Every week, you will add a new entry to your Academy Logbook as you explore the world of IK2W. You might uncover a mystery, discover a hidden piece of Academy history, solve a problem, or help shape what happens next.

But here is where it gets interesting: you are not just reading the history of the IK2W Academy. You are helping write it.

Throughout the quarter, I will choose some of the most creative, thoughtful, and well-written student entries to become part of the Official Academy Logbook, where they will be published for others to read. Will one of your entries become part of Academy history?

Click the button below to open the Official Academy Logbook and see what has already been discovered. (Note: It will take a week of two for entries to start appearing)

This Week’s Assignment:
Every building at the Academy was created with a purpose. Choose one location and explain how its design helps writers grow. Then recommend one improvement that would make it even more effective.

Academy Logbook

Project #1

Inside the Academy Inventors’ Workshop, creative minds are constantly searching for better ways to solve everyday problems. The Workshop is looking for its next great idea, and you have been invited to create an original invention.

Your challenge is to identify a problem, design an invention that solves it, and explain your idea clearly enough that the Academy Inventors’ Workshop can understand exactly how it would work.

Step 1: Imagine

Great inventions often begin with a simple thought: “There has to be a better way.” Instead of immediately trying to invent something, begin by noticing problems.

Think about your own life, your family, school, animals, transportation, sports, technology, the environment, entertainment, or everyday tasks.

What is something that annoys me?
What takes too much time?
What is unnecessarily difficult?
What do people frequently forget?
What is something people struggle to do?
What could be safer?
What could be easier?
What could be more efficient?
What could technology help us do better?
What problem do I wish someone would solve?
What doesn’t exist yet that I wish did?

Begin with the problem, not the invention. “What could be better?” Sometimes the first solution will be obvious. Push beyond it.

Imagine several possible ways to solve the problem before choosing the idea you think has the most potential.

Step 2: Question

Now put your invention to the test. An interesting idea is only the beginning. An inventor has to think about whether the idea could actually solve the problem it was designed to fix.

What problem does my invention solve?
Who experiences this problem?
Who would use my invention?
What exactly does my invention do?
How does it work?
What does it look like?
What is it made from?
How big or small is it?
Does it need electricity, batteries, an app, or another source of power?
How does someone use it?
What happens from the moment someone starts using it until the task is complete?
Does anything similar already exist?
How is my invention different?
Could my invention accidentally create another problem?
Is it safe?
Is it practical?
What could go wrong?
How could I improve it?
What is the most important feature of my invention?
Why would this invention make someone’s life better?

What we are building this week…

Homework

Week 1:

Homework is due by 7 am on the day of your class. Any homework submitted after that is considered late. That means, you are not allowed to finish it right before class. If you do, it will still be incomplete as I will have already checked your work. Please plan ahead!

Start exploring the IK2W World! This week: The Story of Flicker, Introduction, IK2W Academy, and The Firefly Path. Of course, you are welcome to visit more locations. The button to enter the world is at the top of this page.
Logbook entry: Finish what you did not complete in class. See above for assignment details. (Week 1 Logbook)
Journal: Keep working in your journal. Remember, if you are stuck, go to the “What goes in here?” page in your notebook for ideas. (Entry 1)
Grammar: Finish your noun & pronoun sentences in your notebook (W1 Grammar). Don’t forget to double check your work!
Project work: Finish step 1 & 2. (Project 1 Invention for step 1 & Question for step 2) The questions you need to ask and answer are above. Make sure to copy and paste them into your notebook and put a lot of thought into your invention. Be ready to explain it next week.

Note: I have listed in parenthesis ( ) where each assignment should go in your notebook. If it is not in the correct section, I will think your homework is incomplete.

Class: Level G

Student Notebooks

Academy Logbook – Weekly Warm Up