Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
Oscar Wilde
As we start off the new school year, plenty of questions are buzzing around: Who’s in the bathroom? What time is it? How long should I microwave this for?
But the biggest question we’re exploring together is: What makes me, me?
Our first session is a chance for each learner to begin looking inward—an exploration that will shape how they see the world and how they choose to live in it.
We’re kicking things off with the Build-the-Tribe quest, which is all about helping learners form strong, cooperative relationships. The challenge for our group is to create a Lip Dub—a homemade music video where the learners lip sync and dance to a song of their choice (within reasonable limits). We want to create a community where everyone feels seen, valued, and understood—a tribe where each person’s unique talents and gifts are noticed and appreciated. The connections they build now will be the foundation for their growth throughout the year, and the self-awareness they develop will help guide them along the way.
This first quest is setting the tone for everything that comes next, and so far, it’s been a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all turns out.
Each learner is also creating their own Hero Board—a visual and written elevator pitch of the self. This will help them think about their strengths, interests, and what matters to them. They’ll ask themselves:
– What makes me special?
– What do I bring to this community?
– What are my talents and gifts?
– What do I want others to know about me?
At Acton East Mountains, we’re creating a space where they feel safe to explore, take risks, and learn more about themselves and each other. As a bonus, they’ll learn how not to incinerate a microwave taquito and set off the fire alarm.
Other questions we’ve explored:
What single word would someone really close to you use to describe you? Do you agree?
Can you identify some of your soft skills?
Is it more important to strengthen your talents or to strengthen your weaknesses?
Why was the great Celt warrior, Craith, lonely?
What qualities help Davids to beat Goliaths?
More Fun Recent Photos
