Revel Recap: Welcome to Session 2!

Important Upcoming Dates

  • Revel Pumpkin Run - Friday, October 24th

  • Annual Halloween Red Carpet Parade - Friday, October 31st at 9am in the school parking lot (Spark/Discovery entrance)

  • Session 2 Exhibitions

    • Exploration Studio: Monday, November 24th at 4:15 pm

    • Discovery Studio: Tuesday, November 25th at 4:15 pm

    • Spark Studio: Wednesday, November 26th at 4:15 pm

Spark Studio

Coming up in session 2…

It’s time to welcome the Sparks into a session of exploring and building. Over the span of 5 weeks, they will dive into a new adventure each week, all centered around creativity, problem solving and hands-on learning through STEM! 

Throughout week 1, they will explore what STEM means through big questions such as, “What is science?”, “What is technology?”, “What is an engineer? What kinds of things can an engineer do?” and “What does math have to do with science and STEM?”. Week 2, the Sparks will step into the role of scientists. They will conduct experiments to learn about reactions, color mixing and cause and effect - some experiments will include a spooky theme in anticipation of Halloween! Followed by this in Week 3, they will take their first steps into the world of coding. In Week 4, the Sparks will become builders. Using LEGO, they will design and construct towers, bridges and boats, all while learning about balance, strength and how real engineers solve problems! Their final week is inspired by STEM in nature. They will focus on two big projects this session, creating a floating city and building bird nests. We look forward to a creative session! 

Fun Friday - Session 2 Show & Share

This session, we’re switching things up for show and share! Each Friday, your learner(s) may bring one item that fits inside their studio bin to enjoy during Fun Friday time. It could be a puzzle, stuffed animal, game or car. Anything they think they will enjoy having at school! Please note that we ask your learners to not bring these items outside during recess time. 

Discovery Studio

Coming up in session 2…

Get ready…get set...all systems GO! How do we see, feel and move throughout the world? How do we get energy from the food we eat and how does our body know what to keep and what to get rid of? Rebels, you’re about to find out! Next session, Discovery Rebels will become Anatomy Explorers as a part of the much anticipated Human Body Quest! Our crew’s curiosity will drive them to navigate the fascinating complexity of seven amazing human body systems and the vital organs involved in these systems. We’ll also investigate special interrelationships between certain systems, for example, how the skeletal and muscular systems work together to make us mobile! Additionally, Rebels will begin to link diseases and disorders that affect these systems and other real-world health problems facing humans today. 

In Reader/Writer, Rebels will connect to Quest by focusing on non-fiction writing, using best practices for 21st century researching in order to gather, organize and draft facts (strengthening their ability to differentiate internet fact from fiction) about human body systems and presenting their findings in either a scientific journal or report format. 

To compliment this Quest further, Rebels will explore the concept of embodied cognition through an exciting series of track and field Math Labs. Each week Rebels will get their bodies moving through events like long jump, triple jump and sprint races, and will develop understanding of key measurement concepts like perimeter versus area and practice important measurement skills using the Metric system along the way. Rebels, are you ready? Set! Measure!

Exploration Studio

Coming up in session 2…

Biomimicry comes from joining two Greek words, bios, which means “life,” and mimesis, which means “to imitate.” Biomimicry is an approach to design and technology in which inventors look to nature and the living world around us to develop innovative ideas. Throughout this session, Rebels will take on the Biomimicry Design Challenge as they explore the wonders of the natural world and create a nature-inspired innovation that addresses one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by solving a problem of their choice. Using the MIMIC Instructional Framework from the Biomimicry Institute, Rebels will be introduced to biomimicry as a concept (Motivate), learn the core elements of a Biomimicry Design Process (Investigate, Match, Innovate), and prepare an informative presentation and pitch for Exhibition (Communicate). We can’t wait to see what problems they choose and how they utilize the natural world in their solution! 

In today’s world, data is everywhere. It shapes how we understand our communities, make decisions, and solve problems. From social media algorithms to health information, from civic engagement to climate change, data shapes the stories we hear and the choices we make. By engaging learners in meaningful, relevant data investigations, we can help them build critical thinking skills and prepare for a rapidly changing world. In this session in Math Lab, Rebels will participate in weekly YouCube Data Talks before diving into a data science challenge where they will have the opportunity to formulate statistical investigative questions, collect and consider data, analyze data and interpret and communicate the results.

Why are we talking about outer space in Civilizations? Well, we all live on Earth, one planet in our Solar System that makes up a tiny part of our Universe. How can we know anything if we don’t start with the big picture? In Session 2, we will explore Big History’s first four thresholds of increasing complexity: the Big Bang, Stars Light Up, New Chemical Elements, and Our Solar System and Earth. These thresholds help us understand the Universe and how we fit into its history! Throughout the session, we will continue strengthening our use of claim testers (intuition, authority, evidence, and logic) while developing our understanding of causation. 

Learners will also begin their Personal Finance: Money Skills for Real Life course. Throughout the year, Rebels will learn about personal finance, including how to track, save, spend, enjoy, and grow their money! We will participate in simulation games, discover ways to plan for the life we want, and learn from experts in the field. In this session, we will discover our personal money type and how it affects our decision-making, learn about budgeting and how to track our money, and kick off our year-long investment simulation.

We will resume our Building Critical Thinkers lessons and utilize our closings to continue our teambuilding games. We will also add Destination Imagination-inspired Instant Challenges to further develop our creative collaboration skills. We will also complete our reading of The Hobbit and begin our body biographies and final essay projects. 

It’s going to be a fun and challenging session!

Launchpad Studio

This session, our Launchpad Rebels will continue their studies of AP Chemistry, Advanced Functions, Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices, and an independent reading course inspired by the University of King's College's Foundational Year Program reading list. Launchpad learners will also be participating in an elevated version of the Personal Finance course where they too will work to develop practical budgeting and investing skills. 

One learner just returned from a tour of university campuses out east and is working to complete her applications to her top choices. With one acceptance received within 24 hours of submission, the reality of next year's exciting changes is settling in! Congratulations!

Erin Anderson