Our Hero’s Journey Continued

This week, the elementary/middle school heroes faced new challenges, changes within the studio, answered difficult questions, and enjoyed the sweet gift of friendship. The Hero’s Journey is an adventure-filled with risks, challenges, joy, struggle, and change-but it also leads to a kind of personal growth that cannot be fabricated. Our heroes have truly been embracing the journey, and I could not be more proud of them.

On Monday, our heroes continued tackling their “stretch goals” in math, reading, and writing. These goals were designed to push them farther into their challenge zones. In addition, our heroes also continued reading Wonder. This has been a fantastic experience! The majority of the heroes have been anticipating this part of the day, and so far, they have completed nearly half of the book! It is fun to see them enjoying this experience and growing deeper in their friendships through literature.

During project time, our heroes began studying animals of the deep sea. Each hero has been studying a deep sea creature that is specific to one of the earth’s 5 oceans.The heroes have been researching and writing about these creatures, and created paper machė animals to represent them.

Next week, we will continue learning about the deep by visiting the Shed Aquarium (on Monday), studying food webs, and continuing independent studies on a question our heroes have selected to study in more depth.

Questions This Week Included:

• Whose spirit of excellence do you most relate to?
  • King David
  • Daniel
  • Joseph
  • Naaman’s slave girl
  • The Boy with 5 fish and 2 loaves of bread

• If you had the opportunity to go scuba diving deep in the ocean, but you knew the pressure would be unforgiving and the temperatures below freezing, would you still go?
• What are some adaptations you have learned about this week?
• If you could travel to any of the world’s oceans, which one would you go to? Why?
• How do you know if you are creating excellent work?
• What stories can you think of that follow The Hero’s Journey?