ON TRUSTING THE CHILDREN
After a grueling twenty minutes, the fish was up thrashing near the boat. The captain was ready with his large net – his one job was to get the fish in the boat.
Independent Learning
WILL MY CHILD SUCCEED AT ACTON ACADEMY?
As we contemplate the beginning of a new year, you may be asking yourself these questions: What does “success” mean to our family in relation to the Acton experience? Is there a magical secret that will help my Eagle progress steadily?
WHY TRAVEL IS PART OF THE ACTON ACADEMY JOURNEY
Travel is the best antidote to the fear we may have of people who live differently. It dispels discomfort of the unknown and slashes pride. Travel simply swells the heart like nothing else.
THREE ODD THINGS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS SUMMER
Jesus said it’s not remarkable to love the love-able. Anyone can do that. Then he said his most radical statement: “Love your enemy.”
A BEAR, A BIRTHDAY CAKE AND A CUP OF HOT CHOCOLATE – YOUR TICKET TO INNER PEACE?
As we enter the season of busy-ness, I crave the inner calm I so easily access on summer mornings when the clock doesn’t tick so fast. And not just for myself. I yearn for my children to handily retrieve their own sense of peace and with it, the ability to focus.
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
There is a much more important question: What do you want?
I often forget to consider the desire in their hearts. When I focus merely on the external
TWO BIG ROCKS AT ACTON ACADEMY: PE AND ART
Scooping the sand in the vessel, I shared that it represents all the little things we do every day that aren’t important. Scrolling through Instagram is a big scoop of sand. I then tossed in the small rocks – the things we do that are more important than the sand but that don’t have severe negative consequences if we don’t do them.
I MISSED A VERY BIG THING
In the Acton community, we are all learners – children, guides, parents. For parents, the learning often includes unlearning or relearning what we thought we had mastered.
THE FUNNY TWIST OF INDEPENDENT LEARNING
During the early years at Acton, all sights are on the blue binder on the shelf: The Independent Learner Binder. Eagles earn the privilege of receiving the binder only after mastering specific learning milestones.
HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD BE AN INDEPENDENT LEARNER AT HOME?
At Acton Academy, “independent learning” is the first level of lifelong learning. From 1st grade through 5th grade, our students gain the skills, knowledge, experience and character traits to earn the badge, “Independent Learner.” In middle school, they begin the path to becoming running partners. (Note the growth into interdependence from independence.)
