08/31/2026
Young people need some time that isn't already spoken for.
Not every part of the day needs an assignment, an activity, or an adult deciding what comes next.
At Spark, self-direction takes different forms throughout the day. Sometimes learners are working within a shared lesson or goal and making decisions about how they approach the work. At other times, they have much more open space to decide where their time and attention will go.
On this particular afternoon, that looked like two chess games on the floor.
No chess lesson.
No one organized it.
A few learners decided to play, and others joined in.
We create room for moments like this.
Personal electronics stay away during the school day, aside from a short window at lunch. Our learners certainly use technology when it's a useful tool for research, writing, creating, or learning. But we don't want a personal screen to become the automatic answer to every open moment.
We want room to notice the people and possibilities around us.
To start something.
To join something.
To follow an interest.
And, sometimes, to pull a chessboard onto the floor.
Learning how to use your time begins with having meaningful opportunities to decide how to use it.
🧡 Spark ALC
