What Do Your Children’s Shoes Look Like?

How quickly do your children wear down their shoes? Seems like an odd question, right? But let me share with you the story behind this. The other day, I overheard a group of moms talking (not Acton moms) about their children’s shoes. One mom said, “Look at my son’s shoes. They look brand new but …

Respectful Middle School

Today, I want to share with you some amazing feedback I received from one of our middle school guides. Recently, I had one of my guides fill in for my usual middle school guide who was out for a few days. After closing the circle with the Eagles, I reflected with him which is a …

Seeds of Potential and Our Inner Gifts

Today, I want to actually do a “launch” with you. This is the term we use for the discussions we have with our students and this one is called the Seeds of Potential. It usually happens during our first session, and we do this particular launch every year in the fall. We start with a …

Finance Quest

Today, I want to share with you the finance quest that our middle school is doing now. This is one of those group projects that really got me interested in Acton in the first place. Here, children will have the opportunity to learn about different types of investments and how they can make their money …

Creed of Values

This week I would like to continue the series on Creed instead of Contract. If you remember from last week, we decided that instead of having the Eagles create a contract of rules to follow, as they do every year, they would create a creed of values. They would not only establish their own rules …

Creed Instead of Contract

This is the time of year when the Eagles prepare their studio contract. The Eagles just completed their first session of the year with a set of rules and regulations to adhere to. We decided to go deeper this year and change it up a bit. Creed of Values Instead of having a contract of …

Discussing Not Hiding

Recently, we have been having a lot of strikes going out. “Strikes” are a way the Eagles hold each other accountable for following the rules of the contract. The “contract” is a list of all the values they created themselves and committed to upholding. Of course, nobody’s perfect and we all slip up! Sometimes, an …

Finding One’s Voice

One of our newest Eagles this year is just starting to find his voice. He is still in the process of learning how to stand up for himself and find the right words to say. One day, his peers were in a close-knit circle playing with Legos. He wanted to play too. He tried to …

Follow Your Passions

Last week, the Eagles got to follow their curiosity through their productive Passion Time. It is when all of the children have an opportunity to pursue their passions or learn something they are curious about. At this time, they can do science experiments, research things in history, write in their journals, or do anything (productive) …

Hero’s Journey

A six-year-old Eagle went home to her parents after the first week of school. Her parents asked, “Honey, how was school?” And with a smile on her face, she answered, “Mom, Dad, did you know that we are all heroes? I am a hero and I am on a journey!” Her parents were floored and …