Revel Recap: May 5 - 9, 2025
Spark Studio
Mindfulness and Launch
As warmer weather approaches, it's the perfect time to learn more about the importance of sun safety and the best practices for sun protection. We explored the Canadian Cancer Society's SunSense Challenge to kick off the week. The program provides the school with many tools and resources to learn about sun safety and enjoy the outdoors healthily and safely, as it's an essential part of every learner's education and development. Our Launch began by asking the learners three questions: "What are your favourite summer activities? What are some ways the sun is helpful? What happens when we get too much sun?" Following this, the Guides shared the display in the main space to help the Sparks become more aware of sun safety. They focused on protecting their skin by wearing sunscreen, a brimmed hat, loose long clothes, sunglasses, and finding shade. For Tuesday's mindfulness, the Sparks returned to their creative art skills and designed pop art using ant vocabulary words such as antenna, tunnels, and larvae. From bright colours, lines and dots, their pop art turned out awesome! On Wednesday, the Sparks followed the Guide through a yoga story called Wake up Tiny Bugs, Spring is Here. From Rock pose to Tree pose and Warrior, the Sparks followed along really well. Remembering to breathe and relax during this exercise prepared them for a busy day ahead. On Thursday, we spent our morning outside. The Sparks used chalk to make hopscotch, four corners, rainbows, homes, and other games! The Sparks told the Guides they enjoyed this activity, and we plan to add it to our routine more often going forward!
Quest
This week in the studio, the Sparks explored National Geographic Kids: Ants as their main resource. The book offered fascinating insights into the world of ants, covering topics like ants at home, the life of an ant, worker ants, winged ants, superhero ants, and ants found all around us. Following this, the Spark participated in an interactive game in the gym called Ants on a Log. They had a massive, long rope reaching each end of the gym, and the Sparks split into two teams. The goal? Work together to stay on the "log" without falling off for a set amount of time. As the game progressed, new challenges were added, such as rearranging their order and introducing new roles. This activity encouraged cooperation, communication, and imagination, leading to the importance and value of teamwork, just like in an ant colony. The Sparks also completed an ant craft that stated each of its body parts, and then completed the lifecycle to place onto it. They turned out very nicely and will be shared with families at the Exhibition. Learners dove into their ant research project posters for the following two days. Working in teams, they investigated key facts about ants, such as the roles of queen and worker ants, tunnel chamber functions, and what ants eat. Using this research, each group constructed an ant hill featuring at least two entrances, a food storage chamber, a nursery chamber for baby ants, a queen's chamber, and resting chambers for the workers. Once approved, they added their ant hills to their posters, labelled each part, added ants and larvae, and completed the display with colour and detail. To conclude the week, the Sparks proudly presented their posters to the rest of the studio. The final projects were outstanding, full of effort, creativity, and wonderful information. Great work, Sparks!
Art
With Mother's Day just around the corner, we began our art period this week by reading All Kinds of Families, a heartwarming story that celebrates the many unique ways families are formed and connected. Inspired by the book, learners then created thoughtful cards for the special people in their lives. While many chose to make cards for their mothers, others honoured aunts, grandparents, siblings, and caregivers who held a special place in their hearts. Following their card-making, learners could complete a family-themed questionnaire or design personalized bookmarks to celebrate their loved ones. The Guides are sending our warmest wishes to all our families for a joyful and love-filled Mother's Day weekend!
French
Monday, we finished our weather wheel and started a new one to review the order of the days of the week. On Tuesday, the Rebels played a game called Where, When, How Many?—a seek-and-find activity where they had to understand the questions to find the correct answers. On Wednesday, we learned the names of several insects in French, and on Thursday, we played a game of « Seek-a-Boo » in the gym to review the week’s vocabulary.
Reader/Writer
Group One continued their studies around the phonic sounds. This week, they worked on the letter "s" and the sound "sh." Many Sparks also worked on their UFLI documents, which focused on CVC and sight words. Together, we read the story, Hey, Little Ant. The story is about a boy who comes across an ant and is faced with the choice of squishing the ant or not. The book also shares a meaningful message about caring for creatures big and small and understanding empathy. The learners answered, "If you were the shoe, what would you do?". Many learners explained they would not squish the ant because it has a family, is not respectful, is cute, is a living thing, and has a home just like us.
