Hi there! I want to share with you what a day is like as a learner at Acton Academy Concord. I really love my school and hope this will help parents understand it is a great place for their children to learn to learn, do, and be.
Starting the Day with Excitement
Each morning starts with a delicious breakfast that one of my parents makes. It is usually eggs or a bowl of cereal. After breakfast, I get to make my lunch. I make a sandwich or put some leftovers in a container (my favorite is spaghetti), and then I choose a fruit and a couple of other snacks. I make sure my water bottle is full, then go brush my teeth (don't tell my parents, but sometimes I forget this part). We try to leave by 8:10 because I really like to get to school as soon as a guide unlocks the door at 8:30.
When I arrive at Acton, I usually see at least one of my friends waiting in their car for the door to open. We are always excited to go inside. Ms. Jana or Ms. Yang is always there to greet us. Sometimes, they ask us if we want a handshake, a high-five, or a hug. I usually pick a high-five.
Morning Meetings — The Fun Begins!
After some free time, we hear the morning alarm (one of the Eagles sets alarms on the iPad, to help us be on time throughout the day), we head to the Nest for our launch of the day. At launch we solve problems together, discuss a conundrum, or share what we are excited to learn or accomplish that day.
Today, we played a game that we call "Agree, Disagree," where we hear a statement, then we stand up and move to the Agree side or the Disagree side. We stand strong on our choice and tell why we chose it, trying to change the minds of those that are on the opposite side. We earn points by sharing original ideas and getting others to change their minds. After the game, we shared our "Eat that Frog" task. That is something you have been putting off or just do not want to do. I mentioned that I need to finish my math course challenge. It is hard and takes a long time, so I have been putting it off. My friends encouraged me, and their support made me feel confident to dive into my math and get it done!
Individual Work — The Freedom to Explore!
After our morning meeting, we break into our individual work time, which we call Core Skills. This is my favorite time because we can choose what we want to do first. When we finish our SMART goals, we get a green light, then get to do other learning.
While some kids play math games, others experiment with hands-on science projects. I find a cozy reading nook and read about World War I or II, then play chess with another eagle.
The teachers at Acton Academy are actually called guides because they guide us to find the answers to our questions and are incredibly supportive. They provide guidance but also give us the freedom to take ownership of our learning. They know that they can trust us to be in charge of our learning and help each other when we need it. A lot of adults don't, so it is really awesome!
Lunch Break — Free Time!
After a busy morning filled with learning, it’s finally lunchtime! I love lunch because it’s a time to relax and catch up with my friends.
Today, I packed a turkey sandwich and an apple. When the weather is nice, we enjoy eating outside and talking about movies and our favorite video games. Eating in the sun just feels extra special!
Sometimes, we play tag, shoot baskets, or stay inside to build a fort; whatever we choose, it gives us a great energy boost before we head back to learning.
Afternoon Adventures
The afternoon starts with a read-aloud, where a guide reads to us while we relax and enjoy the story. We just finished Wonder by R.J. Palacio. It was really good and made me almost cry twice! After reading aloud, we do D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read, but we don't really drop stuff).
Quest time is next. This is when we learn and complete science, history, or other challenges. My favorite quest so far has been the Newton's Toy Shop Quest. We learned a lot about physics, then got to choose one of Newton's Laws to create a toy about. I chose Newton's third law, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." I made a toy car with a balloon on the back. When the balloon is inflated and then the air is let out, the car races across the floor. It was not an original toy, but it was fun to make and to play with!
We get to learn by doing, and it’s so much fun!
End of Day
As our day comes to an end, we reset our studio for the next day, making sure everything is clean and organized. We gather for another meeting, which we call "landing," and we rate the day from 1 to 10, share our high and low of the day, and then talk about the next day. It is interesting to hear what my friends plan to do the next day or what was hard for them that day. I like to help or give advice.
We always Namaste as a whole group, then gather our things and head home.
Conclusion
So, that’s a glimpse into a day in my life at Acton Academy Concord! From morning meetings to thrilling experiments and stories, I now look forward to school every day.
The best school experience doesn’t have to be boring, scary, or too hard. Here, I feel excited about learning, my friendships, and getting to make choices.
If you’re considering a great private school for your child, Acton Academy Concord has truly changed my life. I can't wait to see what we get to do tomorrow!
Thanks for taking the time to read about my day. I hope it inspires you to learn more about our school and maybe even come for a visit!
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