Revel Recap: Sept 8-11
Important Upcoming Dates:
Thursday September 17th 6:00-7:30pm: The Why: Revel 101 & Parent Contracts RSVP on Revel Rebels Band
Monday, September 28th - Terry Fox Run
Wednesday, September 30th - Truth and Reconciliation Day (Wear Orange!)
Grade 5-6 Soccer Tournament
Boys - Tuesday, October 6 from 9:30–2:30
Girls - Wednesday, October 7 from 9:30–2:30
Session 1 Exhibitions:
Tuesday, October 6th - Discovery Exhibition, 4:00-5:00
Wednesday, October 7th - Spark Exhibition, 4:00-5:00
Thursday, October 8th - Exploration Exhibition, 4:00-5:00
October 13th to 16th - Session Break Camp with Ms. Megan, registration and details will be posted on Band on September 21st at 9:00am.
Friday, October 23rd- Revel Pumpkin Run, 2:30-3:15pm
October 29th Revel Community Book Club: The Self-Driven Child by William Stixrud & Ned Johnson, 6:00-7:30pm
Spark Studio
Mindfulness and Launch
Our mindfulness this week began with a musical twist as Rebels participated in their very first session using Boomwhackers! After exploring how these colourful instruments work, Rebels practised warm ups and simple rhythms before building up to short songs played together as a group. It was a fun opportunity to practise listening, timing, cooperation, and creating something together. Next, we shifted into social emotional learning using our What Do I Do? conversation cards. Rebels explored real life scenarios and discussed different ways they could respond calmly and confidently when faced with tricky social situations.
On Wednesday, two Rebels took the lead and guided our yoga session! Using the Yoga Spinner board game, they led the group through different poses, stretches, and mindful breathing exercises. Afterwards, we worked together to create a collaborative story using picture cards to inspire characters, settings, and some unexpected plot twists. Thursday brought a quieter kind of calm. We practiced several breathing exercises from Breathe Like a Bear, focusing on slowing down, noticing how our bodies feel, and finding moments of stillness. Once everyone was settled, Rebels enjoyed some mindful colouring, with cats as this week’s theme!
We closed out the week by continuing our ongoing conversation about gratitude. Rebels completed the next page in their gratitude journals, reflecting on the people and things they appreciate within their families. Afterwards, Rebels had an opportunity to share their family photos, introduce the important people in their lives, and learn a little more about one another.
Reader Writer Workshop
This week in Reader Writer Workshop, our Spark Rebels began by revisiting the crayon story from last week and recalling some of the important characteristics and feelings they noticed in the characters, such as being neat, lonely, frustrated, or creative. From there, learners broke into two groups for targeted literacy practice. One group focused on expressing their ideas through writing, responding to prompts such as “I am feeling…” and “I am learning how to…” Our other group reviewed short vowel and consonant sounds, strengthening important foundational reading and phonics skills through focused practice. To wrap up our literacy learning, the Sparks had an important decision to make! Learners voted on their next chapter book read aloud and selected The Magic Tree House. We are excited to begin a new reading adventure together!
Geography
This week in Geography, Spark Rebels were introduced to our Continent Puzzle Map! Rebels explored each piece, practised saying the names of all seven continents, and traced their unique shapes to help commit them to memory. We then put our growing geography knowledge to the test with a game of Hot and Cold. Each continent piece was hidden around the Studio, and when a Rebel found one, they brought it back to the circle, named the continent, and placed it in the correct spot on the map. It was a fun, hands on way to build confidence and familiarity with the continents that make up our world!
Art
This week in Art, Spark Rebels were introduced to our brand new Spark Maker Space! At the back of the Studio, we’ve created a special area where Rebels can explore, experiment, create, and bring their ideas to life. We began by reviewing a few simple Maker Space expectations, including cleaning up materials when we’re finished, replacing lids on markers and glue, and using scissors and other materials safely. Rebels also helped create a wish list of supplies they would love to see added to the space. Once everyone felt confident with our new routines, it was time to create! Spark Rebels enjoyed some open art exploration, experimenting with the different materials and seeing where their imaginations would take them.