Group Two started with a sight word warm-up activity. Using our Sight Words Fly Swat game, the learners each chose five words to read to the group. They then wrote them in their writing books to help us practice spelling these tricky words! Afterward, the group took turns reading two sentences each from an informational text on ladybugs. Everyone did a fantastic job reading clearly and loudly for the group, so we could hear all the information. We then worked together to identify the four most important facts we learned so that we could write them down. The learners put the facts into their own words and worked on spelling, leaving spaces between words, and appropriate letter sizing.
Additional Highlights
The Sparks went to the Mikinak Ceremonial Lodge at the central Experimental Farm. After being welcomed and learning the rules, it was time to "Meet the Bugs." They got the opportunity to colour, examine preserved insect displays (pollinators, Ontario bugs, mimics), and use magnifying glasses and microscopes to explore bug parts. Next, they went on an adventure to the greenhouse, where they learned about many different plants and trees. A special guest, the gardener, appeared and answered their questions. Afterwards, the Sparks spent most of their time in an outdoor insect hunt. They used sweep nets in the lawn, clover and garden areas. They discussed insect types, habitats and adaptations. Many learners caught aquatic insects and placed them into their containers and sorting trays. What a fun and informative field trip!
This week's Show and Share rhyming learners shared objects such as cat and hat, moth and sloth, electronic and gastronomic, and needle and beetle. Next week will be the final week for this session's Show and Share. If your learner missed their turn, they are welcome to do it next week!
Discovery Studio
Mindfulness and Launch
Monday's mindful practice was another movement-themed challenge. Rebels were invited to try a 10-minute yoga flow by Adriene from the popular Yoga With Adriene YouTuber. For Launch, we continued our series about the hard things that Rebels do. We watched a clip from Horton Hears A Who where Horton argues with a friend about staying true to a promise he made to the mayor. Rebels discussed the difficulty of keeping promises we make or doing vs. doing what's easy or convenient. When and under what circumstances should you break a promise? When someone breaks a promise to you, what does it do to the trust between you? We drew a bouquet of flowers on Tuesday morning to celebrate Mother's Day. We had a special visitor from the Spark Studio for Launch - Ms. Kaitlin! She shared her inspiring Hero's Journey with us. After not wearing sunscreen and getting sunburns when she was younger, she developed skin cancer in her twenties and has since become a wonderful advocate for SunSense awareness. She advised us to "Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide" - different ways to protect our skin from sun rays, like slapping on a hat or seeking shade. She also encouraged us to check the UV Index before recess and to help each other stay safe while having fun! We played the daily Wordle puzzle Wednesday morning, and Rebels guessed the answer correctly and had one life left! For Launch, we discussed what we have learned about insects so far as a group. The Rebels talked about how bugs and insects are different, what they eat, where they live, and what they need to survive. We began talking about their predators, including birds, foxes, and other insects. Then, we watched a video about carnivorous plants such as the Venus Fly Trap, Sun Dews, Trumpet Pitchers, and Butterworts. On Thursday morning, the Rebels had a choice of a chilly walk outside with Ms. Amy or yoga in the gym with Ms. Mel. Learners then continued to role-play scenarios to learn how to manage common social situations with their friends. This week's topics were: Honesty in Friendship - The learners explored the importance of telling the truth, even when it might be tempting to exaggerate, Fair Task Sharing - The learners discussed how to express their needs when tasks are not shared fairly and Dealing with Unfair Requests - They simulated situations where a friend subtly asks them to do their work for them and practiced setting boundaries while still being respectful and willing to help fairly. On Friday morning, we headed straight for the city bus on our field trip adventure with the Sparks!
Math Lab
On Monday and Wednesday, both groups of Rebels continued to work on their infographics for their selected arthropod species. When making draft graphs, we practiced checking their visuals for publication readiness to ensure things like their scales were consistent or that there was enough information (e.g. titles, axes labels) for people to interpret the graphs correctly. We also continued discussing how to find, check, and reference sources of data we're using. We're so excited to display these at next week's Exhibition!
