X Marks the Spot
The system of checks and X’s is a popular conversation at Acton. This system was created by learners, has gone through many iterations of experimentation, and now is a simple system that learners use and reference often throughout their day. What’s most exciting is this system is always evolving and in negotiation. To onboard you with the basics, X’s are behaviors that break studio promises and checks are model learner behavior. Learner-led accountability and achievement at Acton have taken on greater meaning. Here’s two ways that X’s make their mark.
Many weeks ago I observed that colored stamp pads were being misused in the art room and so I quietly removed the stamp pads and waited to see who would notice. Just the other day I found one learner in AfterCare with an abundance of stamps. She was brilliant because this young 4 year old found another way to stamp, by using markers to create ink! I curiously asked her “Is that how you usually use stamps?” She replied “No, but the stamp pads are gone so this works ok.” Then this became a group discussion and I posed one question “If art room materials are being misused and removed does something need to change in how learners use the art room?” Ideas struck and conversations bursted with systems, levels, X talk and more. That was my cue to walk away, I knew they had this covered. The very next day I walked into the art room to get a pencil and found red X’s written on paper taped to many different materials. I was overwhelmed with pride. Learners created a plan and took action, this was their system, their school.
You may have heard your learner talk to you about X’s and checks during Core Skills. A check means you are staying focused and working by following promises, X’s are distractions. At the end of Core Skills if learners collectively have more checks than X’s on the board they level up in studio freedoms. Two checks cancels out an X.
X’s and checks are used to regulate each studio team and the responsibility of this system has been slowly passed from Guide to learners. This system works great to invite leaders and teamwork however we also have been adopting this system for individual growth as well. Here’s another example of spotting X’s.
At Acton, a learner that goes against studio promises or who is disruptive is given reminders, redirection, and if it continues we have a chat and make a plan to try something different. Recently there were a few learners in the Discovery Studio who were consistently battling a dragon but weren’t changing their battle plan. Dragons are part of every hero’s journey and dragons are our Acton metaphor for really big challenges. Sometimes these challenges are academic such as reading goals, the Subtraction Snake game, or sometimes they are managing your anger, overstimulation, or gaining the courage to voice your opinion.
The X system came into play as learners thought of new ways to battle their social and emotional dragons. Reminders and redirection from Guides and fellow travelers wasn’t working and so two learners who had similar dragons decided they needed an individual X system. If they got 3 X’s before the week is over then parent support was necessary. Next, if more X’s continued then the studio is the jury. This system started working and other learners began to think of their own accountability X’s for their dragons. X’s inspired not only behavioral change but they inspired dragon conversations. One Launch discussion turned into each learner honestly sharing their most challenging dragon: anger, figuring out how to participate with a group, huge energy instead of calmness, focus, crumbling when things feel hard, change. Everyone has a dragon, everyone has some area where we want to grow. X’s can mark the spot for growth! What’s your X dragon?