Quest
This week in Quest, our theme was family! On Tuesday, we began with Todd Parr’s The Family Book, which sparked a wonderful conversation about the many different ways a family can look. Together, we created an anchor chart of the people who make up our families, including extended family members and other important people who play a special role in our lives. Afterwards, Spark Rebels used acrylic markers and popsicle sticks to create the family members they live with. It was a creative way to celebrate and share some of the people who support and love them each day. On Wednesday, we kicked things off with Would You Rather: Family Edition. Spark Rebels listened to two family themed choices, such as a meal they would rather share or an activity they would enjoy doing together, and moved to the side of the Studio that represented their choice.
Our story of the day was Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds, a gentle story about a girl named Violet whose family has drifted away from gathering together at the table. As Violet begins building a new table, her family slowly reconnects and rediscovers the joy of spending time together. After the story, each Spark Rebel shared something they enjoy doing around their own family table, from sharing special meals and playing board games to talking about their day, drawing, and more. To finish, Rebels completed the next page in their identity booklets, illustrating and writing about an activity they love doing with their families.
French
This week in French, our Spark Rebels continued building their everyday French vocabulary through songs, games, movement, and hands on activities! On Tuesday, learners practised saying the month of September in French and explored vocabulary connected to school and their everyday environment. They learned words such as “crayon,” “chaise,” “cahier,” and “marqueur,” making connections between new French vocabulary and familiar objects they use each day. On Wednesday, the Sparks revisited two familiar French songs, including “Il pleut,” our rainy day favourite, and “Bonjour les amis, comment ça va ?” Through music and repetition, learners had a fun and engaging opportunity to practise greetings, simple questions, and everyday French expressions while building their confidence with the language. On Thursday, we brought French into the gym for a lively colour game! Spark Rebels reviewed their French colour vocabulary while moving, listening carefully, and responding to instructions in French. It was a wonderful way to combine language learning with movement, play, and plenty of fun!
Additional Highlights
A special shout‑out to our Discovery friends, who have joined us for the past two Thursdays as the Sparks’ reading buddies. They’ve been building wonderful relationships, sharing stories, and filling our studio with joy and connection.
Discovery Studio
Mindfulness and Launch
We kicked off Week 2 with a selection of important discussions and activities that continue to help our Studio culture evolve into a space where everyone feels safe, valued, and comfortable being themselves. Monday morning began with some zen doodling as Rebels continued working on their All About Me Pennants. Rebels added drawings and began planning cutouts and stickers to represent some of their favourite things, interests, and pieces of their personalities. Our Monday Launch built on Friday’s Town Hall Discussion, where Rebels debated and established our final expectations around tree climbing at recess. We also participated in a meaningful conversation about the language we use at Revel and what it means for a space to feel emotionally safe, not just physically safe. Rebels considered whether words can make someone feel unsafe even when they are intended as a joke, who gets to decide when a joke has gone too far, and what happens to a team when people are afraid of being laughed at for making a mistake. We also explored why Revel might have expectations around language during school hours, even when families may have different expectations outside of school. Together, Rebels identified words and phrases they sometimes hear or use outside of school and brainstormed more positive alternatives that can help us protect the kind, supportive Studio culture we are working to create.
For Watch It Wednesday, we returned to our dear friend Steve the Adélie penguin and finally met his mate! Rebels had a good laugh listening to penguin mating calls while watching Steve navigate several new experiences, including building a nest, finding a mate, and figuring out how to care for his new penguin partner. Steve’s adventures sparked a great conversation about what it means to be a beginner. Rebels reflected on experiences when they were new at something and shared times when they had to keep working toward a skill that initially felt really difficult. It was a great reminder that being new at something often means making mistakes, trying again, and learning as we go. Thursday morning opened with our New York Times puzzles, with another double win for Connections and Wordle this week! We followed our puzzles with a special Thank You for Sharing, where Rebels reflected on what they have enjoyed about school so far this year, what they miss most about summer vacation, and one small thing that can instantly make their day a little better. Friday’s Boomwhackers featured some new Rebel requests, followed by Current Events featuring the answer to our NASA September Puzzler, a robot that eliminates ocean pollution with a magnetic liquid and further discussions about our Terry Fox Rebel-led presentation for the other studios.