French
This week, the Rebels also continued working on their presentations—one about themselves and another about a friend. Using Canva, they created simple, personalized slides to introduce different facts. As part of the activity, they also practiced asking and answering questions in French, helping them build confidence in both their writing and speaking skills.
Civilizations
This week's read-aloud was about "Revolution Gone Sour," which tells the story of how the French Revolution, which began with hopes for freedom and equality, turned violent and dangerous. After overthrowing the monarchy, the new leaders couldn't agree on how to govern. Fear, anger, and power struggles led to the Reign of Terror, where thousands were executed, including King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. What started as a fight for rights became a time of fear and bloodshed, showing how revolutions can go terribly wrong when power is abused.
Quest
Rebel Entomologists came into Week 4 ready for the next theme: Research and Development! They've learned much about taxonomy and scientific classification, insect habitats, and insects' roles in our ecosystem. Now, the Rebels have to take one of our studios and transform it for next week's Exhibition. On Monday, we put together a plan for the event and made a list of success criteria, materials, and other amazing ideas to make their AI Super Bugs exhibit excellent. Then, for the remainder of the week, Rebels rotated between stations: completing papier mâché, painting in the Makerspace, and working on placards with detailed scientific information about their species. They also had the flexibility to finish up their non-fiction writing project, All About Bugs from Reader/Writer, or their arthropod infographics from Math Lab.
Reader/Writer
This week in Reader/Writer, we took our completed research on the Rebels' insect of choice and then started putting the information and images into their book. They must ensure the information is in complete sentences with an image that coincides with the subject they are writing about.
Physical Development
On Tuesday, we played Knock 'em Down Dodgeball. There are two teams like normal dodgeball, but each team has three bowling pins on their side, and if the other team gets everyone out or knocks down their bowling ball pins, they win! We ended by playing a quick game called Cross Canada. On Thursday, the options were Bordenball with Ms. Amy in the gym or a hike with Mme. Marianne.
Additional Highlights
On Friday, we headed out on the OC Transpo and had nearly the whole bus to ourselves! We arrived at Carling and Holland and walked on the grass until the path took us to the Experimental Farm. We got to the Mikinak Ceremonial Lodge and were welcomed by Danny, the Keeper of the Lodge. Jake, who helped organize our day, led us in a review about insects, and we played a couple of rounds of Find the Imposter Insect. First, Discovery went outside to complete an Insect Hunt. We learned and tried sweep netting to lawn and garden areas, how to catch aquatic bugs, and used collecting containers. Then we had a quick snack break, and then Discovery headed back into the Lodge to use microscopes and examine preserved specimens. We also had time to explore aquatic insects in the observation tank. Jake discussed how the Experiential Farm uses other bugs to bio-control 'pest' insects. Lastly, Discovery had a guided tour through the greenhouses. A huge thank you goes out to Matt, Jake, and everyone who helped run this incredible field trip.
Exploration Studio
Mindfulness and Launch
For free-choice mindfulness, learners had the opportunity to either work on the Problem of the Week, read their Reader/Writer novel Thirst, play outside, or work on a puzzle or art for the first fifteen minutes of the day. For Launch, we reviewed the importance of solving a mathematical equation using the Order of Operations or PEDMAS. After watching a quick video, we worked through the order, solving various examples before moving on to Core Skills. After we walked around the neighbourhood, taking in the new sights and sounds, we went over the top tips for making a great first impression at a new apprenticeship or job on Tuesday. We had a visiting learner on Wednesday, so after an introduction circle where we each gave our name, pronouns, and our "happy place," our Current Events team brought us up to speed on what was happening worldwide. Thursday's yoga practice featured wall-supported Pilates moves and reclined yoga postures like supine twists. It was a slow-moving, gentle routine with many invitations to focus on their breath. After yoga, the Rebels got into teams to play a game of Canadian Jeopardy. Learners had to answer questions about Canadian landmarks, government, capitals, famous Canadians, and miscellaneous facts about their homeland. On Friday, we learned about the internal and external sexual and reproductive organs of people born with a penis. After labelling the body parts on a handout, we read an article and reviewed a slideshow to check our work. Learners also watched a quick video about the path that sperm takes. Our class ended with a crossword, which, when completed, was handed in for a ballot for our end-of-Health class draw.
