Session 7 - Middle & High School Improv Quest - 2022

Every year in the seventh session our studios focus on some form of art. This year Middle and High School will be learning the art of Improv. Yes, the type of Improv you have seen on the show Who’s Line Is It Anyway or famous comedy groups like Second City or The Groundlings but this session the Eagles will take a lot more from this session than just being funny. The Eagles will be learning something that goes even deeper than comedy. Many entrepreneurs and successful business people attribute some version of improv training in helping them work better with teams, and helping them have better overall conversations with people. 

Daniel Goleman, bestselling author of the book Emotional Intelligence, claims that success in life comes down to 80% emotional intelligence and 20% technical knowledge. Whatever the statistics, it is obviously important that as a social being, it is crucial for people to be able to manage themselves and relationships with other people. Throughout the session the Eagles will be working with TaRon Middleton, a jack of all trades in the Theatre world, who was also part of an improv troupe himself! Together they will be playing Improv games to help them master:

• Intrapersonal Intelligence (Self Intelligence)

  • Learn more about themselves to see how they can best contribute to their peers. 

• Interpersonal Intelligence  (Social Intelligence)

  • Learn how to “read the room”, and take that information and build on it to become interesting, engaging, and build something better than if they were just doing it on their own. 

• Kinesthetic Intelligence (Physical Intelligence)

  • Learn how to read body language, and use it to 

• Linguistic Intelligence (Verbal Intelligence)

  • Learn which words will have the most impact on their peers and the audience. 

• Spatial Intelligence (Spatial Intelligence)

  • Learn how to take advantage of the physical space around them to help them tell a better story.

With these new tools, Eagles are going to understand how to “read situations/people”, build on each other's ideas, and go confidently in a direction where making mistakes along the way makes it even more fun. 

The Eagles will be excited to have parents watch the exhibition where they will be doing a series of live performances based on suggestions from the audience, you! 

Writer’s Workshop

This session, MS & HS Eagles will take a dive into the tips and tricks used by writers to craft captivating stories through their use of grammar. Each week, Eagles will write 900-1200 words and be asked to incorporate different grammar concepts to create the depth, imagery and impact that they desire to deliver to their audience. For an added challenge to their creativity, they will also be asked to integrate their interpretation of random images to their storyline. For exhibition, you will get to read the creative tales they create all session long. We cannot wait for you to immerse yourself in the creative worlds they invent. 

Session 7 - Elementary Theatre Quest -202

Session 7 is upon us! As is tradition, the ES Eagles will be working on two smaller quests throughout these final seven weeks. 

Twice a week, TaRon Middleton will guide the Eagles through the process of creating, putting together, and performing a theatrical production. In the last few years, Mr. TaRon has led several after-school acting programs at AAW. This quest goes beyond acting; the Eagles will take on roles such as scriptwriters, set designers, stagehands, stylists, costume designers, directors, choreographers, and much more! 

Twice a week, the Eagles will also dive into the world of games. This year's quests had a global theme. Connecting back to that theme, we will visit a different world region and learn about local historical and cultural games each week.

We also have the unique opportunity to get an insider's tour of the Texas Supreme Court and Capitol from an ES parent. This field trip will be particularly poignant for Eagles who completed the government quest last year. Look for email for details.

Session 6- Elementary Cartography Quest -2022

It's hard to believe that Session 6 is already here! The ES Eagles have been working hard all year. Continuing the theme of quests that encourage Eagles to explore the world and their place in it, we will be focusing on Cartography this session. 

The Cartography Quest focuses on maps and map-making rather than simply navigation. This exciting topic incorporates art, creativity, math, and technology, from creative and hand-drawn maps to mapping software and programs. The session started by exploring the history of maps and the many different forms maps can take. Eagles will explore the basics features of maps, learn how to read maps, and get multiple opportunities to create their own maps.

If you're coming to the exhibition, brush off your map-reading skills because the Eagles will be using their format of choice to send you on some treasure hunts. 

In other exciting news, the ES earned Spirit Week for the first time this year. At the beginning of the year, they decided that to get Spirit Week, every Eagle needed to earn the badge for a specific quest. This was achieved the first day back from break, so they are in the process of planning out a fun week of themed days. See email about the upcoming celebration.

Session 5- Middle School Chemistry Quest - 2022

I wanted to make a chemistry joke but the good ones Argon! 

