Happy Holidays! - Year 3, Week 17
Wishing our entire Forest School family a wonderful holiday season!
spark studio
Looks like we made it! 2020 is coming to an end. Studying the cultures was a great way to appreciate our similarities and differences. May we walk into 2021 with our eyes wide open and hearts filled with gratitude and hope.
Happy Holidays ... stay safe, happy and healthy!
elementary studio
One of our graduate outcomes is Cross Cultural Competency. This is the ability to form behaviors, policies, and attitudes which allows groups across different cultures to effectively work together. Even as our youngest heroes join the Forest School family, we encourage them to work toward excelling at these outcomes. We believe that if they are provided numerous “at bats”, they will become proficient before graduation. Our Around the World Culture Quest embodied experiences and research about cultures our heroes hadn’t been exposed to. They were able to learn about the history of traditions, religions, art, and foods from cultures unlike their own. It was great for them to share what they learned with their families and actually do a challenge together incorporating their new knowledge.
This was also the perfect time of year to have a Quest like this. In the year of 2020, we’ve all experienced life in new ways. With the holidays approaching, it gives heroes a time to reflect on their life, the things they are thankful for, as well as look at a whole world view of how others live. Not everyone is as fortunate as we are. Not everyone is able to still go to school, or even have a school to attend. Learning about cultures at such an early age can be eye opening and life changing! We hope to have sparked a flame in their curiosity outside of their own little world. Happy Holidays!
middle school studio
That's a wrap on 2020!
We successfully hosted our Around the World Quest Exhibition. Middle School learners paired with High School to research a culture group and share out their findings. Exhibition attendees were invited to participate in their own Maker Challenge and have their own hands-on experience with a cultural artifact.
We capped off the session (and year) with a Holiday Pizza Party! Learners have been cranking work over the past few weeks, earning free pizza as a result! Our Middle School Party Planning Committee organized a festive atmosphere, complete with some treats, Secret Santa gifts, lights, and holiday tunes.
Enjoy your holidays with your learners! Take some time to rest and celebrate and we will see you back in 2021!
high school studio
2020 is in the books!
What a way to wrap up the school year with celebrating, acknowledging, and learning to understand different cultures around the world. Last night heroes showcased their understanding of a culture of their own choosing. Their language, food, art, traditions and much more. What an outstanding job!
In addition, high school heroes entered into a mock trial where they deliberated religion versus hate crimes and how individuals or groups use religion to justify hate crimes. The world we live in is full of people that look out for their best interests and that of others. One thing I continue to see in our high school heroes is that they have one another’s back all while holding each other accountable. They are truly becoming self directed learners.
Joyful and gratuitous for another year, but ecstatic that 2020 is coming to an end. We look forward to seeing you all in the new year.
-Onward
Warmest wishes to you and yours this holiday season!
Banner image via