Acton Exhibitions: Reflecting on the Journey
At Acton, we choose public exhibitions over exams. Instead of a test, our Owls are challenged to demonstrate their knowledge and their quest for information through a creative event for an audience of their peers, parents, and expert professionals. Exhibitions can be an original theater production, a rocket launch, garden tour, or chess tournament. It’s important to know that unlike Core Skills where learners demonstrate mastery of math and reading, Quest work is a place for them to explore, collaborate, fail, try again, and ultimately have the freedom to discover their gifts and talents. Due to Covid, we haven’t held public exhibitions but today with more safety and joy we present our first Acton Academy Oshkosh Spark Studio Exhibition of Chess, the world of Acton Chesslandia. Since we are experiencing a first together I thought it fitting to share how Guides and learners have been reflecting this week and share how you might talk to your child to go deeper after the Exhibition.
This week, Guides asked learners to remember the journey. How did it feel when you started learning chess, how did you feel along the way, how does it feel today? Are you different today than you were the first day of chess? How? Learners shared “I learned all the pieces and I never knew they had names, plus I love trying and planning my moves” “I’m way better now because I practice” “I learned you have to have focus to play chess and you have to be a good sport”.
At Acton we believe that adults MUST resist the urge to step in, make the project better, and tell children what WE think is the right answer. As Acton Owl parents, we invite you to engage your child, hang in there, observe, and get curious! Together, we adults can hold a safe reflective space for a learner to grow. Here’s some questions to try after tonight’s Exhibition and please share if you come up with a question gem!
1. What did you think of your presentation? 2. Would you change anything? 3. Tell me more about how you chose your moves. 4.What would you do differently next time? 5. Did the Exhibition turn out how you imagined? 6. What was your favorite part of tonight’s Exhibition?