In this session's quest, MS Eagles will explore the magical world of chemistry through hands-on experiments, chemistry puns and discussions of its real-world applications. From foaming chemical reactions to make the famous elephant toothpaste to learning how to make their own soap, the Eagles will see the world through the perspective of chemistry. For exhibition, MS Eagles will showcase the sessions’ experiments (with a twist) and explain the science behind the magic. We cannot wait to share the fun with you at the exhibition!

This session's writer's workshop will walk the MS Eagles through the SMART Decisions framework. This framework outlines a process for decision making that will allow the Eagles to create the space for them to ponder over the risks, alternatives, consequences, and uncertainties associated with making decisions. 

Joey & Alejandra - Middle School Guides

Session 5- Elementary Geology Quest- 2022

This session the ES Eagles will dive into the world of geology! The session's guiding question will be, "How does geology affect the way people live their lives?" This quest uses hands-on projects and experiments to understand the fundamentals of the Earth's makeup and then connect those discoveries to the world around us. Eagles will explore the geological makeup of our backyard here in Austin. Towards the end of the session, they will connect back to the countries they studied in the Language Quest and investigate the various ways that geology affects the lives of people around the world. We are very excited and hopeful to be in the process of putting together visits with members of the Austin Geological Society and potentially UT's Jackson School of Geosciences.

Kelsey & Kristen - Elementary Guides

Session 4- High School Next Great Adventure (NGA) Quest - 2022

“• Clear thoughts lead to deliberate actions

• Deliberate actions lead to good habits

• Good habits lead to a strong character

• A strong character leads to a worthy calling

• A worthy calling leads to your destiny”

― Os Guinness, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life

We are fortunate to have our High Schoolers going through the first six weeks of the new application that Jeff Sandefer has been working on www.nxtgreatadventure.com. This is a very unique experience to help the Eagles experience how to work through their gifts, opportunities, and passions to help them refine the direction of their life. At the end of this session, they will be presenting their summary of what they learned and what they might need from the community. They will also have the opportunity to ask the Next Great Adventure Network for financial support for certifications or other items/education that would help the Eagles on their Next Great Adventure. 

For Writers Workshop, the High School will work on how to write effective emails. We all know that sending an effective email can be just as important as learning how to write a great short story, biography, lab report, etc. They will be using an email framework to help them craft an effective apprenticeship email to send at the end of the session during a “send your email” party!

See you at the exhibition!

Joey & Alejandra - High School Guides

Session 4- Middle School Entrepreneurship Quest (Sales) - 2022

“People buy emotionally, and they justify their decisions intellectually.”

― David Sandler, You Can't Teach a Kid to Ride a Bike at a Seminar: Sandler Training's 7-Step System for Successful Selling 

Middle School will be working on their Entrepreneurship Quest this session and it will focus on Sales. The Eagles will be making sales scripts for simple products (such as hand soap) that their “employees” could use when they are sold in retail locations. As they make these scripts, they will compete with each other to see who has the best scripts and the winners will get advantages for the exhibition. 

The sales exercises will be based on the The Sandler Sales Method and follow the format of: Pattern Interrupt, Upfront Verbal Contract, Personal Connection, Finding Pain Points, Addressing Pain Points, and Closing. The Eagles will practice these techniques while selling products and learning how to “sell” themselves to others (hopefully to be used when having interviews with apprenticeship prospects. 

For Writers Workshop, the Middle School will work on how to write effective emails. We all know that sending an effective email can be just as important as learning how to write a great short story, biography, lab report, etc. They will be using an email framework to help them craft an effective apprenticeship email to send at the end of the session during a “send your email” party!

See you at the exhibition!

Joey & Alejandra - Middle School Guides

Session 4- Elementary Entrepreneurship Quest (Sales) -2022

Session Four means it's time for the annual Entrepreneurship Quest! Fondly referred to as "E-Ship," each yearns quest focuses on a different aspect of business ownership and management. This year will focus on sales.

The ES Eagles are split into seven "companies." Each group member has taken on the roles of CEO, COO, Lawyer, Accountant, and PR Director. Throughout the session, Eagles will explore methods for selling, not only products and services, but also a company's mission or story. We started the session with discussions about working in groups; each team created their own contract.
The first few weeks of the session will focus on using spreadsheets and determining the price of products. Eagles will think about how the cost of a product affects sales. We will then move into in-person sales techniques and marketing. Throughout the session, there will be team competitions to put the skills Eagles are learning to the test.

