Our first Quests of the 2020-2021 school year!
COVID can’t stop real world learning. Whether it’s remote or in-person learning, our Guides have designed killer “Quests” (our term for real world projects) for our K12 learners to kick off the school year.
Spark (ages 5-7)
Introducing Build the Tribe Quest!
Goals:
To build a tribe in which learners feel known and connected;
To introduce the systems of the Studio (our term for classroom);
To establish the boundaries and routines that allow learners to work independently; and
To introduce works as quickly as possible so that learners have plenty to keep them interested when the Guide is giving individual lessons.
Week 1 - Getting to Know Each Other
Week 2 - Kindness and Teamwork
Week 3 - Emotions are Sacred
Week 4 - The Hero’s Journey
Week 5 - Kindness and Teamwork
For this Quest, learners will visit various team building activities throughout the weeks. The heroes will advocate 2-3 leaders to host the Exhibition wherein they will reflect upon their experiences in the Studio. The leaders will generate an introductory name game for parents to participate. After the introduction, the children will demonstrate a few of the team building activities they have learned. Once the children finish their team building demonstrations the leaders of the group will introduce a game that they have created for the parents to partake in as we continue to Build the Tribe beyond the Studio walls.
Over the course of this Quest, learners will invite an expert to come in and give feedback to the heroes before the Exhibition.
At Exhibition, parents will experience relationship building games led by heroes and then give the following feedback: I like, I wish, I wonder, What if?
Following the Exhibition, learners will reflect upon the experience and discuss what went well, what we could have improved, etc.
Elementary (ages 8-10)
Introducing the Spartan Quest!
For our first elementary Quest of the year, heroes will embody the spirit of a Spartan. A Spartan is characterized as self-disciplined, being courageous in the face of adversity and brave in speech. Elementary will participate in “The Spartan Quest” and follow the stages of the heroes journey to create our Forest school Playground. As Engineers, heroes will study the science of physics and think outside the box to come up with a design that has not been done before to accomplish the mission. Learners will also self-reflect on their own hero’s journey as they create autobiographies and self portraits.
The Spartan Race is On!
Middle School (ages 11-14)
Introducing the Purpose Quest!
The mission of The Forest School is that everyone who enters our doors will find a calling that will change the world. Middle School learners are jumping right into the deep end of this mission statement, spending time reflecting on who they are, what they love doing, what they are good at, and what needs in the world make spur them to action. Welcome to the Purpose Quest - a launching point for Middle Schoolers to step into their Hero’s Journey with a sense of confidence and direction. Over the next few weeks, learners will craft their own unique purpose statements, begin building their networks of people who can help them actualize their purpose, and showcase their ability to connect with and encourage their fellow Studiomates. This quest is a combination of learning the skills of introspection (Who am I?), connection (Who are my Studiomates?), and networking (Who do I know that can help me achieve my purpose?). At our Exhibition, each learner will present evidence that they have thought deeply about these questions and are ready to launch into their own Hero’s Journey to a find a calling that will change the world.
High School (ages 14-18)
Introducing the Film and Photography Quest!
What happens deep inside when you take in a captivating image or when you watch a thought provoking film? How do most powerful photos and films change the life of a community and nation? How does it change you?
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” — Aaron Siskind
As High School heroes prepare for exhibition, they will have to weight artistic, commercial, and personal goals to decide what mattered most:
Personal satisfaction for creating great work?
Selling all of your prints?
Leaving the guests in awe? or
Just having a good time?
Heroes will kick off the year entering into the life of photographers, film makers, and storytellers. They will be responsible for planning, shooting, editing and printing a series of three original images as well as creating a 15-30 minute short film. At the exhibition, parents, visitors, and experts will browse, ask heroes about their creative process and bid on their favorite print in a silent auction. We will close with a deep reflection and overall lessons learned over the session.
Banner image via