Spark Studio Year 5, Session 3


Year 5, Session 3: Our Learning Journey at Invictus: An Acton Academy- Inside the Spark Studio!

During Session 3, our heroes continued their learning journey with curiosity, creativity, and growing independence. Through Montessori work and Acton Socratic discussions, they explored culture, geography, science, art, and problem-solving while strengthening collaboration and self-regulation. Seasonal celebrations and meaningful discussions made this session engaging and joyful for our learning community.

Montessori Activities

Geography
 Heroes explored the continent of Africa using maps, learning about its location and key features. They also studied the desert biome, identifying animals, plants, and environmental characteristics unique to desert regions. Mapping work helped heroes build spatial awareness and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Science & Nature
 Heroes learned about poinsettias, exploring their parts and why they are commonly seen during the holiday season. They also studied reindeer, learning about their habitats, adaptations, and role in winter traditions. Through hands-on discussions and materials, heroes connected nature, seasons, and cultural celebrations.

Practical Life: Baking and Book Exchange
 Heroes explored Montessori mortar and pestle work using cinnamon sticks, practicing grinding skills while developing hand strength, focus, and coordination. They also made cookies, showing excitement as they mixed, rolled, shaped, and baked their creations. Decorating the cookies added a fun, creative touch, making it a joyful part of the Christmas celebration.

In addition, heroes participated in a book exchange, practicing sharing, responsibility, and care for materials. Through these activities, they strengthened fine motor skills, independence, cooperation, and creativity while enjoying hands-on learning and celebrating the season together.

Addition Snake Game: Montessori
In the Addition Snake Game, heroes use colored bead bars to form a snake and exchange groups of ten for golden bead bars, with black and white bars showing remainders. This hands-on activity reinforces addition, subtraction, and place value while building focus, accuracy, and independence.
Acton Launches (AKA “Socratic Discussions”)

Heroes participated in engaging and imaginative launches to build character, self-awareness, and thoughtful decision-making. Through Dex: The Heart of a Hero, heroes reflected on courage, kindness, and perseverance, discussing how to respond to teasing, stay motivated, and find reward in doing the right thing.
In Pirate Treasure, heroes explored fairness, sharing, and earning, considering how rewards should be distributed in the studio.
How Does a Dog See the World? encouraged heroes to imagine the world through a dog’s senses, fostering curiosity, observation, and empathy.
In the Self-Control Launch, heroes practiced responsibility, focusing on controlling their own choices and building positive habits.
In Heroes vs. Villains, they examined character traits, reflected on their own behavior, and set intentions to strengthen heroic habits.
These launches supported heroes in developing empathy, self-control, confidence, fairness, and intentional decision-making.

Quest: The Power of Imagination – Designing Our Dream Playgrounds
Heroes explored imagination, creativity, and planning as they designed their own playgrounds. Inspired by stories like Roxaboxen, Dana Deserves a Playground, Iggy Peck, Architect, Rosie Revere, Engineer, and What Do You Do With an Idea?, they learned how ideas grow from imagination into real, thoughtful creations.

Heroes created magical playground designs, built diorama backdrops, drew blueprints, engineered playground elements, and shared their creations with storytelling and public speaking. Through this quest, they developed curiosity, creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, empathy, and confidence, turning their ideas into tangible playgrounds full of heart.



Hi, I'm Sarah Max. 👋

I'm Community Champion at Invictus

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