Reader/Writer workshop
This week in Reader/Writer Workshop, we kicked off our first script writing challenge by exploring the power of curiosity driven questions. What makes a question really good? How can we turn a yes or no question into an open ended question? How can a thoughtful follow up question lead to an even better story?
Rebels compared different types of questions and experimented with sentence starters such as, “Can you tell me about a time when…” and follow up questions like, “How did that make you feel?” Together, we explored how thoughtful questions can help us learn more about one another, uncover interesting stories, and create deeper, more meaningful conversations. Rebels then split into pairs and groups of three to begin drafting their own interview scripts. Some used question prompts to help get started, while others challenged themselves to create questions of their own. Next week, Rebels will record their partners’ responses and explore how to format their conversations into a script. We’ll then jump into our next writing challenge, focused on conflict resolution and our “5 R’s Apology Card.”
Math Lab
We kicked off Math Lab this week with a deck of cards, a 12 sided die, a whiteboard marker, and a whiteboard to play a game called Six for 6! Rebels were challenged to use the numbers on the cards they were dealt to create an equation with a solution of 6, using a variety of operations and strategies. Rebels jumped right in, beginning with addition and subtraction before getting increasingly creative with multiplication and division. Some even challenged themselves by incorporating negative numbers and exponents!
After our game, Rebels were introduced to their Math Lab duotangs, routines, and expectations, as well as what they can expect over the next several weeks. To gain a stronger understanding of where each Rebel is in their mathematical operations, mental math, and number sense skills, we’ll explore a variety of interactive math challenges, try out some new resources such as Mammal Math, and even create a mathematical art piece. Next week, we’re looking forward to our next Crash Course! Rebels will try their hand at Uno with a mathematical twist and put their skills to work exploring word problems that incorporate addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Civilizations
This week in Civilizations, Rebels continued their journey into the Middle Ages by exploring the grit and perseverance of the Celts. After rebuilding their communities following the fall of the Roman Empire, the Celts faced another enormous challenge when the Angles and Saxons crossed the North Sea and began taking over their lands.
Rebels were asked to put themselves in the Celts’ shoes. Would they have accepted the invasion and adapted to the Angles and Saxons’ way of life, or would they have fled north to preserve their own values, traditions, and way of life? Our discussion sparked thoughtful conversations about identity, resilience, and what people throughout history have been willing to do to protect the things that matter most to them. Rebels were also fascinated to learn that the Middle Ages are sometimes referred to as the “Dark Ages,” in part because relatively little written history survives from portions of this time period. They couldn’t believe that so many of the stories we’ll encounter this year survived through songs, poems, plays, and stories passed from one generation to the next.
One particular favourite was the legendary story of Beowulf and Grendel. Rebels listened to this incredible tale of heroes and monsters, originally preserved through an epic poem, and considered how a story can change as it is shared again and again over hundreds of years. We wrapped up our workshop with a debate about how history is preserved. Which stories do you find more interesting, those recorded in writing or those passed down through word of mouth? Which do you think are more accurate? Can a story still teach us something important even if we aren’t certain every detail is true? As we continue exploring the Middle Ages, Rebels will keep asking an important question: How do we know what we know about the past?
