An Ode to My Shoes! (Year 1, Week 27)
Which of these character traits is the most important on a hero’s journey: curiosity, kindness, patience or courage?
Each session at Heroes Academy we focus on a different character trait and how it relates to being on a hero’s journey. At the start of this week the heroes listed the traits that have been focused on over the last few sessions; curiosity, patience, kindness and courage. But which one is the most important? After discussing and debating this question as a group the heroes were divided between curiosity and courage. As the heroes are challenged to take a stand, give specific evidence and examples and concisely communicate their viewpoint during these discussions, we see them not only discuss these character traits but also embody them more and more on their own journey.
Quest
The week has been a busy one for the E’ship Quest heroes. They have been incentivized to work on completing each of the challenges so far in the quest and those who have will participate in an excursion to visit a local business next Monday.
During Wednesday morning’s launch the heroes discussed the Hero’s Journey after watching a clip from popular TV show, Shark Tank. That afternoon, the heroes were excited to welcome a guest hero to the studio…a wave of recognition slowly made it’s way through the heroes as they realized the guest hero was actually the same guy who they had watched that morning on Shark Tank: entrepreneur and CEO of Proof Eyewear Tanner Dame! The heroes had many questions for him as Tanner shared with the heroes his hero’s journey and starting Proof.
The quest for this week ended on Friday with a competition between two teams, which all the heroes participated in. The activity connected to the other E’ship quest challenges this week that focused on hiring and productivity. The challenge began with considering the question: which is more productive: an assembly line of workers to make a product or each worker making their own from start to finish?
After this, the heroes formed two teams and each team decided on the mode of production they would use for the first 10 minute round: assembly line or individual. The product they were making were paper butterflies to use as decorations at the upcoming children’s business fair. Each butterfly created, that passed quality control, counted as one point. After three rounds of production, and assessing and adjusting their method as needed, the team with the most amount of butterflies was Team Yellow: Lily, Betsy, Kai and Olivia!
Art Challenge
As the weather warms up, the heroes enjoyed an art challenge outside on Tuesday morning. In teams, the heroes created sidewalk art scenes with chalk. Their challenge was to create an artwork that included at least one real person as part of the scene.
Following their art challenge, a discussion about teamwork gave the heroes an opportunity to reflect on the opportunities and challenges of working with others and discuss what they would do differently next time.
Check out these photos of their creative artworks below!:
Writer’s Workshop
The heroes have continued to draft poems this week as part of this session’s Writer’s Workshop. This week the heroes explored free verse poetry and odes. Next week the heroes will decide on which style of poetry they want to use for their final published piece and will begin the peer revision and editing process.
Before the heroes began writing their own odes on Thursday afternoon, we wrote an ode as a group, with everyone contributing a line each. Fitting for our deep dive into entrepreneurship and standing in the shoes of our customers. Enjoy An Ode to My Shoes!:
You are a pillow for my soles,
you keep my feet clean so well.
You protect my feet from rocks,
oh, you are so comfortable.
Your color is so pretty,
you make me dance so well.
You make me feel so safe,
you take me places that are fun.
Even though you’re worn out,
you still protect me.
Your laces are patterned,
you help me to travel around.
Wrapping Up
Whether the heroes were working on core skills, creating an artwork, writing poetry, enjoying free time or competing in a team challenge, the atmosphere of community and joy in the studio has been obvious this week. Several lessons are being learned as heroes learn about freedom, choice, and accountability.
An example of the type of studio that is being created can be summed up by one of the town hall meeting topics today brought up by one of the heroes. “How can we help [hero]. They seem to be struggling and need some accountability and encouragement.” Another surprise as guides witness the power of a tribe on a mission to change the world.
