Laura Sandefer, Author at Acton Academy Kennebunkport

December 2, 20240Comments

Ten Things that Don’t Require Talent

By Laura Sandefer June 20, 2016 What if we relaxed our obsession with developing talent for a bit and encouraged our children on 10 things that require none but determine so

by Laura Sandefer

October 1, 20240Comments

You Have To Want To Be Smart

By Laura Sandefer November 2, 2019 “You don’t have to be smart to go to Acton. You have to want to be smart.” – Matteo, an Acton Academy middle school Eagle Though merely

by Laura Sandefer

August 26, 20240Comments

Freedom With Responsibility

by Laura Sandefer February 16, 2021 With deep respect for the work of Dr. Maria Montessori, we layer onto our design of the Acton learner-driven community element: freedom with responsibility. In its

by Laura Sandefer

August 12, 20240Comments

Back To The Basics: What Does It Really Mean To Be Learner-Driven?

by Laura Sandefer January 31, 2021 With over 200 Acton Academies and 600 Acton Children’s Business Fairs around the world it’s easy to get overwhelmed in trying to figure out the

by Laura Sandefer

August 7, 20240Comments

Mindset, Mindset, Mindset

By Laura Sandefer June 28, 2021 Like location is to real estate, mindset is to learning. A fixed mindset is a dead-end to lifelong learning. A growth mindset is its rocket fuel. I

by Laura Sandefer

July 24, 20240Comments

What Does It Take To Thrive At Acton Academy?

By Laura Sandefer March 14, 2018 We can boil the Acton Academy systems to just two choices that ensure a happy, fruitful learning journey: Be kind. Do some work every day. Simple,

by Laura Sandefer

May 13, 20240Comments

Frequent Public Exhibitions Of Learning

By Laura Sandefer February 22, 2021 When Jeff and I started Acton Academy, we wondered how we could prove learning beyond simply giving a test, the antithesis of a learner-driven experience. In

by Laura Sandefer

April 29, 20240Comments

10 Easy Ways To Crush A Child’s Soul

By Laura Sandefer April 22, 2016 Our souls, that treasured light within each of us, reveal who we were born to be. Each soul is shy and tender; therefore, easily crushed.

by Laura Sandefer

April 8, 20240Comments

How Children Become Writers At Acton Academy

By Laura Sandefer December 16, 2021 Acton turns the traditional method of teaching writing upside down. In our studios, the love of writing comes first. Then comes the appreciation for grammar. As

by Laura Sandefer

April 2, 20240Comments

Essential Element: Mixed Age Studios

By Laura Sandefer February 8, 2021 The element that promises an Acton learner-driven experience will thrive is also the simplest of all: the mixed-age environment. Children are teachers and learners. They learn

by Laura Sandefer

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