uses a dropper over a tray of bubble solution at a table

Three children balance on stepping stones around a tree by a fence outdoors

Three heroes write in gratitude journals at a table with flowers in the classroom

Two children climb and stand on a green playground dome under a blue sky

‍

Heroes sit on bean bags in a classroom closing circle with tables and flowers nearby

‍

Art

In the spirit of gratitude, during art we made gratitude rocks! Rocks were painted using acrylics in a design style of the learner’s choice. We discussed how the rocks can be kept as a reminder to be grateful in the moment, or given to someone special that you appreciate as a form of recognition.

‍

Young learners paint gratitude rocks with acrylics at art tables during art class

Children paint gratitude rocks around a classroom table during art class

Young girl smiles while painting a gratitude rock at an art table with paper plates and paint supplies

Child paints gratitude rocks on paper plates with acrylics during art class

A young learner paints a rock and paper plate at an art table with paint bottles

Painted gratitude rocks with colorful words and designs arranged on a wooden table

‍

Writer’s Workshop

In Writer’s Workshop, the ES continued drafting memoirs to tell the story of who they are. We read “Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street” by Roni Schotter and then the learners began crafting a story about a time seemingly nothing happened to them. On Thursday, we read a chapter from “Marshfield Dreams” by Ralph Fletcher about a time his brother ate a bunch of weird things. This inspired the heroes to write about a time they ate something unusual as well.

‍

Civilization

During civilization, ES learned how mummies were created and what it took to build the great pyramids in Egypt. Later in the week, we discussed the first Jewish people and the formation of the Israelite nation. We will continue our journey through ancient times next week starting with the Babylonians.

‍

Build-A-Business Quest

ES heroes viewed examples of business branding and imagery this week. Then they applied what they learned to their own business by creating logos to be used at the Children’s Business Fair. Later in the week, they discussed how employees can affect how profitable a business is. The learners got to play the online game RoboRush to experiment with how employees and customer satisfaction impact profits.

Three learners stand and sit around laptops and papers at a table in a classroom

A girl sits cross-legged on a classroom rug beside cubbies and folding chairs during a group discussion

Two learners use laptops at a table while playing RoboRush in a classroom

Three learners sit on a rug reviewing papers beside a laptop and cubbies of green bags

‍

Little Heroes Studio

The Little Heroes chose to make banana pudding this week as their baking project. They practiced using their fine motor skills to cut up bananas, pour milk, and gently stir batter. Later on they enjoyed painting outside!

A hero slices bananas on a cutting board beside a banana pudding mix in a classroom kitchen

A young hero cuts bananas on a tray during the Little Heroes Studio baking project while other children work nearby

A young hero in pink glasses slices bananas on a cutting board while a classmate watches in the classroom

A hero in pink glasses stirs batter in a blue bowl while another child watches at a table

Two learners make banana pudding at a table with a blue mixing bowl and ingredients in the classroom

Children stir banana pudding ingredients in a blue bowl at a classroom table while others work nearby

Two children pour milk into a blue bowl during a baking activity, with pudding mix boxes on the table

Children sit at a table with baking ingredients and a blue bowl during Little Heroes Studio

‍

Three young children at a table make banana pudding, with a bowl, whisk, Nilla wafers, and a baking dish

Banana pudding topped with vanilla wafers in a glass baking dish

Four children paint at an easel outdoors beside a tree and fence

Two young children paint at an outdoor easel on the grass

Young girl holds up a drawing outdoors on the school lawn

A boy holds up a painted paper and gives thumbs up on a grassy field

‍

Elementary Studio

The ES pulled “sports” as Thursday’s theme and brought their martial arts equipment to share with the studio. It was also Harper’s birthday this week - happy birthday Harper!

‍

Boy in a blue shirt holds a red foam martial arts stick in front of an academy banner

Elementary learner holding martial arts nunchucks in front of an Active Leadership Academy banner

Smiling hero in a Happy Birthday hat and glasses stands against a wall

‍

Recent Posts

Welcome Back Heroes

Exploring Interests and Trying New Things

Passionate About Growth in Session 7

Begin your Family's Journey