An exciting aspect of each E-Ship Quest is getting a chance to hear from local entrepreneurs. We have community members scheduled to come in to share their stories. ES Eagle Evan Klein also gave his annual presentation about the stock market earlier this week!

The session will wrap up with an exhibition-competition during which groups will all have the same products and try to outsell each other.

Kelsey & Kristen - Elementary Guides

Session 3 - Middle School American Independence Quest -2021

“Are your strongest beliefs worth dying for or are you willing to compromise?”

In this session, the Middle School Eagles will be working on The American Independence Quest which includes a “King George Simulation.” This is an experiential based project that places the Eagles in the shoes of frustrated colonists being ruled by King George. The objectives of this experience are for studio members to:

• Feel the resentment and frustration of having to obey a distant and seemingly unfair ruler who knows little about their way of life

• Understand the need to compromise and join as one to have any hope for winning a war against a larger power

• Weigh the possible outcomes of two choices and make a decision with real-life consequences.

In addition, they will also learn about the components associated with crafting maps, flags, and delivering persuasive speeches such as those that paved the path to the American Revolution.

The Middle School Eagles are also exploring the art of persuasion through the composition and analysis of letter-writing. Eagles will draft, edit and revise two persuasive letters of their own this session. One of those letters will be included in a fun activity they have prepared for you to experience during the Exhibition.

Exhibition will include a timeline of the American Independence, a showcase and activity with their persuasive letters and a debate in which the Eagles will discuss specific points such as those experienced by the Patriots and Loyalists during colonial times. We cannot wait for you to see their hard work!

Middle School Guides - Joey and Alejandra

Session 3 -High School Entrepreneurship Sales Quest - 2021

“Selling is a Broadway Play Performed by a Psychiatrist”

― David Sandler, The Sandler Rules: 49 Timeless Selling Principles and How to Apply Them 

High School will be working on their Entrepreneurship Quest this session and it will focus on Sales. In the first week of the session, the Eagles will perform unit economics and go through an Acton MBA Opportunity Framework to help them narrow down what product they will make. They will form companies (with the actual Texas Formation Documents), make capitalization tables, and bylaws. In the second week, they will learn how to perform sales (based on The Sandler Sales Method) and create their sales scripts. They will also learn some basics of negotiation and go to a market to practice their new skills. In the Third week, the Eagles will be putting together their product and perfecting their sales scripts before they sell in a small Christmas market. 

For Writers Workshop, the High School will be working on putting together operations/instruction manuals. The limitation of many small businesses growth is the entrepreneur not being able to delegate work. Clear instructions and operation manuals help keep standards high, work consistent, and frees up time to work on other things. As they make their manuals, they will get “customer” feedback, create diagrams, schedules, checklists, etc

High School Guides - Joey & Alejandra

Elementary - Ellis Island Quest - Session Three 2021

Session Three is uniquely short. We often take the opportunity to create a creative and experiential quest. This year that quest will be the Ellis Island simulation.

Back by popular demand, this quest will give Eagles the chance to explore the history of immigration in the United States, focusing on Ellis Island as a particular time and place in history. After familiarizing themselves with the history surrounding Ellis Island, each Eagle will create a character. Through the lens of this persona, Eagles will navigate the journey to and through Ellis Island. There will be an element of chance to this simulation, the roll of a dice or the pick of a card will determine the trajectory of each Eagle's Ellis Island experience. As they go through the process, Eagles will document their experience in a journal through their character's eyes.

If Eagles would like to connect with their own family's history of immigration, recent or historical, we encourage them to have conversations at home. Any Eagle that wants to share their own family history is welcome to during launches this session.

Because of the length of this session, there will not be an in-person exhibition this session. Eagles will bring their journals home to share with family at the end of the session.

All the best!

- Kelsey & Kristen

Elementary Foreign Language Quest - Session Two 2021

Session 2 is off to a great start! The ES Eagles are already enthusiastic about this session's Foreign Languages Quest. The goal of this quest is not language mastery; rather, the quest is designed to help Eagles develop tools and strategies for learning languages, develop techniques for research, and learn about other cultures. On Tuesday this week, Eagles researched world languages and chose the language they will be learning this session. Their selected languages will become their Project Time group- popular languages will have larger groups. Challenges will include a basic introduction to various languages and research into the culture(s) of a country or countries where those languages are spoken. We hope this quest sparks an interest in language learning that Eagles can pull on later in life.