French
This week in French, our Discovery Rebels focused on building confidence with introductions, establishing workshop expectations, and learning how to use some important French language tools. Throughout the week, learners participated in a variety of introduction games that encouraged them to introduce themselves, ask simple questions, and get to know one another in French. These activities gave Rebels the opportunity to practise speaking in a fun and low pressure environment while becoming more comfortable using French with their peers. The Discovery Rebels also explored what it looks like to be an active and engaged learner during French workshops. Together, they discussed expectations around participation, taking risks, practising new skills, and making the most of their time together. Finally, learners were introduced to two important tools that will help them become more independent in their French learning: a French English and English French paper dictionary and the Bescherelle. Rebels practiced looking up unfamiliar words and using the Bescherelle to find and check verb forms. As their French skills continue to grow, these resources will become valuable tools for problem solving, building vocabulary, and taking greater ownership of their learning.
Quest
Week 2 began with a closer look at our Studio contracts and promises. Rebels reviewed the meaning behind each contract, why our promises matter, and the role they play in a learner led community. Why do contracts matter when learners are trusted with greater independence and responsibility?
Rebels discussed how our contracts help us hold ourselves and one another accountable, maintain a safe and healthy space where learners can be themselves, and support the routines that shape our days, including Morning Meetings, end of day group circles, DEAR, Studio discussions, and more. Each afternoon, Rebels began their workshop in teams of four or five with a packet of last year’s contracts and three highlighters in hand. Green meant good to go and keep, yellow meant edit or reword, and pink meant remove. Each day, teams worked through a different contract, discussing which promises still felt relevant to our Studio, which needed to be updated, and which they believed we could leave behind.
Rebels particularly enjoyed reviewing our Technology Rules of Engagement and participated in a meaningful conversation about the use of AI in the Studio. What is the difference between AI helping you learn and AI doing the learning for you? If you ask AI to explain something you don’t understand, is that different from asking a Guide? If AI gives you an idea and you turn it into something of your own, whose work is it? When does getting help become getting too much help? Rebels shared their own experiences using platforms such as ChatGPT and talked openly about what can feel exciting, scary, or unknown about AI. Ultimately, they agreed that our Technology Rules of Engagement need some new promises that give us a clear and responsible path forward for how AI can be used in the Discovery Studio while protecting the learning that belongs to each Rebel.
Following our contract discussions each day, Rebels worked independently on a writing project called “Where I’m From,” inspired by the poem by George Ella Lyon. We explored a verse each day before Rebels began brainstorming the specific details of their own lives and homes that could help tell the story of where they come from. It has been such a pleasure working alongside the Rebels as they identify meaningful objects, brand names, traditions, spaces, places, sounds, and memories that feel uniquely their own. These small details are becoming thoughtful and personal pieces of writing that offer a glimpse into each Rebel and the experiences that have shaped them. We can’t wait to share these projects with you in a few weeks at our Discovery Exhibition! Up next week, we’ll take a deeper look at accountability systems, learn more about ClassBank and financial literacy, and practice important safety drills to help equip our Rebels for the school year ahead.
Exploration Studio
Core Skills
This week in Core Skills, we introduced our Core Skills Goal Sheets, explored how Rebels can work toward earning badges, and reviewed the routines and expectations that will help make this dedicated learning time purposeful and productive. Rebels also completed two key literacy and numeracy activities designed to help us better understand their current strengths and identify opportunities for growth. Rather than thinking about these activities as a final measure of what a learner can or cannot do, we are using them as a starting point. They give our Guides valuable information to help us meet each Rebel where they are and determine meaningful next steps.
Individual goal setting meetings have already begun and will continue throughout next week. Together, each Rebel and their Guide will identify clear, achievable, and personalized Core Skills goals to work toward throughout the session and school year. Our goal is for every Rebel to understand not only what they are working on, but why it matters and how they can take ownership of their growth.
Reader Writer Workshop
This week in Reader & Writer Workshop, we dove deeper into the tools writers can use to make creative writing come alive!
Rebels explored metaphors, similes, repetition, rhythm, and imagery, discovering how each technique can make writing more vivid, engaging, and expressive. Through a series of short creative challenges, Rebels had the opportunity to experiment, play with language, and discover which techniques felt most natural to their own writing styles.