Math Lab
This week's Math Lab theme was "Angles and Pythagoras." Rebels had a choose-your-own-adventure style lab offering multiple problems to solve with their small teams. Some activities prompted them to visualize evidence of the Pythagorean theorem, while others presented opportunities for them to apply it. Other optional tasks this week call back to themes from earlier in the session, like area puzzles.
Reader/Writer
For Reader/Writer this week, we delved more into Thirst by Varsha Bajaj and discussed Chapters 26-37. We started with a discussion about getting married at 16 and how that would alter your life. One of the book's characters said they don't want their wives to be too smart. We discussed viewpoints about women and how, hopefully, viewpoints have changed, and what qualities they want in a good friend or future spouse. In the book, Minni writes poems and writes this:
"They say numbers don't lie. Ma dropped out of school in 5th grade, Baba left school in the 6th, Naan Aunty had to stay home after 4th, Latika stayed home after 6th. Numbers, they say, don't lie. But do they always add up? Did all these people really drop out? Or were they pushed? Did Life give them any choice? Numbers, they say, don't lie. But do they tell the story?”
We discussed this poem at great length and discussed how it is relevant to the story and our society. We talked about why people drop out of school and our assumptions. Next week, we will be discussing the final chapters of the book.
Civilizations
This week, the Rebels worked hard to put their research into paragraph form. Some utilized the Khan Academy (Khanmigo) Writing Coach, while others used a graphic organizer to pull their research together. Learners also requested their display format, including Google Slides, posterboard, and small or large tri-folds, in preparation for the Exhibition.
Quest
The Rebels were told that the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Administration was seeking competitive bids for an advanced rocket capable of launching large payloads and crew to Earth orbit at low cost. Rebels will need to design and draw a 2L-bottle rocket plan to scale, develop a budget and stay within the allotted funds, build and test their rocket, list rocket specifications, and evaluate the rocket's stability by determining its center of mass and center of pressure and by conducting a string test. They will need to successfully test launch the rocket with a payload of simulated fuel, develop a cost analysis, and justify its economic benefits. Oh, and all of this must be accomplished within two weeks! On Monday, Rebels completed some research within their teams and brainstormed ideas for their design and how to use their budget. If they had time, they began sketching their preliminary (to scale) rocket design. On Tuesday, learners finished their blueprints, clearly indicating the scale and labelling top, side, and end views! They also finished their materials and budget lists, filled out purchase orders, and wrote cheques for their chosen supplies. On Wednesday, they had time to collect materials and begin their rocket construction before gathering for an inspiring presentation from Maria and Chris Short, who both work for Telesat! We learned so much about rockets, payloads, how much energy is required to get a mass into orbit, and satellites! Maria and Chris, thank you so much for answering our questions; there were many of them! On Thursday, teams took the full class time to work on rocket construction. Some worked on their fins or nose cones, while others struggled to make an efficient parachute system. Next week, we will experiment with water level and air pressure to find the best "fuel" while finishing construction and testing for stability.
French
This week, the Rebels played a (very fast!) game of Bingo to review their numbers in preparation for our upcoming trip to Quebec City. We also completed a Kahoot to review common vocabulary and heritage-related words. We had a great class discussion about UNESCO and how an entire city can be recognized as a World Heritage Site. The Rebels also learned how to write a postcard; for many, it was their first time writing one! They'll each send their families a postcard (in French!) during their trip.
Apprenticeship Prep
So you've secured an apprenticeship, now what?! This week, we reviewed the requirements for our apprenticeships, including creating a parent and employer contract, keeping a log of apprenticeship activities, and collecting information on people met. Every Rebel has already made their log, so they are prepared in advance! Exploration Rebels also learned that at the end of their apprenticeship, it is essential to write a thoughtful thank you letter and ask for a letter of recommendation.
Additional Highlights
We finished our ninth read-aloud of the year on Tuesday. Over the course of the year, we have read prose about gun violence, a mysterious novel, laugh-out-loud Christmas books, and most recently, a novel about the Japanese internment camps during World War II, We Are Not Free. After the heavy read, learners voted to read We Are All Made of Molecules, a story about two very different teenagers who come to realize that they have more in common than they think.