Elementary Guides- Kelsey & Kristen

Middle & High School -Game of Life (Personal Finance) Quest- Session Two 2021

The goal of The Game Of Life Quest (Personal Finance) is to prepare Heroes with tools to thrive in the real world by going beyond a few basic financial tools and skills, and delving deeply into the helpful and destructive ways money can influence our lives. This starts with an exploration of the meaning of money for each person. Heroes will research and plan what their financial futures will look like as well as vocations and careers. Each individual will pitch the job, providing proof of talents and passions and explaining which apprenticeships and college degrees had prepared them for the position. In doing so, the twists and turns and path dependencies of early life choices become clearer. As the quest progresses, they will have surprise events that will pop up (medical expenses, unexpected damage to their house, etc) and they will see how planning (or not planning) for those events can have life-changing consequences.

In addition to the above, the High School will venture into investing. They will learn the basics of valuation, risk, black swans, and  barbells. They will use STAX to make a simulation of their investments. 

Joey & Alejandra - MS/HS Guides

Middle & High School Session One - Contracts, Systems, Psychology and Lip Dub 2021

Hi Parents, 

It’s wonderful to have all of the new and returning Eagles in the studio excited for this new year, it’s off to a great start! This session the MS and HS Eagles have been working on getting to know each other, building contracts and systems, and going through an introduction to psychology (mostly based on interactions in the studio). 

• The team building activities are geared toward bringing the group together and working through team challenges to help them get to know each other and to start to trust each other. The biggest example of this is the Lip Dub. The Eagles are put into small groups and each small group has to work together to create a finished product that eventually has to communicate with the other groups to make a bigger final product. There are many lessons learned about communication, organization, and basic project management. 

• The Eagles are also creating new student contracts and rules of engagement this session. Last year this was a lot more difficult because of the high percentage of Eagles that were virtual. The Eagles have been able to have many productive conversations about what rules need to be put into place and why they are important for their studio environment. 

• On top of everything else, we have rolled out a short psychology quest (three weeks)  to give the Eagles a basic nomenclature on performance psychology. The quest was partly based on basic cognitive behavior concepts, social group dynamics, and some from the book It Takes What It Takes by Trevor Moawad. 

For this session’s exhibition, we invite you to come learn more about what the Eagles have been working on, an introduction to Acton Academy Systems (presented by the Eagles), and the contract signing ceremony. 

Joey & Alejandra

Middle & High School Guides

Elementary Session One- The Call to Adventure Quest + Lip Dub 2021

The first session of the year is an exciting time! Eagles come into the new year after a summer of growth bringing new experiences to share with the community and a fresh perspective from which to learn; this is a Call to Adventure.

On the Hero's Journey, the Call to Adventure is the moment when a hero is called to a life challenge such as starting a new school year, level, or new school. When the Hero answers that call, the journey begins. This year specifically, the Call to Adventure Quest focuses on the different perspectives and strengths that each member brings to our community. Eagles will try out different methods of organization, motivation, and focus as they figure out what works for them as unique learners. They'll explore the Running Partner relationship in discussions about tailoring support to suit each other's needs. Eagles will explore group work and project management through the lens of each individual's strengths and challenges.

Per Acton tradition, Eagles are putting their big picture thinking and project management skills into practice by planning and organizing a school-wide Lip Dub (not to mention, it's lots of fun)! The Lip Dub is a full-length music video, with a well-known song "dubbed over." Eagles are responsible for 100% of the process. They plan choreography, filming, editing & publishing.

Some of the questions Eagles will explore in launches this session include: "What is excellence?" "What does it mean to be productive?" "What does it mean to be a hero?" "What are your strengths and how can you use them to help others?" "What is my learning style and what does that mean for how I approach work?" "What is the best way for me to set goals?"Some of the questions Eagles will explore in launches this session include: "What is excellence?" "What does it mean to be productive?" "What does it mean to be a hero?" "What are your strengths and how can you use them to help others?" "What is my learning style and what does that mean for how I approach work?" "What is the best way for me to set goals?"

We will be doing an in person, outdoor exhibition, stay tuned for more details. We are so excited that your Eagles are here and we can't wait to see each of them grow over the year and beyond.

Here's to a healthy and exciting new school year! 

AAWest Elementary Guides

Kelsey & Kristen

MS/HS Session Seven ~ Lip Dub & Animation

Hello Acton West Middle & High School Families, 

This session, your Eagles will be working on putting together animations. They will be bringing their scripts from the last session to life by either using 2D computer animation software or stop motion animation (their choice). In the process, they will be using:

• Storyboarding - To refine their stories and make sure they have a clear vision before devoting time into making their animation frame-by-frame.