To bring everything together, Rebels created an original piece of creative writing, choosing the techniques they wanted to use to communicate their ideas and bring their unique voices to life. Our focus was not simply on following a formula, but on helping Rebels see themselves as writers who can make intentional choices about how they want their words to sound, feel, and connect with a reader.
Civilizations
This week in Civilizations, we revisited the different layers of the Cultural Iceberg before zooming in to explore what culture can look like on a more personal level.
Rebels created their own Cultural Maps, exploring the communities, experiences, traditions, interests, relationships, and influences that have helped shape who they are. Through this activity, Rebels were invited to think beyond the things we can easily see and reflect on the many different pieces of our identities that make each of us unique. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about ourselves while also building curiosity and appreciation for the experiences and perspectives of others in our Studio community.
French
This week in French, the Exploration Rebels focused on building confidence with introductions. We practised different introduction games, giving learners opportunities to introduce themselves, ask simple questions, and get to know one another in French. We also discussed the expectations for our French workshops. Learners also completed a long French placement activity to help determine which workbook would be the best fit for them and which of our two French groups they will join this year.
Quest
This week in Quest, our Studio transformed into a Human Resources firm! Rebels took on a series of three challenges that invited them to think critically about the skills, qualifications, and qualities that help someone succeed in a role and contribute meaningfully to a community.
First, Rebels stepped into the role of hiring managers. They reviewed a series of résumés, considered the requirements of a specific job, selected the candidate they believed was the best fit, and explained the thinking behind their decision.
Next, Rebels became job creators! They designed new roles that could make a positive contribution to our Discovery Studio community, outlining the responsibilities, skills, and qualifications needed for each position. After hearing the ideas, Rebels voted on the roles they would most like to see introduced. Next week, the application process begins, giving Rebels the opportunity to apply for a Studio job, take on new responsibilities, and earn some Revel Bucks along the way!
To wrap up the week’s workshops, Rebels revisited the roles, responsibilities, and expectations that shaped last year’s Studio Covenants. Together, we reflected on what worked well, what might need to change, and what our community needs from each of us this year. These conversations will help us co create clear expectations for a positive Studio culture where every Rebel feels supported, takes ownership, contributes to the community, and has the opportunity to thrive.
Additional Highlights
Our Exploration Rebels wrapped up a great week with an extra special Fun Friday adventure to Westboro Beach! Rebels ventured out together using Ottawa public transit and made their way to the beach for an afternoon of fresh air, fun, pizza and time together outside of the Studio. Opportunities like these give our Exploration Rebels the chance to build independence, navigate their community, strengthen friendships, and simply enjoy being together. What a way to wrap up a fantastic week!
Questions to Ask Your Learner
Spark Studio
What materials would you like to see added to the Spark Maker Space?
What is your favourite thing to do together as a family?
What toy/activity do you like using during Free Exploration?
Discovery Studio
In Math Lab, during Six for 6, what was one creative way you made the number 6? What strategy did you try when your first idea didn’t work?
What is the difference between a surface level question and a curiosity driven question? Can you give an example of a question that might get someone to tell a great story?
Where should we draw the line between AI helping you learn and AI doing the learning for you? What promise do you think should be added to our Technology Rules of Engagement?
If you were a Celt when the Angles and Saxons arrived, would you have adapted to their way of life or fled to preserve your own culture and values? Why?
What does it mean for a Studio to feel emotionally safe? What responsibility do you have for helping create that kind of space for other Rebels?
Exploration Studio
If you could apply for one of our new Studio jobs, which one would you choose? What skills or qualities would make you a great fit?
What is one part of your Cultural Map that has helped shape who you are? Why is it meaningful to you?
Which creative writing tool did you enjoy experimenting with most: metaphors, similes, repetition, rhythm, or imagery? How did you use it?
What is one area you would like to grow in this year? What is one goal you could set that would help you get there?