Launchpad Studio
Walking in the studio each day, you could hear passionate conversations about politics, media bias, and the selection of the new Pope. When they weren’t busy discussing current events, they were working on their math, Russian, music theory, and additional personalized coursework.
Communication & Literature
While reading chapters 15 through 17 of The Kite Runner, the Launchpad learners returned to the skill focus of literary argument and further developed their thesis, outline, and quotes for evidence and commentary on a given writing prompt. We then met to discuss "Afghan Town" and learned that since the Soviet-Afghan war of 1979, over 4 million Afghan refugees have fled to Pakistan. We also spoke about the change in perspective in Chapter 16 when Rahim Khan becomes the narrator, Hassan's story, and Hassan's parentage. During their reading of chapters 18 - 20, Rebels considered a series of quotes from various points in the novel and contemplated the narrator's reliability. In our analysis gathering, we discussed theft and dishonesty, Amir's new purpose, the role of fathers, and what they would do in Zaman's position regarding the orphanage and the Taliban. In preparation for the discussion on Friday, learners considered the Pomegranate tree, lambs, blood, kites, Hassan's harelip, and the monster in the lake and how they functioned as symbols in the novel. We then discussed what it feels like to "return home," Assef and the public execution, the 1998 Massacre in Mazar-i Sharif, and how, despite Assef's brutal beating, Amir heals.
AP Language and Composition
This week was the final week of studying before the AP exam next Wednesday. Our learner used their time to review online practice tests, watch videos on better strategies for answering the multiple-choice questions, and refresh what they've covered throughout the year.
AP Literature and Composition
Our learner completed an essay discussing how Amy Tan's Two Kinds (and more specifically, the sheet music revelation at the end of the work) relates to the immigrant experience of being a minority culture in America. They also began reading Annie John. With their remaining time, they began studying for the AP exam by reading previous essays, which received a score of 4 or 5.
AP Biology
This week, one learner took the AP Biology exam! The first section was 90 minutes for 60 multiple-choice questions, and the second was 90 minutes for six free-response questions. Way to go!
Challenge and Change
This week, our learner finished the media literacy case study analysis and began working on a project discussing the benefits and detriments of credentialism and networking on the job market in Canada, paying specific attention to the Marxist idea that powerful positions are gated behind these two concepts — leaving only what's known as 'precarious employment' for the exploited or working class. Additionally, they began touching up their resume as a pertinent aspect of an institution of work assignment.
Children's Business Fair
With just over a week remaining, our learner who runs the Ottawa Children's Business Fair is busily responding to emails from entrepreneurs, contacting mentor judges about their responsibilities, and ensuring the social media is updated regularly with sponsor and business spotlight posts. We can't wait to see all of her hard work come to fruition next Sunday!
Potential Discussion Ideas or Questions to Ask Your Rebel
Spark Studio
How can you protect yourself from the sun?
Can you share a fun fact about ants?
What happened that was 3,700 miles long in the ant community?
Which object did you use to catch bugs, and what were they?
Discovery Studio
What are your top three highlights from Friday's field trip?
With one week left to go, are you on track with your long-term Core Skills goals for this session?
What are you most excited to showcase next week if you could only show one: your "AI" species, your Math Lab infographic, or your All About Bugs non-fiction writing piece?
Exploration Studio
Can a 51-foot ladder be used to rescue people from a 50-foot-tall building?
Will your Civilization project be ready to showcase at Exhibition?
What takes up more mass: the rocket's fuel or payload?
Launchpad Studio
With AP exams wrapping up, what will you spend more time on in Session 7?
What are your predictions for the end of The Kite Runner? What will happen to Sohrab?
Important Upcoming Dates
Session 6 Exhibitions
Discovery and Spark Exhibition - Wednesday, May 14th at 4:15 pm
Exploration Exhibition - Thursday, May 15th at 4:15 pm
Launchpad Field Trip to Room Escape - Friday, May 16th
Spark Pyjama and Movie Day- Friday, May 16th
Sessional Break and Camp - Tuesday, May 20th - Friday, May 23rd