• Voice Overs - To actually use the script they made from the previous session. 

• Music - To add a layer of feeling to the animation. 

• Disney/Pixar Animation Process - To see a world-class example of how animations come together. 

Writers Workshop this session will be based on Reflection. They will be using reflection in the following areas:

• Projects (Post mortem)

  • What they should:

    • Stop doing

    • Keep doing

    • Start doing 

    • Shout-Outs For Excellent Work

• Personal Weekly Reflection - Focus on how they are spending their time and efforts and how they will improve for the next week. 

• Personal Work Reflection - A look at their work over the year to see if they have been improving. 

At the end of the session, they will take these reflections and write a letter to themselves that will be sent to them all before the start of next year so they will be reminded of their lessons learned.

Acton Academy West

MS/HS Guides - Joey & Jake

Elementary Session Seven ~ Lipdub, Art and Science Quest 2021

Welcome to the final session of the '20-'21 school year! We'll be exploring a lot over the next seven weeks.

To start our session with an Acton West favorite, all studios will be participating in a Lip Dub! The Lip Dub is a time when the community comes together to film a full-length music video, with a well-known song "dubbed over." Eagles are responsible for 100% of the process. They plan choreography, film, editing & publishing. We can’t wait for you to see their finished product! 

Beginning in week 2, the Eagles will begin their Art & Science quest! We will be dividing our time with Rebecca Faubion from Artful Kids Club, a remarkable local artist & entrepreneur. She has created a wonderful Artisan series & curriculum that will culminate at our art exhibition on July 14. Stay tuned for more information. 

We will be working with the scientific method as we explore various experiments, create hypotheses, & document observations. Last session during the Entomology quest, the Eagles learned first-hand how important it is to discern subjective vs. objective observations, as well as inferences vs. facts. 

Cheers to a great final session!
Ashley & Kelsey

ES Guides

Middle School Session Six ~ Medical Biology Quest 2021

This session, the Middle School Eagles are topping off their Biology experience with Medical Biology. In the first week they will be learning about the systems that make up the human body, as well as how to check a patient's vital functions. Next, they will learn how to assess and treat various traumatic injuries. Then, they will learn about common medical emergencies and how to treat them. Lastly, they will learn about environmental induced emergencies that can potentially threaten a life.

At the Exhibition, parents will be handed a medical scenario to recreate. The Eagles will have to properly diagnose, assist, and treat the medical emergency they encounter. Providing timely assistance and effective treatment to the patient is essential. What would you do with someone's life in your hands?

For Writer’s Workshop, each of the Eagles will be writing their very own screenplay. They will have an opportunity to create a world full of characters, drama and excitement. The best written script from each group will be acted out at the Exhibition.

Joey & Jake - Middle School Guides

Elementary Session Six ~ Entomology Quest 2021

Welcome to session 6!

In this quest, the Elementary Eagles become entomologists. They take on the title of “scientist” as they explore life in the undergrowth, the critical relationships between insects and humans, the harsh truths and beauty of life cycles, and the complex classification of life. As entomologists, they take on the responsibilities of raising insects and observing with intentionality and diligence, like a scientist. Exploring in this way ignites a curiosity and appreciation for the natural world and creates a safe and open place to discuss and face real fears. Each group will be raising habitats of living things here in the studio, and we expect many previous opinions of bugs, crawling and slimy things to change over the next 5 weeks! Eagles will also have the opportunity to learn from experts; we are working to schedule a live virtual field trip or guest speaker.

Ashely & Kelsey - Elementary Guides

High School Session Five & Six ~ Biology Quest 2021

This is going to be a very unique next two sessions for the High School. They are going to combine sessions 5 & 6 into one Biology quest. By doing this, the Eagles will be able to alternate every other week between theory and experiments. The Eagles will do this so that the theoretical Biology, learned in the first week, is backed up by an experiment or two in the following week. The Eagles will be using the Modern States Biology Review Course and other resources to learn the basics of Biology (Cells, Plants, Reproductive Systems, Heredity, Evolution & Taxonomy).

The Eagles will also be doing experiments using pipettes, microscopes, and dissection tools. At the end of Session 6, the High School Eagles have the option to take a CLEP (College Level Examination Program) test. The Eagles will also present their experiments, and writers workshops at the end of session six.

HS Guides Joey & Jake