Projects for the Real WorldQuests are real-world projects to master 21st-century skills. Usually lasting four- to six-weeks, each Quest includes a series of challenges bound by a compelling narrative and is designed to deliver 21st century skills while simultaneously incorporating traditional topics like science, social studies, and history. Ingredients of a Successful Quest
When do Quests Happen?
How is progress measured?
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Curriculum is a 4 letter word at Acton, but that doesn't mean we aren't intentional about learning designI've already spoken at length about how the word Curriculum is a 4 letter word at Acton. And though it may seem trivial, I would argue the difference between Curriculum & Learning Design is just as vast as the difference between Academics & Education. "Curriculum" stirs up feelings of administration staff, who have never worked a day in a classroom, selecting textbooks from a list of suitors all trying to sell their version of "what children need to know" in this specific subject at this specific age. For me, it implies something that's being chosen for you and done to you and is in no way learner-driven. "Learning Design" on the other hand is simply a series of invitations, challenges, and questions designed to peak your curiosity and actively engage you in the learning process. I also tell every family that tours Acton - "We are NOT an Academically driven school, rather we are a Learner-Driven Community that emphasizes character development and leadership (Learning to Be)." But just because we don't emphasize Academics doesn't mean we don't see Math, Reading and Writing as foundational skills needed to lead a successful life. We still believe in Learning to Do & Learning to Learn (Education). That said, we also believe we don't need to artificially push a child along, label them as ahead or behind, or add pressure to learn a specific skill by a specific age. We believe every child who enters our doors possesses the ability to learn these skills on their own and at their own pace. We desire to see learners establishing a true LOVE of learning, then continuing to take on more and more challenging work overtime. The idea of focusing on MORE than simply academics can most easily be summarized in three words: Whole Child Development. Yes, Math and English are important pieces of the learning design, but they certainly are NOT our only focus: Shifting gears slightly, here are some very brief thoughts on the more academically driven pieces of our Learning Design:
My hope is this blog post gives you a glimpse behind the curtain of our learning design. (Even my wife, Heidi, said she learned something new in proofing this blog!). We are always assessing and adjusting as we continue to learn more from everyone in the network.
This constant state of assessing and learning is also why we changed math software this year. Dreambox wasn't as fun & engaging, nor did it provide the immediate feedback loops for self-correction like Beast Academy. Plus Beast is actually far more comprehensive in nature too with built in instructional videos for when learners get stuck. Beyond that, we are able to lean on the Acton network here too, Beast came highly recommended from the network/ learners at other Actons which made the decision easier for us. We didn't even have the space to touch on things like independent reading, handwriting, typing, foreign language, PE, Servant leadership badges, our outdoor program, or really any of the Learning to Be & Learning to Learn concepts in the "Whole Child Development" graphic above. All of which play a VITAL role in the overall learning design and badge plans of each of our learners. My questions for you are,
My challenge for you, should you desire to dig deeper on our Learner-Driven Learning Design is to complete one or more of the Learning Design Family Badges. There are badges for parents to learn more about: Writing at Acton, Quests, Excellence, Mastery, and more! Onward! zh What do we really mean by |
At Acton Academy we promise Heroes will find a calling that will change the world by:
The final “learning to be” promise means finding ways through difficult challenges and decisions to deeply etch habits of positive character traits into each soul, while rubbing away the negative habits that take away from who we are destined to become, if we want to reach our full potential. |
Acton Academy’s Learning Philosophy is:
Learning to do means making practical decisions in the real world to accomplish great tasks, as a way to change the world.
But however important the tasks of learning to learn and learning to do, the most important part of finding the Grail in the Hero’s Journey is not the Grail itself, but how the hero is changed in the process. This is the essence of learning to be.
We want Eagles near the end of a successful, satisfying and fulfilling life to have answer to three important questions:
Variation Across Studios
In the Elementary Studio, much of the “learning to be” impact comes from hero stories, working together in curiosity-filled quests and “learning to be” badges, supported by Full-Circle Feedback from peers.
In the Middle School Studio, 360 feedback and Hero Bucks become even more critical for earning additional freedom and responsibility through Freedom Levels, all supporting the habits of self-management and self-governance, as recorded in Servant Leader Badges.
By Launchpad, many of the most important “learn to be” habits are deeply embedded, and increasingly put into action in lower studios through Servant Leader badges, while attention shifts towards who Launch padders will become in their “next great adventure” in the real world.
- Clear thinking leads to good decisions,
- Good decisions lead to the right habits,
- The right habits lead to character and
- Character becomes destiny.
Learning to do means making practical decisions in the real world to accomplish great tasks, as a way to change the world.
But however important the tasks of learning to learn and learning to do, the most important part of finding the Grail in the Hero’s Journey is not the Grail itself, but how the hero is changed in the process. This is the essence of learning to be.
We want Eagles near the end of a successful, satisfying and fulfilling life to have answer to three important questions:
- Did I contribute something meaningful?
- Was I a good person? and
- Who did I love and who loved me?
Variation Across Studios
In the Elementary Studio, much of the “learning to be” impact comes from hero stories, working together in curiosity-filled quests and “learning to be” badges, supported by Full-Circle Feedback from peers.
In the Middle School Studio, 360 feedback and Hero Bucks become even more critical for earning additional freedom and responsibility through Freedom Levels, all supporting the habits of self-management and self-governance, as recorded in Servant Leader Badges.
By Launchpad, many of the most important “learn to be” habits are deeply embedded, and increasingly put into action in lower studios through Servant Leader badges, while attention shifts towards who Launch padders will become in their “next great adventure” in the real world.