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Monthly Challenges

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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The Monthly Challenges…

  • Mini-projects that are designed to last a month, and boost students’ focus and attention
  • Launched by you, supported by tutors, regularly referred to as the month goes on
  • Discussed and reported-back-on
  • With rewards, celebrations, reflections
  • Build-in leadership follow-up (students teach yr10s which ones worked best for them etc)

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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  1. September: The Environment Design Challenge
  2. October: The 500 Minutes Challenge
  3. November: The Planning Beats Procrastination Challenge
  4. December: The Teaching-as-Learning Challenge
  5. January: The Passion Trial Challenge

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copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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October

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The 500 minutes challenge

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500 minutes of high-quality, focussed work each week in October

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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Nir Eyal

New York Times Journalist and Author

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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25 minute sprints work because…

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they reaffirm your self-image as someone who can work without distraction.

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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Light Sprint:

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25 on, 5 off, 25 on, 5 off

Total time = 1 hr

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Serious Sprint:

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25 on, 5 off, 25 on, 5 off, 25 on, 5 off, 25 on, 5 off

Total time = 2 hrs

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

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Mon

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8-10am

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10-12

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1-3pm

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3-5pm

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6-8pm

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8-10pm

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Mon

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8-10am

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10-12

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1-3pm

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3-5pm

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6-8pm

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8-10pm

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Mon

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8-10am

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10-12

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1-3pm

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2 x 25

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3-5pm

1 x 25

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1 x 25

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2 x 25

6-8pm

3 x 25

4 x 25

1 x 25

2 x 25

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2 x 25

8-10pm

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1 x 25

1 x 25

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Mon

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8-10am

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10-12

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1-3pm

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2 x 25

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3-5pm

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2 x 25

6-8pm

3 x 25

4 x 25

1 x 25

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2 x 25

8-10pm

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1 x 25

1 x 25

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20 25-minute sprints in a week: 500 minutes of work

(8hrs 20 minutes)

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Commitment:

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Every week in October I will complete 500 minutes of high-quality, focussed work outside of class.

copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy

500 Minutes

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copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy